Summer, the season of abundance, gives us mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies. Annoying little things, aren’t they? Aside from the itch and red bump factor, some insects carry disease, i.e. Malaria, West Nile disease, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Leishmaniasis, etc. Practice bite avoidance by following the tips listed below.
For Mosquito Bite Prevention: * Before going outdoors, apply a natural oil based insect repellent. It stays on your skin longer and mosquitoes dislike oil. If you are very active, reapply every hour to an hour and a half. * Make sure you apply your bug repellent, paying close attention to the warmer parts of your body, i.e. neck, crook of elbows & wrists. * Wear long, loose clothing. * Choose green, brown or white clothing. Do not wear red or pink or blue. Mosquitoes and other insects love these colors. * If possible, avoid being out at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are more active. * Stay in the sun, mosquitoes prefer dark, damp areas. * Eat garlic or take vitamin B-1. Avoid sugar. * Mosquitoes can sense you more if your breathing is heavy or agitated and you are sweating. Stay cool and calm.
* Avoid perfumes and colognes. For Tick Prevention: * Use a bug repellent in the same manner you do to prevent mosquito bites. * If walking through brush, meadows, leaf piles or forested areas, wear shoes, socks, long pants tucked into your socks and wear light colors. * Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks. Remove any you find. Call your Physician if you or anyone else in your family feels ill after tick removal. For Sand Fly Bite Prevention: * Apply a natural bug repellent. If you swim, reapply when you come out of the water. * Avoid piles of seaweed when walking on the beach as sand flies feed on organic and decaying matter. * Sand Flies are most active at dawn, dusk and nightfall. Protect yourself and your family during those times. * If visiting wetlands, swamplands, creeks, and lake-beds, other favorite places of the sand fly, make sure you wear long sleeves and long pants. Tuck your pants into your socks. Spray your skin and your clothing with your bug repellent. Remember, if you’ve been bitten and have a fever, chills, excessive swelling, discoloration or any other unusual symptoms, you should call your doctor. These insects can carry disease or you could have a topical or systemic allergic reaction.