The Mighty Mosquito - July 18, 2006

Consider the humble mosquito. Only 15 mm in length and 2 mg in weight, yet still a health hazard to many, an annoying pest to most, and a vampire in the strictest sense.  This disease-spreading parasite is not without its interesting points, though. The Culicidae (or "skeeter" to you) dates back more than 140 million years, when it hobnobbed with the dinosaurs.  And were it not for the New Jersey State bird's ability to spread malaria, Napoleon might never have agreed to sell a good chunk of North America to Thomas Jefferson.  Of course, even these fun facts don't mean you should befriend the mosquito. She (female mosquitoes do the biting) can still pack a mean wallop, health-wise. From encephalitis and dengue fever to Yellow Fever and West Nile Virus, the mosquito can spread them all.  And don't think garlic can protect you, either. Only chemicals like DEET can keep the little buggers from biting. Suggested Sites... Fight the Bite! - the Centers for Disease Control give hints on how to keep from getting bitten. Wikipedia: Mosquito - facts and figures about the insect that is, pound for pound, one of the world's most dangerous. 14 Not-So-Fun Facts About Mosquitoes - bet you didn't know they can smell the carbon dioxide you exhale from 60 feet away. How Stuff Works: Mosquitoes - operating instructions and how to get rid of them. Tiny Mosquito - Bite Treatment - Okay, they got you. Now what do you do?