In some cases, mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis, both of which are present in New Jersey.
For the vast majority of people, a mosquito bite means a red, itchy bump that goes away in a few days. That's the good news. The bad news is that "usually harmless" isn't the same as "always harmless," and it's reasonable to want to know where the line is.
Mosquitoes can transmit several diseases, including West Nile virus. New Jersey has reported cases of West Nile virus in recent years, though they remain thankfully rare. The majority of people who are infected don’t show symptoms, but a small percentage develop fever, body aches, and in rare cases, serious neurological complications.
There is also the risk of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). It’s rarer, but a lot more severe, and has a high fatality rate among those who develop symptoms. Survivors often face lasting neurological damage. New Jersey is one of the states where EEE-carrying mosquitoes have been found, particularly near swamps and marshes.
Allergic reactions are also another area of concern, particularly for kids. Some people develop larger-than-n0rmal swelling around the bite (sometimes playfully called “skeeter syndrome”). It’s uncomfortable, though not life-threatening.
Thankfully, a single mosquito bite is unlikely to cause serious harm. That doesn’t mean you want to simply tolerate bites, though. Over the course of a summer, hundreds of bites can increase your odds of falling ill with mosquito-borne illness.
If you're tired of dealing with mosquitoes on your Jersey Shore property, Mosquito Squad of the Jersey Shore can help. A technician can treat the areas where mosquitoes rest and breed across your yard, reducing the population by up to 90% for 21 days at a time. This is one of the best steps you can take to reduce your level of exposure to mosquito-borne illness.
