Do Mosquitoes & Ticks Transmit Coronavirus?

Here at Johnson Pest Control, we know that our communities are going through many difficulties in the time of COVID-19. As always, we continue to focus on our commitment to protecting our Sevierville TN neighborhoods. As this current pandemic unfolds, there is a lot of information coming out each hour as we learn more and more about this virus. One of the main concerns is, of course, how it is spread. We’ve noticed a lot of inquiries about whether insects can transmit COVID-19 or not. Although data is changing constantly, there is currently no evidence or proof that mosquitoes and ticks transmit coronaviruses. These vector pests are infamous for transmitting diseases worldwide, but COVID-19 is not one of them.

Our team is committed to the health and safety of our customers. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between vector-borne diseases and COVID-19.

Diseases Caused by Mosquitoes and Ticks

Vector pests are organisms that transmit diseases to humans. Mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas are common vectors in that they spread diseases through their bites. Ticks and mosquitoes in particular are known to spread some of the world’s most concerning diseases. Mosquitoes transmit malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, and yellow fever, among others. Ticks, on the other hand, are responsible for transmitting the nation’s most common vector-borne disease: Lyme disease.

Are Insects Transmitting COVID-19?

The information about coronaviruses is changing constantly, but one thing’s for sure: COVID-19 is not spread by vector pests like mosquitoes and ticks. Some things to know about the coronavirus pandemic include:

• All research points to the fact that COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that is spread through person-to-person contact.
• Coronavirus spreads through droplets in the air from saliva or nasal discharge, which is often generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It is also able to be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces.
• SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and now COVID-19 are all known as zoonotic coronaviruses – viruses that have jumped the species barrier from their normal animal hosts to humans.

Pest Control in the Time of Coronavirus

Disease transmission from insects is certainly concerning. Thankfully, mosquitoes and ticks do not transmit the coronavirus from what we currently know. Regardless, we know how distressing mosquitoes can be and are here for you during these uncertain times. It’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of our professional exterminators for all your pest control needs.

With the safety of our communities and customers at the top of our priority list, we encourage everyone to seek more information on COVID-19 and follow guidelines released by the WHO and CDC when it comes to navigating this pandemic safely.