Latest news with #AmericanMosquitoControlAssociation
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Forget garlic, experts say use DEET to fight off mosquito bites
(NewsNation) — If you are looking to avoid mosquito bites this summer, scientists say eating garlic or rubbing it on your body won't help. While studies in recent years have found that applying essential oils to skin, including garlic oil, can briefly deter mosquito bites, experts say there are far more effective repellents. 'As a repellent, I think it's extremely mild at best,' Daniel Markowski, a technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association said in an interview with The Washington Post. Senate megabill marks biggest Medicaid cuts in history According to the AMCA, a chemical mixture known as DEET has been considered the gold standard of mosquito repellents for more than 50 years. It can be applied directly onto skin or clothing and is available in a variety of formats, including liquids, sprays and lotions. In 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a review of DEET and did not identify any risks of concern to human health. It is important to note that DEET can cause skin irritation, so experts advise against using it in excess, inhaling it or using it on skin that is already irritated or has wounds. Former FDA chief: Ultraprocessed foods are 'addictive' like drugs The AMCA notes that there are more than 3,000 different species of mosquitos throughout the world, 176 of which are recognized in the U.S. While most mosquito bites result in small, red, itchy bumps, experts advising seeking medical attention if symptoms worsen as mosquitos can spread illnesses like the West Nile virus and Zika. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Washington Post
01-07-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Garlic as a mosquito repellent? Here's what the science says.
Is it true that eating garlic or rubbing it on the skin can repel mosquitoes? It sounds plausible that garlic — a plant known for its pungent odor — would repel mosquitoes. Eating garlic, for instance, might seem like an easy way to ward off the pesky insects. 'But it doesn't quite do what you would think garlic would do, with it being so smelly,' said Daniel Markowski, a technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why Mosquitoes Are Getting More Dangerous—And What You Can Do About It
Texas officials are warning residents to brace themselves—not for hurricanes or heatwaves, but for something far smaller and deadlier: mosquitoes. Thanks to recent storms and rising global temperatures, health officials say mosquito season is arriving early, lasting longer, and becoming far more dangerous, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Experts are sounding the alarm as conditions across the South, from Texas to Florida, create a perfect breeding ground for the so-called deadliest animal on the planet. 'Mosquito seasons are running longer than before,' said Marcel Elizondo, head of Austin's Environmental Health Services division. 'We're seeing more standing water, more heat, and more ideal conditions for mosquito reproduction.' That's bad news when you consider what mosquitoes actually bring with them. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes kill over 1 million people a year worldwide, not directly, but by spreading devastating diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and West Nile. Malaria alone is responsible for more than 600,000 preventable deaths annually, and U.S. cases of West Nile and Zika are climbing in southern states. "Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on the planet," Bethany Bolling, who leads virus testing for the Texas Department of State Health Services, told KAXN. Climate change is supercharging the threat. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, warmer temperatures speed up mosquito lifecycles, increase biting rates, and accelerate the disease incubation process inside the insect. Add in flooding and standing water from spring storms, and you've got a perfect storm. What can you do? Public health officials recommend draining standing water from gutters, buckets, and flower pots, fixing leaks, and treating ponds with mosquito dunks. If you're hiking or camping, DEET-based repellents and full-coverage clothing are your best bet. This isn't just about comfort. It's about stopping a silent killer from getting louder and protecting your health while enjoying the Mosquitoes Are Getting More Dangerous—And What You Can Do About It first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025
