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I live in the South and we have begrudgingly been given the title of "Mosquito Central". Mosquitoes greatly appreciate our heat, humidity, rainfall, and proximity to water. As the weather warms, mosquito season begins and peaks in the mid-summer months. Around this time which is what prompted me to write this blog post.
Through studies, we know that mosquitoes carry parasites and pathogens, such as malaria and viruses. Therefore, avoiding mosquito bites altogether is the best approach.
You can help keep mosquitoes at bay by taking a tiered approach that includes: personal protection, protection inside of the home, protection outside your home, and protecting your pets by combining natural product solutions and practical tips.
Protect Yourself and Your Family:
Whether you are hiking or relaxing in the backyard, these tips will help you enjoy your outdoor time.
Always remember to keep personal natural repellent on hand. In an effort to avoid chemicals or toxic ingredients being absorbed into your skin, always choose a natural option that does not contain DEET. Insect repellents can be divided into two categories — those made with synthetic chemicals (DEET) and those made with plant-derived essential oils and other natural ingredients. Because many consumers are reluctant to apply DEET to their skin in fear of serious side effects, natural products are a safer alternative.
If you will be outside exposed to the sun, your first layer should be an organic, chemical- free sunscreen, and then apply your natural repellent.
Be sure you know the duration of protection of the product you choose. Most natural repellents must be reapplied every few hours.
Personal repellents can be applied to clothing to prevent mosquitoes from biting through. Always read and follow label instructions as some repellents should not be used with rayon, spandex, or other synthetic fabrics.
Protect yourself during outdoor sporting activities as mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon dioxide you release when you exhale. Body heat and lactic acid (a substance your body emits when you perspire) attract mosquitoes as well, so be sure to apply personal repellent during any sporting activity.
Avoiding beer consumption could be helpful too. Research has shown that those who drink beer had more mosquito bites than those who didn’t.
Protect inside your home:
Tips to help you keep unwanted mosquitoes from entering your home.
Be sure to use a repellent around the frame of your door inside and outside daily. Repellents with the essential oil peppermint seem to be the most effective at my house for mosquitoes and flies.
Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.
Caulk cracks and seal windows, repair weather strips around doors and close fireplace flues.
Keep your doors and windows shut, (especially with little ones coming in an out).
Protect outside your home:
Follow these tips to prevent unwanted mosquitoes from crashing your outdoor entertainment.
Remove standing water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes both outside the home and indoors. A container as small as a bottle cap can become their breeding ground. Look around for flowerpots, trash cans, buckets, dog bowls, toys, puddles and birdbaths that may collect water. If any water sits still for four to seven days, you’re giving mosquitoes a big chance to multiply. You need to eliminate any water to help reduce the risk of a mosquito infestation.
Keep the lawn mowed. Tall grass and weeds are favorite hang-outs for mosquitoes!
Mosquitoes are most active between sunset and sunrise. Try to plan your outdoor activities at different times to help avoid annoying bites. Wear long sleeves and pants, and avoid bright clothing and perfumes since these tend to attract mosquitoes.
Have mosquito repelling plants in your garden or outdoor areas such as citronella, lavender, lemongrass, mint, or basil.
Run outdoor fans on high to blow bugs away and disperse odors, making it harder for them to smell you.
Protect Your Pets
Just as mosquitoes bite humans, they can also bite dogs. Mosquitoes aren’t just an annoying nuisance; their bites can also lead to heartworm disease. When mosquitoes bite, they can pass heartworms to your dog, infecting your pet’s heart and lungs. Thankfully, not all mosquitoes carry heartworms, but all it takes is one bite from the wrong mosquito for your dog to become infected.
Never use a mosquito repellent meant for humans — many contain ingredients that are safe for people but extremely dangerous for pets.
Choose a dog-friendly mosquito repellent. Preferably a repellent with natural ingredients . Most of these come in a spray form and must be applied to your dog before every outing (and reapplied every few hours).
While you may enjoy a morning or evening walk with your dog, you should avoid walking near still or stagnant water at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. This will help prevent your dog — and you — from receiving excessive bites.
Discourage mosquitoes by treating your yard with a spray or adding natural mosquito deterrents like citronella candles.
Prevent heartworm with regular medication. While these preventive measurements can reduce your dog’s exposure to mosquitoes, it’s nearly impossible to prevent mosquito bites entirely. That’s why giving your dog regular heartworm medication is vital to their health and safety. Consult your vet for their recommendations to protect your pet from a potentially dangerous bite.
The bottom line:
With a few easy additions to your garden, managing outdoor pooling water, wearing natural repellent, and limiting your time outdoors during peak times, you can avoid these pesky bloodsuckers!
We hope that you find our posts helpful and please feel free to forward this information. I strive to educate my patients on all aspects of health. If you have a question or need more information on a particular topic, please post in the comments or contact Dr. Angela directly. I look forward to hearing from you!
Best of Health,
Dr. Angela
Founder of Nashville Organix
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