Remember when we were all freaking out over the "murder hornet"? Boy, that was a bust, wasn't it? (This, coming from someone who wrote an article about the oversized menace to honeybees.) There's a new pest making its way into Illinois that will either make you yawn or buy out Deet-free bug spray from every store within a 10-mile radius.  Folks, meet the Asian Tiger Mosquito.

I always wonder, how the heck to (insert random insect from another part of the world) get here? In this case, and you won't be surprised, it is through tires. KHQA-TV explains exactly how those oddly appealing mosquitoes made their way to Illinois.

Researchers say the global trade of used tires has helped lead to the spread of the mosquito.

Makes sense, if you see tires on the ground with water on the inside you know there's going to be little buggers swarming it. Too bad I never learned this lesson when I was a kid. But, in all seriousness, like all mosquitoes, these thirsty jerks can carry diseases. PestWorld.org not only has a picture of this bug that might make you think, "aww, it's kind of cute", but also lists the possible diseases it can carry, a few you've probably heard of.

Originally from Southeast Asia, this daytime-biting insect can transmit harmful diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya and dengue fever.

 

As with any insect, be aware of your surroundings, wear insect repellant when you're outdoors.


JB Love is ½ of  Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram.


 

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