There are a number of things recommended to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and black flies, such as wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting garments tucked into the clothing or boots to prevent them from crawling underneath, or wearing fly netting. Apparently dark colours tend to attract the insects. Who knew?
It is also recommended to avoid outdoor activities during peak fly periods. These insects tend to have population peaks in early summer. That’s when they whirl around like small helicopters. The worst time for attacks is early in the morning, after a rain or in the early evening. That pretty much covers it! Mosquitoes like to dine at dusk – just when you might want to water your gardens for the evening or enjoy a back yard barbecue.
Of course, if you have to be outdoors sometime without your long sleeves and pants or fine mesh netting in the hot, humid temperatures, you could always wear insect repellent to avoid dealing the these insects that are everywhere this time of year. Most insect repellents on the market contain ingredients like deet (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), 6-12 (2-ethyl-1, 3 hexanediol), citronyl, and DMP (dimethyl phthalate) and leave the skin coated with a film of icky chemicals that not only are questionably safe for kids but smell awful too. When you see warnings like: “Do not apply to children under 12 years old” or “avoid the eyes and mouth, certain fibers and plants” it kind of makes you wonder if you should be applying these chemicals to your body at all and what effect they have on the environment.
Research has shown, for example, that the insect repellant diethyltoluamide (DEET) is easily absorbed through the skin and can be neurotoxic in heavy doses. There is evidence for dermal effects, including urticaria, dermatitis, blistering, scarring in workers and in children from exposure to solutions of 50 to 75 percent DEET. There have also been several clinical reports of various neurotoxic effects in children such as toxic encephalopathy and seizures from dermal absorption of solutions with relatively lower concentrations of DEET. So do you really want to take a chance by using this on you or your children?
There are many environment-friendly, natural deterrents, besides lighting the citronella candles on the patio, to keep mosquitoes away. First we could get rid of standing water sources like birdbaths and wading pools because that is where female critters like to lay their eggs. Pet bowls should be changed a couple of times a day. There are certain plants that mosquitoes can’t stand the scent of, including catnip, rosemary, citronella grass, lavender, cinnamon, and peppermint – all good things to keep in mind as you’re landscaping your backyard.
Like vampires, mosquitoes are said to be garlic-phoebes. Slice a clove in half and rub the cut side on your skin, or mix one part garlic juice with five parts water in a spray bottle, shake, and spritz it on. If you can’t bear the smell on your body, saturate dish cloths in the solution to hang around your patio when you’re hanging out outdoors.
Placing rosemary and sage directly onto the coals while you’re grilling can also help keep critters away. Certain essential oils, like lemon eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, and caster oil, are also said to be effective mosquito deterrents. Try mixing 10-25 drops of one of these oils with two tablespoons of either olive oil or any other kind of cooking oil to spray on your skin.
Since mosquitoes are most active at sunrise and sunset, try to avoid being outside 30 minutes before and after dawn and dusk and think white/light when you’re getting dressed to spend time outdoors since they’re attracted to dark clothing.
Flowery perfumes and soaps also have come-hither effect on mosquitoes, so avoid them outside. Beware of scented deodorants and hair products too. To create a mosquito no-fly zone, you can also position yourself near a fan to make it much harder for them to land.
Crushed parsley mixed into a bottle of apple cider vinegar is also good for deterring mosquitoes. You could try rubbing the mixture on your skin, or soaking a handkerchief in it to tie around your neck.
There are a number of things we can do to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and black flies and help the environment at the same time.
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