Mosquitoes transmit a startling number of diseases, well over a dozen significant ones worldwide, which is why they're considered the deadliest animal on the planet. Diseases they carry include malaria, dengue, Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, West Nile virus, and Eastern equine encephalitis.
Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world, and it’s not close. It’s reasonable to be worried about the diseases that they carry.
Worldwide, mosquitoes spread more than a dozen major diseases. Malaria alone kills hundreds of thousands of people every year. Add dengue, which causes tens of millions of cases annually, plus Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, and others, and mosquitoes end up causing more human deaths than any other animal. And it’s not close: mosquitoes beat snakes on deadliness by a factor of 20; and crocodiles by a factor of 1,000.
Different mosquito species carry different pathogens, and there are thousands of mosquito species worldwide. The good news is that most of them are not in Grand Rapids or anywhere else in Michigan. Around here, the two main concerns are West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis. The former is more common but usually mild and occasionally serious. The latter is rare, but has a very high fatality rate.
There's one more to add for pet owners. Mosquitoes transmit heartworm to dogs, which is the reason veterinarians push year-round heartworm prevention.
You cannot tell which mosquitoes carry disease by looking at them. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your risk, your best bet is to reduce the mosquitoes around you.
If you're tired of sharing your yard with the deadliest animal on earth, Mosquito Squad of Grand Rapids can help. Mosquito Squad reduces the mosquito population around your home, helping protect your family with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
