Journeys With Jani

This whole thing popped into my head after chatting with a friend whose husband — a teacher currently working overseas — is recovering from a nasty bout of malaria. Yep. Real-life, real-scary, real-malaria. He’s doing better (praise hands!), but it got me thinking…

Do mosquitoes have any redeeming qualities?

Because honestly, if I had a dollar for every mosquito bite I’ve had living here in Georgia, I could pay off my SUV and throw a low-country boil for the whole county.

Now if you’re from around here, you already know: Georgia mosquitoes don’t play. They are big, bold, and brazen. The kind of pests that bite you through your socks, have the nerve to buzz in your ear, and still come back for seconds while you’re slapping the first one. Sometimes I think they unionized and elected a leader.

So back to my question — are they good for anything? Or are they just tiny terrorists with wings?

Well… here’s what I found (and don’t roll your eyes just yet):

🦟 Some Mosquitoes Are Pollinators

Turns out, not all mosquitoes are bloodthirsty. Only the females bite — and only because they need protein for their eggs. The fellas? They’re nectar-loving softies who help pollinate plants like goldenrods and orchids.

So basically: the dudes are chill, the ladies are hormonal and hangry. Sounds familiar.

🐟 They’re Fish Food First

Mosquito larvae live in water and are like little snacks for fish, frogs, and other aquatic critters. Adult mosquitoes feed birds, bats, spiders, and even other bugs.

In other words, mosquitoes are the drive-thru menu of the ecosystem. “I’ll take a #3 mosquito value meal with extra wings.”

🌎 They Help Keep Nature in Check

Believe it or not, their presence shapes animal behavior. Herd animals — like deer — will avoid areas with high mosquito activity, which sometimes keeps them safer from predators.

Basically, mosquitoes are the ultimate party poopers, and sometimes that’s actually useful.

🧬 They’ve Pushed Science Forward

If there’s a tiny silver lining to these itch-inducing nuisances, it’s that they’ve led to major advancements in science and medicine. We’ve made huge strides in vaccine research, disease prevention, and even gene-editing tech thanks to our efforts to fight mosquito-borne illnesses.

So in a twisted way… mosquitoes helped save lives after they tried to end some. Go figure.

But Still…

Let’s not sugarcoat it. These little devils are public enemy number one. They’re responsible for more human deaths every year than any other creature — due to diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, West Nile, and more.

I mean, sure, they feed frogs. But so does literally anything that moves. That doesn’t make them heroes.

Final Thoughts from the Front Porch

Do mosquitoes have redeeming qualities?

Technically… yes.

Emotionally? Absolutely not.

Living in Georgia, I’m convinced these bugs have GPS coordinates, a group chat, and a vendetta. But next time I’m swatting one off my iced tea arm, maybe I’ll pause a second before cussing it into the next county.

Maybe.

Y’all stay safe, stay itch-free, and check on your friends who live anywhere tropical. And if you’re heading overseas — don’t forget the bug spray. The good kind. The kind that smells like regret and melts nail polish.

XOXO, Jani