The main health threat from mosquitoes is disease: an infected mosquito can pass viruses or parasites to people through its bite, and West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the contiguous United States, according to CDC. Most bites only itch, but avoiding bites and removing standing water lower the risk of the rarer serious infections. Saela Pest Control, a residential and commercial pest control company based in Orem, Utah, treats yards for mosquitoes as part of its services. This overview covers the diseases mosquitoes carry and the practical steps that reduce bites at home.
Why Mosquitoes Are a Health Concern
- Disease carriers: Mosquitoes are vectors, which the World Health Organization describes as living organisms that can transmit infectious pathogens between people or from animals to people. Its list of mosquito-borne diseases includes malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever and West Nile fever.
- Global toll: The World Health Organization’s fact sheet on vector-borne diseases reports that these diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases and cause more than 700,000 deaths a year. Malaria and dengue, both spread by mosquitoes, account for a large share of those deaths.
- Few vaccines or medicines: For several mosquito-borne diseases, avoiding bites is the main protection. CDC states that no licensed vaccines or medicines are available to prevent or treat West Nile virus disease in people, and no vaccines or medicines are available to prevent or treat Zika.
- Breeding in small amounts of water: Only female mosquitoes bite, because they need blood to produce eggs. CDC’s guide to the Aedes mosquito life cycle notes that females lay eggs on the inner walls of water-holding containers, the eggs can survive drying out for up to 8 months, and an egg can become an adult in 7 to 10 days.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases to Know
- Zika: Zika spreads mainly through the bites of infected mosquitoes, and it can also pass through sex and from mother to baby during pregnancy. The illness is usually mild, according to CDC, with fever, rash, headache, joint and muscle pain and red eyes, but infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.
- West Nile virus: Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms, according to CDC. Some develop fever with headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, and a small number develop severe illness that affects the central nervous system; Saela’s overview of West Nile virus covers the virus in more detail.
- Dengue: CDC reports that about one in four people infected with dengue get sick, most often with fever plus aches and pains, nausea, vomiting or rash. About 1 in 20 people who get sick develop severe dengue, which can become life-threatening within a few hours and often needs hospital care.
- Chikungunya: The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. CDC notes that no medicines are available to treat chikungunya; rest, fluids and over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen can relieve some symptoms (CDC advises against aspirin and other NSAIDs until dengue has been ruled out), and vaccination is recommended for some travelers.
These are only a few of the infections mosquitoes can carry, and which ones matter depends on where you live and travel. Your state or local health department is the best place to check current activity near you. If you develop a fever or other symptoms after mosquito bites, especially after travel, talk with a health care provider.
Reducing mosquitoes around your home starts with standing water. CDC recommends that once a week you empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out anything that holds water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools and birdbaths, and that you install or repair window and door screens. For more yard-level steps, see what attracts mosquitoes to your yard.
When cleanup isn’t enough, Saela’s mosquito control service uses mist treatments aimed at resting sites such as shaded foliage and areas beneath porches, along with guidance on reducing standing water. The work follows Saela’s integrated pest management cycle of identification, activity monitoring, targeted treatment and evaluation, with adjustments based on results. Treatment reduces mosquito activity around the yard, but it works best alongside weekly water checks and personal bite protection.
In a March 2026 HomeAdvisor review, Pearl M. reported seeing dead insects after the first treatment and rated the service 5 out of 5.
Plans depend on the property: Saela quotes pest control based on pest type, location, property size, visit frequency and treatment products, and its pricing page explains how plans work. On Google, Saela’s Lakewood, Washington location is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,164 reviews as of October 2026.
If mosquitoes are keeping you indoors on summer evenings, book a call to schedule a mosquito inspection.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
