Most everyone has been to an outdoor, summer event with family or friends, only to wind up scratching all night, and waking up the next day covered in red, swollen mosquito bites. A few mosquito tips might prevent that this year!
Mosquito Facts:
The Alameda County Mosquito Abatement website provides the following facts about mosquitoes.
- There are 150 species of mosquitoes in the U.S.
- Only female mosquitoes feed on humans and animals
- Female mosquitoes need sufficient blood to produce eggs.
- Water is required for mosquitoes to complete their life cycle
- Eggs are laid one at a time on the water’s surface or on damp soil where water regularly pools.
- Most mosquitoes stay within a mile or two of their breeding source.
- A mosquito egg becomes an adult in approximately 10-14 days
Mosquito Bites:
Mosquito bites are irritating, and can cause fever, infection and even deadly diseases. According to Mayo Clinic’s article, “Mosquitoes”, three serious diseases can be caused by mosquito bites:
- Malaria is rare in the United States, and cases usually originate from travel to another country. It is still prevalent in tropical regions such as Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and Central America.
- Dengue fever affects fifty million to 100 million people worldwide each year with most cases in the tropics. According to Mayo Clinic.com, a few cases have been reported in the U. S. along the border with Mexico, and in Hawaii.
- The CDC website reports 1,356 cases of West Nile Virus in the United States in 2008, 44 of which resulted in death.
Mosquito Tips: What Do Mosquitoes Like?
MayoClinic.com explains that mosquitoes respond to scent, exhaled carbon dioxide and the chemistry of certain individual's sweat. An overweight male with type O blood type would be mosquito nirvana as all these factors act as mosquito magnets. Additionally, tepid conditions and dark clothing that absorbs heat may attract the pests.
When a person breathes out, certain chemicals in their breath drifts through the air identifying them as prime dinner for a mosquito, and according to Renee Anderson, PhD, a medical entomologist at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, the mosquito follows the trail of their CO2.
Use the following three mosquito tips to reduce the number of mosquito bites this year.
Mosquito Tip # 1 - Use Repellents That Protect Large Areas:
Having a party that may be mosquito heaven? Repellent ideas to use in a mosquito prone area are:
- Bug zappers
- Propane burning devices
- Yellow bug lights
- Candles with citronella
- Mosquito Foggers
- Mosquito Nets (camping)
Mosquito Tip #2 - Use Topical Repellents
DEET, the abbreviation of N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, is a common chemical used in commercial topical mosquito repellents. Use this chemical with caution, however, especially with small children and pregnant women. The Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University states that, "Everglades National Park employees having extensive DEET exposure were more likely to have insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function than were lesser exposed co-workers".
There are many natural topical repellants that are reported to work. However, many scientists dispute their effectiveness:
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus – In AHCMedia.com's August 2005 article written by Alexandra Connelly Frost, PhD entitled, “Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus as an Insect Repellent" she states, “In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD is the active ingredient) is one of only three products (DEET, picaridin, and PMD) recommended to protect against West Nile virus”.
- Citronella - “The EPA states that citronella oil has little or no toxicity.” It has been used as a topical insect repellent for 60 years. However, the EPA also states citronella may irritate skin or cause dermatitis on occasion.
- Tea tree oil – healthylivinganswers.com tells us that tea tree oil is used in rural areas of the U.S. to prevent mosquito bites as well as relieve the effects of a mosquito bite.
- Vanilla and Lemon grass – many commercial repellents contain vanilla and lemon grass and are sometimes considered effective used on their own.
Mosquito Tip #3 - Prevention
The first step in controlling mosquitoes is prevention. The following may result in fewer mosquito bites:
- Maintain fountains, bird baths and ponds
- Eliminate pools of stagnant water
- After a rain, drain fire pits, and candle holders of accumulated water on patios
- Turn buckets and wheel barrows upside down in the yard
- Drain children’s pools after daily play
This summer, eliminate standing water, take precautions by wearing adequate clothing, and apply repellents. Then simply enjoy the fun of summertime!
Resources:
Wikepedia, Insect Repellent
Alameda County Mosquito Abatement website
Mayoclinic.com
CDC Website
AHC Media Website
Healthylivinganswers.com
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