The U.S. is facing a growing threat from mosquitoes, a report from Climate Central indicates.
Climate Central analyzed long-term weather patterns across 244 cities between 1970 and 2017. The group found that 94 percent of cities are seeing a rise in the number of “disease danger days” where there is a heightened risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses. Rising temperatures could be to blame.
Temperature, the report explains, has a major impact on mosquitoes’ survival and range — and as temperatures continue to climb, mosquito habits and disease transmission patterns are changing as a result. Hotter temperatures, for instance, shorten the amount of time it takes for viruses to become transmittable to humans. They also reduce how long it takes for viruses to develop inside of mosquitoes.
According to the report, there are nine diseases carried by Culex and Aedes mosquitoes, and seven of them have been found here in the U.S. This includes West Nile Virus, Zika, dengue, Yellow Fever, chikungunya, St. Louis Encephalitis (SLEV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEV).
Mosquitoes, it should be noted, were especially problematic earlier this summer along the East Coast where heavy spring rainfall caused populations to swell two to three times their average rates.
For outdoor retailers, mosquitoes are driving demand for repellents and deterrents. Many new products are coming to market that are making it safer and easier for consumers to enjoy the outdoors.
One leader in this space is Thermacell, which recently introduced the Radius Zone Mosquito Repellent — a scent, sound, spray and flame-free device that offers clean mosquito protection with push-button ease.
The Radius uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery to heat a synthetic version of a compound found in chrysanthemum flowers. The Radius emits a clean zone of protection measuring 110 square-feet which is enough space for a group to sit comfortably without having to pass around sprays or lotions.
Thermacell’s marketing department deserves credit, too, for making use of an eye-catching force field graphic on its website and packaging that is sure to attract shoppers.
The Radius is just one example of many great products offered by Thermacell. To learn more about what the company has been up to lately, check out their recent IO TV clip from the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver.
