...This time it's personal.
There are several reasons to bring up the topic of mosquito control.
1. The mild winter we are experiencing will surely give rise to a bumper crop of mosquitoes.
2. Mosquitoes are probably the most common and overbearing insect nuisances during the summer months.
3. They can carry serious illness-causing pathogens, such as West Nile Virus and the Zika virus.
4. The World Health Organization has declared the Zika virus an international public health emergency, prompted by growing concern that it could cause birth defects. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/health/what-is-zika-virus.html?
5. I hate mosquitoes, and it seems they are drawn to me like a magnet.
There are basically three fronts to the war on mosquitoes, personal repellents, area repellents and area preparation.
The most common personal repellents are sprays and lotions that you apply to exposed skin and/or clothing. Mosquitoes are attracted to warmth, moisture, the odor of your skin and even carbon dioxide that your body gives off. Insect repellents provide a barrier around you that they don't find appealing.
Topical repellents most commonly contain DEET, a chemical approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the active ingredient. It is proven to prevent or decrease mosquito bites, as well as problems with ticks and chiggers. Products containig DEET may give protection up to five hours. Use products with lower concentrations of DEET on children age 2 to 12 and avoid using DEET products at all on infants up to 6 months old.
Picaridin is a more recent addition to insect repellents found in the U.S. market. It is said to provide effectiveness similar to that of DEET. More and more product lines are beginning to contain this ingredient. Picaridin-based products are said to repel mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas and chiggers.
Natural topical repellents often use naturally occurring chemicals found in oils from eucalyptus, spearmint or peppermint, pennyroyal and tea trees. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is found naturally in eucalyptus leaves and twigs and has been used as a bug repellent for decades. According to the EPA, like most plant oils, oil of lemon eucalyptus does not cause any of the adverse effects that may occur from using repellents with DEET. These products usually contain around 30 to 40 percent of the active ingredient.
Like oil of lemon eucalyptus, citronella oil has been used for more than 50 years as a repellent. It repels insects by masking the carbon dioxide on skin to which insects are drawn. Citronella oil is most commonly found in insect-repelling candles but also is the active ingredient in some products that you apply directly to skin, such as lotions, gels, sprays and towelettes. Because they evaporate quickly, topical citronella products often need to be reapplied more frequently than other products.
Always store insect repellents in a utility closet or similar locked structure, safely out of reach of small children.
Mosquitoes are most active in the evening hours and love areas with standing water: Stagnant puddles and ponds, birdbaths, gutters, etc. If you find yourself outdoors near these areas, particularly in the evening, use a repellent to protect yourself. This doesn't mean that you're safe from the bugs in broad daylight. If you notice them buzzing around you, use some repellent, no matter the time of day.
Next week we'll look at area repellents and ways to mosquito proof your yard. Remember, help is just around the corner at your local hardware store.
