Keep all your blood this summer with these mosquito tips
I am scratching my ankle as I write this. Mosquito season is in full swing where I live and around these parts mosquitoes carry the West Nile Virus which makes them not only annoying but dangerous. I don't like a lot of commercial sprays because I figure that if the stuff makes my eyes water, I don't need to look at the label to know that it's probably bad for my health. Here are a few natural ways to keep the bloodsuckers at bay.
- Standing water makes perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Empty water from all buckets, kiddie pools, spare tires or whatever else you might have hanging around your yard.
- I've heard that eating garlic will repel mosquitoes and if you are looking for a stronger variation, you can rub garlic on your skin. Bananas on the other hand attracts them.
- Stay away from scented shampoos, deodorants and perfumes as these tend to attract pests.
- Planting herbs in your backyard may help too. Basil and rosemary tend to repel mosquitoes.
- Ingesting Thiamine in the form of a B-1 tablet is rumored to give the skin an odor indiscernible to humans but unpleasant to mosquitoes.
- Natural oils like citronella and tea tree oil are save enough to put directly on the skin to keep mosquitoes at bay.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-27-2008 @ 9:12PM
Chris said...
That's not a mosquito -- its a crane fly. West Nile Virus is a bunch of hype. And, aside from the standing water, I wouldn't be surprised if most of these ways to repel mosquito's are BS. Peace.
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5-27-2008 @ 9:14PM
kelly.leahy said...
It's quite possible that it's not a mosquito, I'll give you that. However, two years ago I had a close friend in the hospital for two months due to West Nile. I wonder if she would agree with you that it's a bunch of hype.
5-27-2008 @ 10:00PM
Green & Clean Mom said...
West Nile isn't hype if you're the person who was bit by the infected bug. I have a good solution for you that isn't toxic and smells good. We don't need pesticides!
www.kidsafepestcontrol.blogspot.com
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 10:00PM
kelly.leahy said...
Thanks for the link!
5-28-2008 @ 12:54PM
Nyx said...
It's a crane fly. And straight tea tree oil can severely irritate skin, so I would recommend cutting it before wearing.
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