Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Mosquitoes are infamous for their bites. Female mosquitoes use their proboscis to pierce skin and feed on blood. Mosquitoes don’t only bite humans, but also small birds and mammals. These bites can cause marks and rashes on the skin.

More infamously, mosquito bites are linked to a number of transmitted diseases worldwide. Luckily, mosquito-borne diseases in North Carolina are rare. Nonetheless, a mosquito bite is something no one wants to deal with.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Female mosquitoes bite in order to retrieve the nutrients within our blood. These nutrients are necessary for the development of eggs. So, once a female mosquito bites, she is able to breed and lay eggs. Male mosquitoes do not bite. While we refer to this activity as “biting”, in reality, the female mosquito is piercing your skin with her proboscis, almost like a needle. The proboscis contains two tubes, unlike just the one in a hypodermic syringe. One of these tubes inject saliva that contains a mix of chemicals to reduce pain, thin your blood and prevent it from clotting. The other is used to suck up the blood.

Mosquito Bite Symptoms in North Carolina

Mosquito bites most frequently occur on exposed parts of the body. The most common mosquito bite symptoms include:

Pinkish red bumps that are itchy will form just minutes after the mosquito pierces the skin.
Over the next day or two, these bumps can become redder and darken.
The bump from a mosquito bite is less than ½ inch across.
The most common mosquito bite symptom is itching. Scratching at the bites can worsen the symptoms and cause bruising or rashes.
In severe cases, fever, severe headaches, nausea, and fatigue can be a sign of a serious problem. Always consult a medical professional when experiencing these symptoms.