We keep asking if the Mosquito’s are on steroids this year?! We say this every year, but this year seems to be the worst we’ve seen in a while! I even heard on the news last night that this could be a problem until October! Yes, 4 months of this torture!!!

Ok, but really!! Here is everything you need to know to survive the Mosquitos!!

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What Attracts Mosquitos to You?!

• Body Heat: Before mosquitoes can take a bite they have to find an area of the body where the blood is close to the surface. People who are over heated or who just finished working out will have blood closer to the surface of the skin throughout their body. “They use the heat to very quickly to determine where blood is closest to the surface,” (ABC News)
• Your Clothes: Avoiding any dark denim or all-black outfits. “If you dress in dark colors you stand out against the horizon and mosquitoes [can see you,]” (ABC News)
• Movement: Mosquitoes sense your movement and head toward you. When you pant from exertion, the smell of carbon dioxide from your heavy breathing draws them closer. So does the lactic acid from your sweat glands. (WebMD)

How to Keep Mosquitos Off Of You:

• Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn: peak mosquito biting hours!
• Fans: Since the insects are weak flyers, a strong breeze can render them unable to land.
• Use Insect Repellent Sprays or Lotions containing DEET! For babies, try this though!
• Wear Repellent Bracelets!
• Use Natural Lemongrass Citronella Mosquito Repellent Candles when outdoors!
• Remove all Standing Water in your Yard!! They will not go away unless everyone does this!!
• Coffee Grounds: To keep mosquitoes from multiplying scatter used coffee grounds in areas of standing water (if you can’t get rid of the standing water altogether). The mosquito eggs are drawn to the surface of the water and deprived of oxygen by the grounds – thus, they don’t hatch! (naturallivingideas)
• Plant Mosquito Repelling Plants in your Yard! Doubles are yard appeal too! According to (dfw.cbslocal), the best ones are Marigolds, Citronella, Catnip, Lavender, and Basil!
• Place Mosquito Repelling Lanterns & Lamps in your Yard!
• Wear Loose Fitted Long Sleeve Clothes when outdoors!
• If you have a little one, get a mosquito net to cover their strollers!
• Find out through your local news station or city, if they will be spraying and when they will get to your area!
• Into Essential Oils? Try Lavender!

Removing Bite Pain: 

• Don’t scratch the bite. That only irritates your skin further and could lead to infection. Give it a light washing with soap and cool water.
• Ice: Reduces Inflamation
• Benadryl: will prevent histamines from binding with receptors at the blood vessels. The vessels in the bite area return to normal, and the swelling and itching dissipates. Remember, you can take an antihistamine before going outside to minimize your allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. (MegaCatch)
• Heat up a spoon and apply to the bite. The heat will destroy the protein that caused the reaction and the itching will stop.
• Calamine lotion
• Baking Soda Paste: A lot of people find relief from their mosquito bite symptoms if they dab on a little bit of baking soda mixed with water on it. If none of these above methods have worked for you, try this. No one is really sure why it works, it just does. (IdeaHacks)

Mosquitos & Your Pets:

• Bring your animals inside during prime mosquito biting times!
• Dogs and cats experience the same itching and irritation around mosquito bites as humans, however a more serious concern is the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, especially heartworm.
• Insect repellent is often used to reduce mosquito bites in humans, but it can be unsafe for dogs and cats. Any human designed spray, especially those that contain DEET, may be toxic and should be avoided. Choose a repellant that is tested specifically on your pet, preferably with the advice of a veterinarian. (WagWalking)

 

Do you have any Tips to keep the mosquitos away? How to stop the bite pain? We’d love to hear!!

Until next time,

 

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No baby was bit in the taking of this photo!! lol