When wild animals attack

There I was, working in my garage last night, minding my own business, when suddenly I came under attack by the world's most deadly animal.

I stood my ground and fended off the attackers for a few minutes, even managing to kill a few with my bare hands. But there were just too many of the blood-thirsty creatures. Outnumbered, I quickly was overwhelmed — I resorted to slapping myself  on the legs, back and neck in a futile attempt to stave off the attack.

Realizing I couldn't maintain the defense and continue working, I retreated to the laundry room.

Stupid mosquitoes.

Mention deadly animals, and most people picture great white sharks, grizzly bears or moose. OK, maybe not moose, but I've been told they are dangerous.

But more people are killed each year in the United States by bees, wasps and hornets than by sharks, bears and snakes. And worldwide, mosquitoes -- or, more precisely, malaria -- typically kill more than a million people a year, according to the World Health Organization.

I'm not concerned with malarial infection from my encounter the other night (although I did consider having a gin and tonic -- I mean, why take a risk) but I do expect a bumper crop of the needle-nosed insects this year.

TI suspect that won't be the last time the animals chase me inside this summer.