When the temperature soars, there’s one very unwelcome guest you don’t want ruining your plans. The summer is meant to be spent outdoors, but with the mosquito activity at its peak, many may constrain from staying indoors. Mosquitoes are definitely one of the major concerns of summer. Not only do they leave a nasty bite that drives you crazy, but they can carry viruses that may make you very sick.
If you want to enjoy the sun to the fullest without having a fear of being infected with a mosquito-borne disease, it’s an excellent time to review the best ways to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can be quite dangerous, spreading diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever. Even though you can get help from commercial mosquito control services, it is also important that you follow a few guidelines for preventing bites while you bask in the sun.
Image by Kranich17
Whether you’re traveling to Africa or the Caribbean, planning on spending time camping, kayaking, hiking, or just enjoying a sunset picnic at the park, here are the best ways to protect yourself and your home from these bloodthirsty arthropods.
Dry out any standing water near your home
It takes the smallest amount for mosquitos to breed in. Whether it’s in an old flower pot, a rain gutter, or a birdbath, any standing water can become a breeding ground for these insects. So if you want to get rid of mosquitoes, you have to nip them in the bud. Target the larvae before they become bloodthirsty, disease-spreading mosquitoes. As they lay their eggs in standing water, drain all standing water on your property. If you do have a pond, try adding in mosquito-eating fishes like guppies or minnows. You can also add a waterfall or fountain to keep the water moving or treat it with a natural bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis, which kills mosquito larvae but is harmless to people, plants, and pets.
Anything else that collects water should be removed or sprayed with insecticide. If the problem persists, you might want to seek help from Mosquito Sheriff, where we offer affordable commercial and residential mosquito control services.
Use Mosquito Repellent
One of the most effective ways to prevent bites is to use repellents. Chemical repellents often contain DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 insecticide, which are all considered safe when used as directed. They can be used by pregnant and nursing women, as well as babies over 2 months, but with lower concentrations of DEET. You can also choose to make your own natural DIY mosquito repellent with things that can easily be found in your pantry. Before going out, you may want to spray the repellant on your ankles, feet, lower legs, and wrists – the thin-skinned spots mosquitoes love to bite.
Cover Yourself with Clothing
Mosquitoes will usually target your bare, unprotected skin first. So be sure to cover your head with a hat, your arms with a long-sleeved shirt, and your legs with long pants when you go outside. You may feel hot, but still, you will be protected from dangerous bites.
You may even go a step further and treat your clothing with permethrin, a synthetic insect repellent for added protection. Permethrin sprays can be purchased from retailers that cater to camping or outdoor sports enthusiasts, or you can ask those who provide commercial mosquito control services.
The clothes treated with permethrin will remain protective even after a number of launderings. Still, you may want to check the product information to learn exactly how long the protection will last. If treating the clothes yourself, follow the product instructions with care. Ensure there is no direct skin contact with the permethrin products because they are made to treat clothing only.
Wear Light-Colored Clothing
As deeper colors like black, dark blue, and red stand out, they attract all sorts of bugs, including mosquitoes. Thicker and light-colored fabrics that are loosely fit offer more protection when out in the sun.
Make Yourself Less Appealing
While scientists are still studying the reason why some people get more mosquito bites than others, it has been noted that drinking an excessive amount of beer can make some people more appealing, just like emitting more C02 or having more bacteria on your skin. It was also found that people with type O blood are a mosquito’s type. These are some things that can’t be changed, so you may want to try wearing a scent that mosquitoes dislike in order to make yourself less appealing.
Avoid Peak Mosquito Hours if Possible
Similar to humans, mosquitoes crave a meal during certain times of the day. It’s often around dusk and dawn that these critters feast. One of the reasons for this is because the wind normally dissipates as the sun rises and sets, allowing mosquitoes to come out and feed. Choose to stay inside during these times when the weather is warm if you want to prevent the many mosquito bites.
Spray the Yard for Mosquitoes
If you reside in an area where the mosquitoes are intolerable, it might be a wise choice to hire commercial mosquito control services to come and treat your yard with insecticide. This will ensure that the mosquitoes won’t come anywhere near your place.
Final Thoughts
With all the deadly diseases they spread, it’s no wonder why mosquitoes are considered to be one of the most dangerous insects in the world. These tiny little creatures, who are always ready to chow you down, are responsible for millions of death each year. That’s why preventing mosquito bites should be a priority, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors. Call Mosquito Sheriff to get rid of this issue once and for all! Mosquito Sheriff provides expert commercial and residential mosquito control services to keep you and your family safe.
