What's the world's most dangerous animal?
Hint: It's plentiful in Florida and no, it's not an alligator, shark or python.
According to the Centers for Disease Control the deadliest animal in the world is the mosquito.
"The mosquito kills more people than any other creature in the world," the CDC said, noting the flying nuisance spreads such diseases as malaria, dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya.
The Florida Department of Health said there are 80 types of mosquitoes in the state, many of which transmit diseases. The agency tracks mosquito-borne illnesses — known as arboviruses — acquired locally and those contracted by people with a history of travel.
Here's what you should know, including how you can protect yourself and your family.
Mosquito-borne illnesses confirmed in Florida so far this year
The latest report from the Florida Department of Health has confirmed the following cases of mosquito-borne illnesses in the state between Jan. 1 through Aug. 2:
West Nile Virus: 5 asymptomatic blood donors
Escambia: 5
Chikungunya: 4 cases in those with travel history
Broward: 2
Lake: 1
Miami-Dade: 1
Dengue: 122 cases in those with travel history; 7 cases in non-Florida residents
Bay: 1
Brevard: 2
Broward: 10
Clay: 1
Collier: 2
Duval: 3
Escambia: 1
Hillsborough: 6
Lake: 3
Lee: 4
Manatee: 1
Marion: 1
Miami-Dade: 63
Okeechobee: 3
Orange: 6
Osceola: 2
Palm Beach; 5
Pasco: 1
Pinellas: 3
Polk: 1
St. Johns: 1
St. Lucie: 1
Volusia: 1
Denque acquired in Florida: 8 cases
Brevard: 6
Miami-Dade: 2
Malaria: 28 cases in those with travel history; 9 in non-Florida residents
Alachua: 1
Brevard: 1
Broward: 3
Collier: 1
Duval: 1
Hillsborough: 1
Lake: 1
Marion: 2
Miami-Dade: 4
Nassau: 2
Orange: 3
Palm Beach: 3
Polk: 2
St. Lucie: 2
Volusia: 1
What mosquito-borne diseases are tracked in Florida?
The Florida Department of Health tracks travel- and locally acquired cases of the followed mosquito-borne diseases:
West Nile fever and West Nile encephalitis
Eastern equine encephalitis virus
St. Louis encephalitis virus
Dengue virus
Chikungunya virus
Zika virus
California encephalitis group viruses
Malaria
Florida has more than 80 types of mosquitoes. Here are 5 'most wanted'
The Florida Department of Health said there are more than 80 different species of mosquitoes in Florida, compared to about 3,500 species in the world. While not all of them cause disease, here are five the agency lists as "Florida's most wanted":
Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito
Larvae are found in water-holding objects found around the home and yard, such as flower vases, tires, toys, bottles, conch shells, cans, refrigerator drain pans, barrels, bromeliad plants, and other containers.
Can be found in all of Florida except Panhandle counties.
Diseases: Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.
Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito
Larvae found in water-holding objects found around the home and yard, such as flower vases, tires, toys, bottles, cans, barrels, tree holes, bromeliad plants, and other containers.
Found in all Florida counties.
Diseases: Dngue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.
Culex quinquefasciatus, southern house mosquito
Larvae are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, especially those with high organic content, including catch basins, ditches, containers, dairy lagoons, and others.
Found in all Florida counties and are abundant throughout the state.
Diseases: Dog heartworm, St. Louis encephalitis virus, West Nile virus.
Aedes taeniorhynchus, Black salt marsh mosquito
Larvae are found in salt marshes.
Found in all Florida counties and are strong fliers that are major pests during summer and early fall.
Disease: Dog heartworm.
Psorophora ciliata, Gallinipper
Larvae are found in ditches, containers, grassy pools, furrows of citrus groves, pasture areas.
Found in all Florida counties.
Diseases: None none.
What attracts mosquitoes?
While there's not much we can do about some conditions mosquitoes are attracted to — this is Florida — we should note mosquitoes are drawn to:
Damp or humid areas
Standing water
Warm temperatures
Dark, shady areas
Carbon dioxide (your breath)
Myth or magic? Do mosquito-repelling plants really work?
Mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs. And they don't need much. Water in a bottle cap can provide an ideal breeding ground.
Experts repeatedly encourage residents to empty flower pots, bird baths and any outdoor item that holds standing water — including bromeliads — to stop mosquitoes from breeding.
Some residents share ideas to make outdoor living more bearable by selecting mosquito-repelling plants for their landscape, especially citronella and lavendar. But do they really work?
“Certain plants do contain mosquito-repelling compounds,” says Liah Continentino, environmental horticulture agent with University of Florida/IFAS Extension Monroe County. “But unless you’re extracting their oils and applying them like a spray, they’re not doing much just sitting in your garden.
“Plants like eucalyptus, citronella, mint, basil, lavender and marigolds have oils that can deter mosquitoes. But the key word is ‘oils.’ These compounds need to be extracted and used in concentrated forms — like sprays — to be truly effective."
In other words, mosquito-repelling plants are more myth than magic — at least when it comes to passive protection, UF said in a news release.
So what can Florida residents do to minimize mosquitoes?
Don't give up when it comes to enjoy Florida outdoor living. There are some things you can do and some do involve plants.
Here are a few ideas:
Reduce mosquito habitats
“This includes regularly emptying plant saucers, bird baths, pet water bowls and bromeliads, as well as any other water-holding plants. Refreshing bird baths and pet bowls with clean water several times a week and flushing bromeliad cups with a hose can help prevent larvae from developing,” said Jennifer Pelham, UF/IFAS urban horticulture agent and director of UF/IFAS Extension Martin County.
Use plants in your landscape to attract mosquito predators
"For dragonflies, which are highly effective mosquito hunters, they are drawn to native aquatic plants. For birds, include shrubs and trees that supply food, shelter and nesting areas,” said Lorna Bravo, urban horticulture agent with UF/IFAS Extension Broward County.
Use fish to control larvae
For water features that are permanent, such as ornamental ponds, UF/IFAS recommends adding mosquito-eating fish like Gambusia to naturally control larvae.
Cover rain barrels with screens and refresh pet water bowls daily to prevent mosquito access.
Encourage mosquito predators in your yard, including fish, dragonflies, fronts, birds and bats.
What are the best mosquito repellents to use?
According to the CDC, repellents with the following active ingredients "typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection":
DEET
Picaridin
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or PMD
"Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus specifies that they should not to be used on children under the age of 3."
IR3535
2-undecanone
"Certain products containing permethrin are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear, and are registered with EPA for this use."
Items that don't work to repel mosquitoes
"There are many gimmicks for sale that do not work, so be an educated consumer and don’t waste your money on impulse buys," the Florida Department of Health said. Some items that are not effective for reducing mosquitoes include:
Mosquito plants
Bug zappers
Consumption of garlic, vitamin B, and bananas
Repellent bracelets and wristbands
Ultrasonic devices and cell phone apps
Dragonfly mimics
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: World's deadliest animal are mosquitos. 80 types in Florida
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