MOSQUITOES
Updated: Oct 24
I know people disagree on this topic, and that's okay. I can only share the current science until other information proves otherwise. Some people have a theory that a mosquito bite can cause a bullseye rash in people who already have Lyme. I haven't found research on that yet, but here is what we have so far.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
THE NEWEST RESEARCH (2025)
-A 2025 lab study tested three kinds of mosquitoes to see whether they could pick up and spread the Lyme bacteria. Only one of the three types picked up the bacteria from infected mice, and only 3 out of 20 of those mosquitoes did. Bacteria in their blood meals were quickly destroyed during digestion.
-The researchers also tested whether bacteria could pass from one animal to another during an interrupted mosquito meal, and that didn't happen.
-The study's authors concluded that their results are strong evidence against mosquitoes spreading Lyme, and that ticks are the only ones that do.
-Global Lyme Alliance shared this study in June 2025. They explained that the bacteria never reached the mosquitoes' saliva, which is the only route a mosquito has for passing on an infection, and that ticks are the only proven source of Lyme.
FOUND IN MOSQUITOES, BUT NOT SPREAD
-Lyme bacteria have been found inside some mosquitoes, including in their salivary glands. A 2016 study from Germany found Lyme bacteria in some mosquitoes caught in the wild, but finding the bacteria is not the same as proving mosquitoes spread it.
-Finding the bacteria in a mosquito doesn't mean the mosquito can pass it on. Global Lyme Alliance shares there is no evidence mosquitoes spread Lyme to people or animals, and explains that a mosquito bite is too short.
-LymeDisease.org also shares that it has not been proven that mosquitoes or other blood-sucking insects can spread Lyme, and that ticks are uniquely suited to carry it.
MOSQUITOES CAN SPREAD OTHER ILLNESSES
-Global Lyme Alliance notes that mosquitoes can spread other illnesses, like West Nile virus, Zika, chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever and malaria, so protecting yourself from bites is still a good idea.
RELATED POSTS
Transmission of Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella
Tick Repellent (for Body and Yard)
Tick Bite Education
Different Types of Ticks
SOURCES
Parasites and Vectors - Experimental evidence rules out mosquitoes as vectors of Lyme disease, lab study (June 2025)
Global Lyme Alliance - Why you can cross mosquitoes off your Lyme disease worry list (June 2025)
Global Lyme Alliance - Can you get Lyme disease from a mosquito? (August 2023)
LymeDisease.org - About ticks and Lyme disease (2020, older source, still worth reading)
Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in different genera of mosquitoes (Culicidae) in Central Europe, study (2016, older source, still worth reading)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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