Saturday July 26th, 2008
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Mind Over Mosquito
Posted by Su Avasthi on June 10, 2007 - 10:47am.
Each summer, I turn into an all-you-can-eat buffet for mosquitoes. The problem is, as I once learned while traveling through Mexico, that I've got something called "sangre dulce," or sweet blood.
This means that mosquitoes just adore me. They dote on me. They can't get enough of my sangre, dulce or not. And so, I end up scratching huge, red welts on my arms and ankles throughout the summer.
Last year, my collection of bites got so bad that I started carrying a little bottle of insect repellant in my bag. I toted it everywhere, and used it often. Just this weekend, I tossed another bottle of the stuff in my bag. I want to keep it close at hand for the next three months, whether I'm having dinner outdoors at a neighborhood cafe or traveling to someplace that requires a passport.
When it comes to repellants, there are several natural alternatives. It may even be possible to prevent bites by eating foods that are loaded with lots of garlic and vitamin B.
Much as I'd like to rely on natural methods, I often resort to using repellant with DEET, which I suspect is not-so-green and not-so-good for me. Officially, DEET is safe to use, but I'm a bit paranoid and suspect that it's one of those pesticides that does more harm than good. I use it because it's super-effective. But it's also if toxic if used improperly and new studies show that it may not be as safe as the experts once believed. I'm careful to use it correctly -- and sparingly.
The Centers for Disease Control has tips on their website about how to use DEET safely, and protect yourself from insect-borne illnesses. Until recently, I've just thought of mosquitoes as an annoyance. But now that West Nile Fever is on the rise throughout the country, it seems important to be more vigilant than before.
Apart from DEET, I turn to greener options to control mosquitoes around my garden. I keep a watchful eye for anyplace that standing water might accumulate (empty flower pots, watering cans, the wheelbarrow that I keep meaning to stash in the garage) and overturn them to get rid of potential breeding grounds.
I've also got a basket of citronella candles that I tote outside on buggy summer evenings. I'm not sure if these work or not, but I'm keeping the faith. So far, I haven't invested in higher-tech insect-fighers, such as mosquito traps or other special bug-zapping gadgets.
I also can't quite bring myself to buy or build a bat house. Bats are a great form of biocontrol, because they're able to eat up to a thousand mosquitoes in an hour and it's all part of the cycle of life.
In theory, setting up a home for the mosquito's natural enemy is a pretty cool idea. But I've seen enough Dracula movies to know that mosquitoes aren't the only bloodsuckers out there.
Topics:
- Green Home
- bugs
- DEET
- garden
- gardening
- gardens
- green home
- health
- insect
- insects
- mosquito
- mosquito bites
- mosquito repellant
- mosquitoes
- outdoors
- pests
- planet
If there is such a thing, I've got it! I seriously fear getting bitten, because I think my sangre is dulce as well. And in Atlanta, there are plenty of hungry bugs with a sweet tooth!
Last summer I tried L'Occitane's lavender insect repellant wipes after a friend used them during an African safari, but although they smelled great and didn't feel as gross and toxic as OFF, I didn't think they worked that well.
I'd love to hear from anyone who's found a solution to mosquitos, especially in terms of ridding their yard of them... I'm even willing to spend big bucks on one of the high-tech gadgets if I knew it worked.
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Great site for summertime survival tips and one of them is mosquitos.
Well people use plants like horsemint, marigolds, rosemary, or ageratum among others. It is a greener way to keep those darn mosquitoes away.
Oh yeah, and don't scratch if you do get bit, just spreads the toxin. The thing to do is put a hot (as hot as you can stand it) moist compress on the bite and let it naturally denature the toxin. You may have to do it 2 or 3 times and let it sit on the bite for 10 or 15 minutes but it does work. And then for the next few days if it starts to itch again, use an anti-itch ointment.
And good luck!
I don't like applying repellent ointments on my skin, but I do use them a lot, I mean it's not like you can carry your bat house everywhere or your horsemint plant with you at all times to keep those bloodsucking nuisances away. Whenever I feel I must use repellent I use catnip instead of DEET though. You can even grow your own catnip to make your own repellent.
As for that bat house, I'd love to have one of those!
First very funny article. Second most bug sprays don't work on my kids- especially my two year old with tons of sangre dulce. The few that do I worry about the future side effects. So many bug bites and a lot of worry later I invested (30 something bucks) in the Dynatrap. Its not as eco friendly as I'd like it to be and it doesn't catch as many mosquitoes as I like but it does help a little. I give it 3 stars. In the mean time I'll research the bat thing. I love bats but two little boys died lhere ast year from bat rabie bites so ....that worries me some. Rabies or West Nile? Its a toss up. I'll also research the natural rememdies. Something has to work and work well right? Its either that or stay inside all day. That's no fun especially not for my kids.
http://inventorspot.com/gloriacampos
I too have the sweet that the little blood-sucking heifers so love. I use a natural product made by "BADGER" that is sold at my local farmers' co-op. It's called Anti-Bug Balm. I also have lemongrass plantings on my deck. I use citron oil in a torch that sits next to my deck chair. I have used Skin-So-Soft soap. They all work to a degree. I still get bit pretty much daily. Am seriously considering the bat houses - my husband thinks it's a good idea. I hate the idea of trapping and zapping - there is a new device out there that supposedly contains a chemical that discourages them from being around. I would have to probably wear one of those things and they would probably still get to me. I'm convinced that some of us are just too sweet (our blood that is).
Debbie A. Roberts, Owner Mama's Lap, Inc. Nature's Best Cleaners - Safe for Planet Earth http://www.MamaBeMe.com see our enviro blog at: http://cafeverde.blogtoolkit.com
I think bats are everywhere that bugs are. So if you have bugs in New York then most likely you have bats.
Bats are safe as long as you don't try to pick them up or catch them. More prople get bit by domesticated dogs a year than they do bats. And more people get rabies from domesticated dogs than bats. And I don't think you are technically harboring bats in your yard, I just think they found a home in that box you attached to the side of your house ;)
http://www.batconservation.org/content/Bathouseimportance.html
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