Being four floors up a converted Victorian warehouse means, with the exception of the occasional determined housefly or misguided bee, we’re rarely troubled by high-flying bugs. But the other day a lone mosquito came into land just inches from my line of sight. We eyed each other up for while to see who would blink first. The feeble little Brit-bug had no idea who he was dealing with. During our Turkish days, squadrons of stealthy mozzies dive-bombed dinner parties and bled us dry during our sleep. But gradually over four years, our leathery old hides developed welt-resisting immunity. The ugly sucker staring back at me was no match for its voracious Aegean cousins. So I extended my arm and said,
Go on then, suck it and see.
Now bug off.
Mmmm. Not immune yet. But you give me hope.
We still get bitten, though. We just don’t itch 😀
Ha! You’re a brave man, Jack. But since I got dengue fever, I can’t stand the sight of a mosquito!
Dengue fever? Nasty. Hope you’re all fine now…
Nice little post Jack. I hope you don’t mind if I add a rider. Please view mosquitoes as more of an annoyance than a threat, but the tiny insects are far and away the deadliest animals on earth.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 725,000 people are killed each year by mosquito-born diseases. A staggering 200 million people are at least temporarily incapacitated by malaria alone, of which 600,000 die.
Dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis are also deadly diseases carried by mosquitoes.
They are right little buggers aren’t they? A temperate climate has its advantages!
Don’t even start on the zika virus – I would have swatted him with no mercy.
Another advantage of living in the temperate zone!
Oh to have your immunity. Southern Ontario, with its high humidity and hot temps, have us all doing the mosquito slap dance all summer long.
I know that particular dance move very well. 😀