At Loyal Termite & Pest Control, we understand how distressing and uncertain times are right now during COVID-19. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation to stay educated and to keep up-to-date. As always, our focus is our dedication to the safety and health of our communities here in Henrico and Richmond VA. With new information on the hour, there are endless questions surrounding the nature of the virus, including how it is spread. As of now, there is no evidence or proof to suggest that mosquitoes and ticks transmit coronaviruses. These two insects are certainly responsible for some of the world’s worst diseases, but COVID-19 is not one of them.

Using information from the CDC, we’ll explore on the differences between vector-borne diseases and COVID-19 to help dispel myths about transmission in this blog post.

Do Insects Spread Coronavirus?

From what we’ve learned, mosquitoes and ticks do not transmit COVID-19. It’s important to learn how this new virus is understood to be spread:

The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus that, to date, is spread through person-to-person contact.
COVID-19 spreads through droplets from saliva or nasal discharge, often generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can also be transmitted via contact with a contaminated surface and is increasingly considered to be an airborne virus.
Coronaviruses are best avoided by avoiding exposure with infected persons. Studies have shown that COVID-19 may be spread by asymptomatic people, making social distancing a must.

Mosquito-Borne and Tick-Borne Diseases

What exactly are vector-borne diseases? Vectors are organisms that transmit diseases to humans through bites. The most common vector pests are fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Two insects in particular are infamous for their roles in the transmission of critical and serious diseases around the globe: mosquitoes and ticks. Mosquitoes are tied to some of the world’s most dangerous diseases including malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more. Ticks are most known for their ability to spread Lyme disease, which is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.

What to Remember

Mosquitoes definitely are capable of spreading diseases, but from what we know, COVID-19 is not one of them. At Loyal, we understand mosquitoes are still a threat. As always, it’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of a professional exterminator to prevent biting insects. Our team continues to provide essential pest control services to our communities during these uncertain times.

As the COVID-19 situation unfolds, we encourage our customers to seek more information and follow guidelines released by the WHO, CDC, as well as your state and local public health agencies.