Latest news with #BethanyBolling
Yahoo
2 days ago
- 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
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Health officials sound alarm as 'deadliest animal on the planet' spreads across southern US — here's what you need to know
Officials in Texas have sounded the alarm after recent storms left prime breeding conditions just in time for peak mosquito season, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Local experts are particularly concerned about the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile and Zika. Already facing an uphill battle as rising global temperatures expand peak mosquito season beyond its traditional dates, Texas officials in charge of managing mosquito populations now must combat high levels of standing water and hot, humid conditions perfect for mosquito reproduction, per the American-Statesman. "We've seen the weather changing over the years here in Austin, and as a result, we've seen mosquito seasons running longer than before," Marcel Elizondo, chief of Austin's Environmental Health Services division, said in a statement. Mosquitoes are an annoyance for some; for others, they can be deadly. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, over 1 million people around the world die every single year from mosquito-borne diseases. "Mosquitos are the deadliest animals on the planet," Bethany Bolling, who oversees mosquito virus testing at the Texas Department of State Health Services, told KXAN. Mosquitoes transmit disease through their bites, spreading deadly illnesses like malaria and dengue in addition to West Nile and Zika, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malaria alone is responsible for over 600,000 preventable deaths annually. Mosquitoes are a prime example of the negative impacts that rising global temperatures have on human health. In addition to hotter temperatures, changes in weather patterns are causing increased rainfall in certain areas, creating the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Rising temperatures can influence the way mosquitoes spread disease in other ways, too. "Studies show that warmer temperatures associated with climate change can accelerate mosquito development, biting rates, and the incubation of the disease within a mosquito," according to the EPA. Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites? Absolutely Only when I'm camping or hiking Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While public health officials monitor mosquito populations and test breeding grounds for diseases like West Nile, there are several things that you can do to help protect yourself and your family. First, try to eliminate all standing water, as that is the primary breeding ground for mosquitoes. This includes places like clogged gutters, plant saucers, buckets, and toys, according to Austin Public Health. If you have bird baths or other outdoor water for animals, make sure to change it at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from developing. Next, make sure to repair all leaky faucets and pipes, as these can provide sources of the moisture mosquitoes need to reproduce. Similarly, if you have a rainwater cistern, make sure it is properly sealed to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Finally, if you have permanent standing water on your property, such as a pond, you can purchase a mosquito dunk, which contains a biological larvicide that will kill young mosquitoes, per Austin Public Health. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
