Mosquitoes have been kept away from humans and animals using smoke from fires. The ancient Egyptians and Romans rubbed themselves with highly odorous plants. At the beginning of this century, numerous mosquito balms of plants like clove, cinnamon, lavender, camphor, etc. were developed. The best was citronella oil, which is extracted from a tropical ryegrass. […]
Transmission of disease
As mentioned, there are malaria mosquitoes in Denmark; however, the malaria has died out. Malaria parasites are not present in Denmark. Therefore, it is not dangerous to be bitten by mosquitoes in Denmark. They are not suspected of transmitting serious diseases. It has been discussed whether mosquitoes can transmit infectious jaundice or AIDS to humans. […]
Control
In Denmark, mosquitoes are not of importance as related to public health, and eradication campaigns have been abandoned. The campaigns were carried out in the 1960s and 70s, where puddles and ditches were sprayed with diesel oil in an attempt to suffocate the larvae, and large meadows were treated with insecticide. A more reasonable approach […]
Mosquito bites
Most mosquitoes can lay a few eggs even if they do not get to a single drop of blood. They simply tap into their food reserves or produce some eggs at the expense of the flying muscles. In order to exploit its possibilities to lay eggs to the full, the female mosquito will attempt to […]
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes, of the family Culicidae, are slim, elegant, 5-6 mm long, grayish midge-like flies. There are also some peaceful midges, which are similar to the mosquito in appearance, for example the non-biting midges or chironomids, which are often seen in large swarms over lakes and bays. Mosquitoes are characterized by the long, thin, flexible proboscis […]
Mosquitoes and flies
Mosquitoes and flies make up the insect order, which is called dipterans (Diptera). They have, in contrast to most other insects, only one pair of wings. The second pair of wings is small, knobbed structures modified from the hind wings. These are called halteres and are help the insect balance during flight. The larvae are […]