Bucks County is home to black bears, venomous snakes, and coyotes. But there’s another animal that’s smaller and even more deadly than any of these.
And we’ve all faced down these tiny menances in our yards, in the park and while trying to enjoy the great outdoors.
What is the world’s deadliest animal?
Last month, the CDC released an article calling the mosquito the world’s deadliest animal, killing more people than any other creature in the world through a variety of diseases.
However, the local death rate from mosquitoes is much lower, in part because diseases like malaria are extremely rare in Pennsylvania.
What diseases do mosquitoes carry?
Mosquitoes are known to carry malaria, West Nile, lymphatic filariasis, dengue, chikungunya, and zika. Each disease has its own symptoms and severity, but several can be fatal.
How many people do mosquitoes kill?
According to the WHO, vector-borne diseases (those transmitted from animals like mosquitoes) lead to more than 700,000 deaths per year worldwide.
How many mosquitoes are in Pennsylvania?
There are about 60 species of mosquitoes in Pennsylvania, including several known to be pests to humans, according to Penn State Extension.
The Asian tiger mosquito prefers fresh water over the salty waters. This mosquito has become a significant pest. It lives and thrives with humans and can be a carrier of many viruses including yellow fever, dengue and Chikungunya fever. It feeds all day as opposed to other human infesting mosquitoes which usually feed from dusk until dawn.
How many people in Bucks County were infected by mosquitoes?
The most common mosquito-borne illness in Bucks County is West Nile, with at least 233 positive virus detections in mosquitoes in 2025 — the fourth highest in Pennsylvania.
Bucks County has seen three confirmed cases of West Nile in humans so far this year.
How to keep mosquitoes away from your house
Mosquitoes love standing water, so address anything that may collect water such as cups, tarps, open garbage cans, etc. Old tires are particularly common larval habitats. Make sure any drainage ditches are free of overgrown grass or any other obstructions preventing the flow of water.
The CDC also recommends being mindful of what you wear. Mosquitoes are less attracted to light-colored clothing, and they are able to bite through t-shirts or other lightweight, tight-fitting clothing.
What are the best mosquito repellents to use?
According to the CDC, repellents with the following active ingredients typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection:
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.”
Can some plants repel mosquitoes?
While some residents have been told to plant marigolds, catnip, and other plants in their yard to repel mosquitoes, this may not work. In a story by Consumer Reports, multiple entomologists acknowledged that plants like these may have chemical compounds that deter insects, but it won’t be enough to make any real impact.
Joel Coats from Iowa State University clarified that the compounds prevent insects from feeding on them, but those chemicals aren’t released into the air. Sarah Moore of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute said these plants wouldn’t even be effective if you rubbed their oils into your skin.
Jess Rohan can be reached at jrohan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What is the world’s deadliest animal? 60+ types of mosquitoes in PA