Approximately 1 million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne illnesses each year, according to an American Mosquito Control Association spokesman.
Jessica Rigler with the Arizona Department of Health said unlike the most of the country, Arizona’s mosquito threat is year-round.
Mainly, she said, because mild winters don’t kill off the mosquito larvae, which allows the eggs dehydrate when left alone in a bone-dry dish.
“Sometimes eggs can dry out and then if you refill that container with water, those eggs can survive and then hatch months later” Rigler said.
Rigler said the two most dangerous species in Arizona take about a week to hatch.
Keeping the mosquito population to a minimum requires everyone dump standing water from all containers big and small, she said, then wiping it down with a rag to knock out the remaining larvae.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified to correct the number of people who die from mosquito-borne illnesses annually.
