Dear Reader,
This summer, make a promise to yourself that
you will spend more time swimming and less time swatting. One of the
most profound pleasures of spring is a picnic by the lake or in the
woods. And some of the worst irritations of spring involve insects that
bite and sting. Of all of the insects that conspire to make our summer outings less
than perfect, mosquitos take center stage. There are more than 2500
species of mosquitos throughout the world, including about 200 species
in the United States.
Although commercial pesticides are widely used and sometimes effective,
do you really want a chemical repellent on your skin or in your
environment that contains poisons? The same chemicals that are toxic to
unwanted insects may also have adverse effects on humans. In fact the
long term effects of chemicals like DEET still haven't been determined
and the EPA has concluded that products containing DEET and similar
chemicals are definitely not safe for long term use. So what can you do?
The good news is that there are many natural, non-toxic alternatives
that can keep mosquitos and other biting insects at bay while you and
your family commune with Mother Nature and explore the great outdoors.
So when you need a repellent, instead of heading to the pharmacy or
hardware store, head to the nearest garden center or health food store
for natural products.
Citronella is among the most popular herbs used to control insects.
Many people plant it in pots on the periphery of their property or put
it on windowsills to discourage insects from entering the house.
Citronella has a fresh lemony scent that goes well with sweeter scents.
It is particularly fragrant when blended with lavender or mint. Most
garden centers sell citronella candles that can safely be used on your
patio or deck. You can also mix citronella with water in a spray bottle
to take for hiking. Be sure to shake the bottle vigorously before
applying to your skin.
Here are some other natural mosquito control measures you can try:
*
Take one vitamin B complex tablet per day. Many people find that when
they add B vitamin supplements to their daily routines they get fewer
mosquito bites.
* Plant marigolds around
your yard. This method works well as a bug repellent because the
fragrance of marigolds is offensive to many insects, including
mosquitos. This is a way to beautify your yard and keep insects at bay
without using chemical poisons and insecticides.
*
Dress in light colored clothing. Believe it or not mosquitos are drawn
to dark colored clothing because it is easier for them to see from a
distance.
* Avoid fruity or floral fragrances in your perfume, soap, hair products etc. as these scents draw mosquitos to you.
The
best way to keep mosquitos from biting is to prevent them from ever
coming to your yard in the first place. Mosquitos reproduce and thrive
in standing water. Any amount of standing water will do, so don't think
you are safe from mosquito larvae just because you don't have a pool or
lake nearby.
Some of mosquitos' favorite breeding areas include:
Water buckets and rain barrels
Bottles and cans
Empty plastic pots from the nursery and other concave odds and ends you
may have thrown in a pile behind the garage
Clogged rain gutters and clogged drains
Birdbaths
Pet water bowls
Children's wading pools
Old tires
Walk
around your property and make sure that you aren't inadvertently
preparing breeding grounds for mosquitos. Control mosquitos the natural
way so that you and your family can enjoy nature without suffering from
painful, itchy bites.
Yours in good health,
Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch
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