World Mosquito Day is observed every year on August 20 to commemorate a vital discovery by a British doctor, Sir Ronald Ross in 1897. He found out that it was the female mosquitoes that transmit malaria between humans. To mark the day, every year the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine celebrates the day as World Mosquito Day since the 1930s. It is no news that mosquitoes lead to a gamut of health issues, which can even turn fatal. The vector can carry and spread diseases to humans and are responsible for millions of deaths every year through diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya etc. Dengue Fever Prevention: 7 Mosquito-Repellent Plants That Will Keep The Insects at Bay.

It is important to spread awareness about the mosquitoes to help fight the diseases better. Not many people even know that there exist several types of mosquitoes that may carry different diseases. For example, three types of mosquitos – Aedes, Anopheles and Culex – act as vectors or living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases to humans from animals.  While Aedes mosquito is known to spread diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever, lymphatic filariasis, rift valley fever, yellow fever, zika, etc., Anopheles is known to spread malaria and lymphatic filariasis as well. Culex spreads Japanese encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis and West Nile fever. World Mosquito Day 2019: Know Date, History and Significance of The Day Creating Awareness About World's Deadliest Animal. 

These mosquitoes may be lurking around in your house in spots you cannot access. Therefore it is important to make sure that your house is free of these pests so that you and your family are protected from the disease. Here are some places in your house where mosquitoes hide. Dengue Fever Prevention: Apply These 6 Oils on Your Skin to Drive Mosquitoes Away.

1. Behind The Curtains

The area behind the curtain acts as a safe place for the mosquitoes to hide as it is usually untouched and gives them shade. Spray mosquito repellents behind the curtain to target them.

2. Near The Dustbin

If your dustbin contains moist stuff, there are chances that you may have dangerous mosquitoes lurking around your house. Keep your dustbin dry and clean it from time to time. Spray insect repellants in the areas around the dustbins.

3. Bathroom

The bathroom is a moist environment where pooled water makes for a good breeding ground for mosquitoes. Make sure no bucket or vessel contains water kept for a long time. Empty out the buckets and place them upside down.

4. Corners Of The Room

Corners of the room are another place that provides shade to the mosquitoes and acts as a safe place for the vectors to hide.

You can spray disinfectant in your house to get rid of these vectors or even use coils and agarbattis that are known to keep mosquitoes at bay. However, if anyone in your house suffers from asthma, look for natural ways to keep your house free of mosquitoes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2019 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).