The Deadliest Creature in the World Lives in Twin Falls and Here’s How to Avoid it

Imagine ominous music slowly building in the background as you read. What deadly creature could possibly attack next here in Idaho? Should you stock up on more ammo? Should you build a safe room? Where is a safe place? How can you prevent an attack from the deadliest creature on the planet?

It’s out for blood. It never stops. It stalks any prey with a heartbeat. It hunted dinosaurs in the movie Jurassic Park. Yeah, the suspense holds no longer. The deadliest creature to watch out for is a mosquito.

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These vampires of the insect community are responsible for 725,000 deaths every year. While we don’t normally look for Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, Malaria, Zika virus or Chikungunya here in Idaho, mosquito-caused deaths are not non-existent.

Idaho ranks 5th in the states with the least mosquitos. There are fewer opportunities for them to flourish here, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. West Nile Virus is a constant companion to the mosquito in our region. Sure, we can slather ourselves in DEET, but first, begin with keeping them out of your space in the first place.

How to Keep Mosquitos From Ruining Idaho's Backyard Fun

Gardening seems like a strange way to battle mosquitos, but some plants may help in keeping the nuisances at bay. There are some things you can plant that can also be used in your kitchen, not just to keep away mosquitos. Garlic, rosemary, basil, mint, and sage are all believed to keep the little buggers off. Even if they don’t, fresh ingredients for cooking are a bonus.

The Twin Falls County Pest Abatement District works hard to keep the mosquitos held to a minimum. Changing out water in standing containers like wading pools, watering troughs, and bird baths is a start. Removing debris on your property that can pool water prevents larvae from having a place to grow up. Dawn and dusk are particularly happy times for mosquitos to feed. They like the cooler temps and shadier areas.