“Some years have more mosquitoes, others fewer. Their abundance is determined not only by winter conditions but also by spring and summer weather – warm and rainy springs and early summers create especially favorable conditions for mosquitoes to reproduce. With an increase in mosquitoes, more food becomes available for insect-eating animals, including spiders, so some spider species may also increase. It seems that in the near future, Lithuania will not lack warmth and rain, so mosquitoes will actively breed not only in natural water bodies but also, for example, in a tire left in the forest or a jar with accumulated rainwater,” explains biologist and pest control expert Liutauras Grigaliūnas from the company “Dezinfa,” as stated in the company’s press release.
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Why do some people fear spiders, while mosquitoes bite some people more often than others?
Some people fear spiders so intensely that this fear develops into arachnophobia – an intense, irrational reaction to spiders. Others consider them completely harmless animals and feel no discomfort. Psychologists explain that arachnophobia is often reinforced by early experiences such as childhood fright, unpleasant encounters with spiders, or witnessing panic in others.
“The appearance of spiders seems unusual to many – many legs, quick movements, unpredictable behavior, so for some people, this immediately causes tension, even if there is no real threat. We have heard from clients more than once that when they noticed spiders at home, they no longer wanted to stay overnight because they were tormented by the fear that spiders would crawl on their bodies or even into their mouths while they slept. However, for some people, spiders do not evoke negative associations; they usually view spiders neutrally. Of course, knowledge also reduces fear – understanding that spiders living in Lithuania are not dangerous to humans,” the biologist points out.
Still, while spiders mostly cause psychological discomfort for many, mosquitoes practically annoy almost everyone. Although it is often said that mosquitoes find some people’s blood “tastier,” the pest control expert calls this belief a myth.
“Mosquitoes are attracted not so much by blood but by exhaled carbon dioxide, body heat, sweat, and skin odors. These insects react very sensitively to carbon dioxide, so they more actively choose people who move more, exercise, or simply breathe more heavily – they are attracted to warmer and moister skin. The truth is that even people standing close together can seem completely differently attractive to mosquitoes,” notes L. Grigaliūnas.
Are mosquitoes and spiders dangerous to humans?
Mosquito bites usually cause only a local reaction – redness, swelling, and itching. Interestingly, the mosquito’s bite itself is almost imperceptible, and the unpleasant symptoms are caused by the mosquito’s saliva entering the skin. However, children and allergic people may have a stronger reaction. Children’s skin is thinner, and their immune system is still developing, so reactions are often more intense.
“We often hear concerns from residents about malaria because mosquito species capable of transmitting this disease’s pathogens are found in Lithuania, but our climate is not yet suitable for the spread of this disease. The malaria parasite requires a long warm season and higher temperatures than those prevailing in Lithuania. On the other hand, tiger mosquitoes, which can transmit dangerous diseases, are rapidly spreading in Southern Europe and could theoretically reach Lithuania,” the biologist explains.
Regarding spiders in Lithuania, the danger they pose is much less than often imagined. More than 500 spider species live in the country, but they are not dangerous to humans.
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“All spiders have venom, but it is meant to hunt prey, not to attack humans. Bites usually occur only when a spider is pressed or defends cocoons and young. Such bites usually resemble a bee sting. Moreover, only very few spider species living in Lithuania behave this way. A bigger problem, besides the phobia mentioned by residents, is spider webs and spider droppings, which spoil the aesthetics of facades,” says L. Grigaliūnas.
Why is the buzzing of a mosquito more annoying than the bite itself?
Many people admit that what annoys them most is not the mosquito bite itself but its buzzing. Specialists explain that this is because the brain perceives this sound as a constant and hard-to-ignore stimulus, especially when heard very close to the ear. In fact, mosquitoes fly around the face not because they want to annoy but because they are attracted by the carbon dioxide exhaled by humans, so they naturally circle in this area. The buzzing is especially noticeable in silence when a person tries to fall asleep because even a faint sound seems much more intense at such times.
L. Grigaliūnas emphasizes that one of the most effective mosquito control methods is biological preparations that kill larvae living in standing water. Professional spraying of building surfaces with repellent substances is also used for control, but it is important to know which surfaces and with what agents can be treated to avoid violating environmental requirements, laws, or causing environmental harm.
“It is worth noting that people themselves often unconsciously create excellent conditions for mosquitoes to breed. Just a few days of standing water in a rain barrel, bucket, flowerpot, decorative pond, or even a clogged gutter, combined with suitable air temperature, can start the development of mosquito larvae. For this reason, before undertaking mosquito control, if possible, it is recommended to tidy up the environment – remove standing water and reduce places suitable for their breeding. It is also important to understand that the effectiveness of mosquito control depends both on the area and the specific mosquito species, so the best results are usually achieved by combining several measures,” says the expert.
What do spiders “say” about the condition of a home?
The presence of spiders in a home does not necessarily mean disorder. Usually, they indicate that there is food and suitable hiding places in the dwelling. Spiders like darker, quieter, and damper places – cracks, corners, basements, curtain rods. Outdoors, they often settle in sheds, gardens, or near outdoor lights where many insects gather. The problem is that webs spun on buildings can become an aesthetic headache – they accumulate dust, insect remains, and larger spider droppings sometimes resemble bird droppings.
“The simplest way to reduce the spider population is to patiently clean the webs. It is also possible to catch live spiders and release them away from buildings. Of course, professional products can also be used for population control, but they must be applied safely and purposefully,” the expert points out.
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