They regularly persecute volleyball players, assault hikers, and torment picnickers. In fact, if you’re in the great outdoors, you may be attacked by large swarms of them at any moment. Who are these fiends in bug-shaped form? They are none other than the infamous mosquitoes.
Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes
Unfortunately, while the month of May brings warmer temperatures, it also signals the start of the time when clouds of these insects will quickly surround any individual unfortunate enough to stray near a wooded area. So, are there ways that you can protect yourself? While you may not be able to completely eradicate these pests from your immediate vicinity, there are ways to reduce the number of mosquitoes that attack you:
- Avoid wearing colognes, perfumes, and scented lotions. Humans are not the only ones attracted by pleasant odors! Your wife may like the smell of your aftershave, but your local mosquito population may enjoy it too. Mosquitoes are also attracted by smells that you may find less pleasant, such as the odor of carbon dioxide from fast breathing and the scent of lactic acid released by sweat glands. Thus, a spectator at a game of softball is less likely to have mosquitoes munching on her than is the pitcher.
- Use an appropriate repellent. Insect repellents that contain DEET are among the most effective in keeping mosquitoes at bay, although they have been known to damage synthetic materials such as nylon, so be careful where you spray. If you’re camping, you’ll want to coat your tent and clothing with a repellent such as permethrin to ward off mosquitoes.
- Wear light, neutral colors. Mosquitoes are often attracted to dark, contrasting colors, while neutral colors, such as tans and whites, blend into the mosquitoes’ natural surroundings. Not only that, but wearing lighter colors will also keep you cooler throughout the day, so that you’ll release less of the sweat that mosquitoes find so tantalizing.
- Dress in long pants and long sleeves. While tank tops and shorts may be comfortable, they also leave plenty of exposed skin that can make a great snack for mosquitoes. If you’re hiking, camping, or otherwise spending the day in a mosquito-infested area, switch to lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and exchange the flip-flops for socks and shoes.
- Install tight-fitting screens in your windows. The buzz of a nearby mosquito in the middle of the night can be enough to keep anyone awake. Keep mosquitoes out of your bedroom by installing screens in all of your windows. If you’re camping, be sure to check your tent for holes in netting and nylon, and repair any damaged areas.
- Purchase citronella candles. While many scents attract mosquitoes, the scent of citronella actually repels them. So, the next time you host a barbecue on your back porch, you may find that lighting a few of these candles will keep the bugs away.
- Remove mosquito habitats. Mosquitoes love stagnant water! They live and breed near bird baths, septic tanks, pools, ponds, swamps, and other bodies of standing water, both large and small. If you have a bird bath, be sure to change the water at least once per week. Keep the cover to your septic tank covered and sealed, so that mosquitoes can’t get inside and lay eggs. If you have a swimming pool, keep the cover on when the pool isn’t in use, and keep the pool properly maintained. Try stocking your pond with mosquito eating fish. Finally, eliminate all unnecessary sources of standing water, such as water-filled containers.