Are Mosquitoes & Ticks Carriers of Coronavirus?

The team at Dugas Pest Control knows how distressing things are right now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a dedication to the health and safety of our communities here in Baton Rouge, we are staying up-to-date with all of the new information coming out about the virus on a daily basis. We understand there is a lot of misinformation about the nature of the virus, including how it is spread. We are here to dispel one myth in particular! To date, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that mosquitoes or ticks transmit coronavirus. These insects are vectors for dangerous diseases, but COVID-19 is not one of them. Using information from the CDC, we’ve compiled facts on vector-borne diseases in this post. Keep reading to learn more!

Vector-Borne Diseases vs. COVID-19

Coronavirus is not transmitted by vector pests (including mosquitoes and ticks). Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that is said to pass from person to person, meaning it is extremely contagious. Exposure is often due to droplets from saliva or nasal discharge, typically generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Studies show that it can be spread through contaminated surfaces, and it is increasingly considered to be an airborne virus. Mosquito-borne and tick-borne diseases are of an entirely different nature than this current virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “vector-borne diseases are human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors”. COVID-19 is not a parasitic disease.

Diseases from Ticks and Mosquitoes

Although they don’t transmit coronavirus, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are vectors for a number of infectious diseases. Vector pests are organisms that transmit diseases to humans through bites. Mosquitoes and ticks are vectors for the following diseases:

1. Mosquitoes are infamous for transmitting malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more.
2. Lyme disease, currently the most common vector-borne disease in the nation, is transmitted by ticks.
3. When vector pests feeds off a diseased host, they can transmit pathogens that may infect other hosts it subsequently bites. 

Dugas Pest Control Is Here For You

Mosquitoes and ticks may not transmit COVID-19, but they can still be dangerous. As always, it’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of a professional exterminator to prevent dangerous insects. During these uncertain times, Dugas Pest Control will continue to provide essential pest control services to our neighbors and customers.

With new information about COVID-19 coming out every hour, we want to encourage our customers to seek more up-to-date info and follow guidelines released by the WHO and the CDC, as well as your state and local public health agencies.