Mosquitoes are one of the most common spring and summer pests on Long Island. So whether you’re a guaranteed mosquito magnet every time you walk outside or you happen to get a couple unlucky bites, here’s how to get those bites to stop itching.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?
First and foremost, preventing itchy mosquito bites starts with understanding why mosquitoes bite in the first place!
Mosquitoes bite humans and animals because they need to obtain a vital protein that’s found in blood which is essential in their development and reproduction. Mosquitoes are usually opportunistic when it comes to who and what they bite, however many studies suggest mosquitoes prefer biting some over others. Reportedly, people with type O blood, higher-than-average carbon dioxide exhalation, pregnant people, and even individuals wearing dark colors are some of their favorites to bite.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch? 
Mosquitoes use their mouthparts when biting a host; these are essentially like straws, allowing the mosquito to not only pierce the skin of the human or animal, but also draw their blood. During this process, the mosquito also injects some of its own saliva into the affected area.
Mosquito saliva contains two key itchy components: an anticoagulant, which prevents blood from clotting around the mosquito’s mouth, as well as proteins, which release histamine. Histamine is a compound which enables the body’s white blood cells to access an affected area; when there is increased blood flow to a bitten area, the body experiences inflammation, swelling, and in turn, itching.
What to Put on Mosquito Bites
If you’ve gotten one or more mosquito bites and the itching has kicked in, it’s important to resist the urge to scratch those itchy bites, as doing so can not only make the itching even worse as the skin becomes inflamed, but also lead to broken skin and infection.
For mosquito bite treatment, the CDC recommends first washing the affected area with soap and water, then applying an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching. Then, it’s recommended to mix a tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to create a paste, apply that paste to the mosquito bite, wait 10 minutes, then wash off the paste. The CDC also recommends using an over-the-counter antihistamine or anti-itch cream to relieve itching.
How to Prevent Mosquito Bites
The best way to prevent mosquito bites starts with professional mosquito control from Suburban Exterminating. Mosquitoes need water sources to reproduce, so eliminating any potential sources of standing water, such as plant pots, buckets, your children’s outdoor toys, any tires or containers you have outside, and your pool, can help minimize the mosquito population in your yard. Keeping your grass and hedges short is another way to prevent water from collecting and turning your yard into a mosquito breeding ground.
Protect Your Family and Pets from Mosquito Bites This Summer
The most effective way to prevent mosquito bites on yourself, your family, and your pets this summer is by reducing the mosquito population in your yard with a regular mosquito control service from Suburban Exterminating.
Our team of state-certified, licensed pest control technicians starts by identifying mosquito breeding sources on your property, then follows up with mosquito treatments every two weeks with our eco-friendly, child and pet-safe mosquito control spray.
For a limited time, we’re offering 20% off 6 mosquito treatments, all backed by our Mosquito-Free Guarantee (if the mosquitoes return, so do we)!
Don’t let mosquitoes bite you and your family this summer! For a free mosquito estimate, call (631/516) 864-6900.
