Summer in New York: how to protect yourself from mosquitoes

Summer is often the favorite season of the city, even among the inhabitants of megacities, but this time of year there is a huge drawback - the activity of mosquitoes. Laura Harrington, a professor of entomology and a mosquito expert from Cornell University, told us which mosquitoes are to be feared by the residents of the city, and how to deal with them.

When the "mosquito season" begins in New York Depending on the weather, it lasts approximately from the end of April to October, but due to warming this time interval will increase every year, says Professor Harington. What kinds of mosquitoes live in New York? Of the 60 mosquito species in this part of America, only a few bite.

One of them is the kind of mosquito Culex, better known as the northern home mosquito. It's he who bites at dusk or at dawn. A much more dangerous species is the Asian tiger mosquito. He is more aggressive and can bite people all day long, "- says the professor. According to her, last year in New York the peak of activity of the Asian tiger mosquito came in the middle of July.

The mosquito bites both animals and humans, and its bites are quite painful. In addition, he is the carrier of the virus Zeka. Is it worthwhile for New Yorkers to worry about Zeke? According to Laura Harington, while in New York there is not one officially confirmed case of Zick's virus because of a mosquito bite.

Last year, more than a thousand residents were infected with the virus, but this happened outside the state. Although the risk of getting infected from a tiger mosquito is minimal, it still exists. Is it true that some people "love" mosquitoes especially "Yes, but scientists do not know why. It is only known that each person has a unique "smell", and some smells like mosquitoes more. But there is no evidence that this is affected by blood type or skin color. However, studies have shown that alcohol in the blood really attracts mosquitoes, "- said the professor.

How to Avoid Bites There are two effective repellents: DEET and Picaridin. And if you are still bitten, the itching is well helped by a solution of calamine.