How Long do Mosquito Bites Last?
How long will you have to deal with this itchy annoying bug bite? Well, it depends on how sensitive you are to bug bites. Female mosquitoes bite you so they can drink your blood. They then use your blood to help them have the resources needed to produce eggs. Mosquito bites itch because the mosquito's saliva. That saliva is left behind on your skin and it triggers your immune system. So, the area of the bite becomes inflamed. So as weird as it sounds, it is the saliva that really causes the biggest problem. That itchy, red, swollen bump is caused by bug spit. So, how long do mosquito bites last? That depends on how sensitive you are to the bites and how quickly you treat the bite.
How to Treat Mosquito Bites
- Wash the bite and the area surrounding the bite with soap and cool water
- Apply Calmoseptine or an anti-itch cream
- Apply a reusable ice pack to the bite
- Take over-the-counter antihistamine, follow the given recommendations
When You Should Seek Medical Care
It might sound crazy but sometimes it is necessary to seek medical attention for a mosquito bite. Sometimes even a simple bug bite can cause an allergic reaction which in some rare cases cause anaphylactic shock. This is really rare though, but you should not ignore the symptoms either.
When You Should Call a Doctor about Your Mosquito Bite
- Breathing problems, shortness of breath, feeling like you can't take a deep breath
- Hives or the bite becomes very swollen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
How to Avoid Getting Bit by Mosquitoes
There are small steps you can take to avoid all those biting mosquitoes. The best thing you can do is stay indoors at dawn and dusk. The early evening can also be prime bug biting time. If possible, try to wear long pants and long sleeves when you are outside. With your skin covered there is less of you for the bugs to find. Any exposed skin should get a light covering of bug spray, it is best to use one that has DEET. You can also walk around your property and remove any sources of standing water. Even small puddles can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Fill up any areas of standing water with soil or drain them of water. Drain any empty planters, or any other form of standing water. If you have a pool, make sure the chlorine levels are good to go. When you are inside the house, keep windows without screens closed and try to avoid leaving doors open for long periods of time. You should also check all of the screens on your windows and doors for small tears or holes. These are small insects; it doesn't take much for them to sneak inside.
What are Plants that Repel Mosquitoes?
It is hard to believe but if you enjoy gardening you can make your yard less friendly to mosquitoes. It turns out that there are many plants that these blood thirsty flying pests just do not like. Many of these plants are actually easy to plant and care for, even by novice gardeners! So, if it is possible, head to a local plant nursery and add some of these mosquito repellent plants to your yard today.
Plants that Repel Mosquitoes:
- Citronella, this beautiful perennial plant is an ingredient in a lot of insect repellents, but you can also plant it
- Marigolds, these are hardy annual plants that are easy to grow and hated by bugs
- Basil, this is a great choice because when it is not repelling bugs it can be picked to make your summer tomato recipes even better
- Peppermint, this plant smells amazing to us, but bugs hate it, it can also be added to tea
- Geraniums, this plant likes to live in hanging planters which is not only beautiful to look at but can keep those mosquitoes off your porch
