Mosquitos can make life miserable. Many recreational and work activities have been ruined by the constant annoyance and irritation caused by their presence. Some species can transmit serious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue, filariasis and encephalitis [St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), Western Equine encephalitis (WEE), LaCrosse encephalitis (LAC), Japanese encephalitis (JE), Eastern Equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV)] to humans and animals.
Their attacks on farm animals can cause loss of weight and decreased milk production. Mosquitos carry the highest amounts of the West Nile virus in the early fall, which is why the rate of the disease increases in late August to early September. The risk of disease decreases as the weather becomes colder and mosquitos die off. Although many people are bitten by mosquitos that carry West Nile virus, most do not know they’ve been exposed. Few people develop severe disease or even notice any symptoms at all.
General mosquito information from the University of KY >