Organic Insecticides | Organic Pesticides | EcoSMART Bug Spray

Mosquito Bites Bite!

November 6th, 2008 Posted in Mosquitoes & Repellent

You love the outdoors, but not the bugs that go along with it, especially bugs that bite. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases like West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. Luckily, there are some steps you can take so that you can relax and enjoy the sunset.

This article discusses:

• Facts about the mosquito
• Controlling mosquitoes
• Preventing mosquito bites
• Mosquito repellent

Facts About the Mosquito

• A mosquito’s wing beats 300-600 times per second.
• Only female mosquitoes bite; they use proteins from blood to produce eggs.
• Male mosquitoes are excellent listeners. They find females of the same species by listening to the pitch made by her wings beating.
• Mosquitoes select their victims by evaluating scent, exhaled carbon dioxide and the chemicals in an individual’s sweat.
• Mosquitoes are more likely to bite men, those with Type O blood and those who are overweight.

Mosquito Control

Mosquito populations are best controlled on an area-wide basis by public agencies like local health departments. However, there are steps you can make to lessen a mosquito problem around your home.

Make them homeless!

Mosquitoes have four life stages: eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. In three of these stages, mosquitoes live in water, which is why eliminating and changing water sources is essential in controlling mosquito populations. To do so, follow the tips below:

• Eliminate standing water from tiys and any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
• Change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, and potted plant trays at least once a week.
• Keep swimming pools treated and water circulating.
• Keep rain gutters unclogged to avoid standing water.
• Fill temporary pools of water with dirt.
• Stock your pond with mosquito-eating fish or bacteria, like Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis (Bti) and remove excess vegetation.

Bti is the most widely used larvacide and can eliminate 95-100% of mosquito larvae when applied at recommended rates. Bti does not pose risks to wildlife, nontarget species (like humans), or the environment, if used correctly.

Ready…aim…spray!

Water-based aerosol sprays and hose-end sprayers are sold at most home improvement stores. Many are labeled for use either indoors or outdoors—not both. So, be sure to check the label before purchase and use. You never want to use an outdoor spray indoors. Indoor sprays are usually aerosols, and outdoor sprays are usually concentrates that you dilute using a garden hose.

Some mosquito control products are labeled for use for both inside and outside, like EcoSMART’s Flying Insect Killer. Its formula includes organic plant oils, like peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, and sesame oil. It works by spraying directly at the mosquitoes in short 2-3 second bursts. It is university-tested and proven effective . Better yet its all food grade ingredients make it safe for the environment, pets and humans.

Try EcoSMART for free to get rid of mosquitoes.

Other methods

• Some believe the misconception that citronella candles work; in reality, they are only mildly effective, especially when compared to regular candles. So your romantic mood-setting candles work nearly as well.
• There are commercial coils, lamps, lanterns, and no-pest strips for mosquito control. These products may work for short periods of time (up to 8 hours) and refills are generally available.
• Mosquito traps can control mosquitoes by attracting then killing or trapping them. Though they can catch or kill many, they also pose a problem: they serve as attractants and draw more mosquitoes to the area.

Prevent Mosquito Bites

As you know, mosquitoes are personal space invaders with a Count Dracula-habit of blood sucking. If you’re a vampire conousseur, you are aware that garlic will keep them away—it keeps mosquitoes away, too. However, there are other ways to avoid mosquito bites without smelling like an Italian restaurant.

• Use mosquito repellent (see below) following directions on label.
• Wear head nets and long sleeves and pants if doing activity in high-populated mosquito hang outs.
• Wear light colored clothing, since mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothes because they tend to absorb heat (heat attracts them).
• Stay indoors if a mosquito-borne disease warning is in effect, especially in the evening.
• Check to make sure windows and door screens are “bug tight.”
• Replace all outdoor lights with “bug lights” that attract less mosquitoes.
• Eat garlic, B1 vitamins, brewers yeast, and lemons.

Mosquito Repellent

What’s all the heat about DEET?

DEET products are very effective, and the EPA says that limited exposure to it is okay. However, DEET is a chemical that if over-applied can cause harm to humans. Your skin absorbs it, and DEET eventually enters your bloodstream. If you are overexposed to DEET, you may have memory loss, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and shortness of breath. So, be careful to follow the directions on the label if you choose to use a DEET product.

Do-It-Youself Natural Mosquito Repellents

• Experiment with vanilla extract—for some, applying it to pulse points works; for others, applying it on clothes and all over skin is most effective.
• Crush certain plant leaves (citronella, lavender, basil, catnip, pennyroyal, tansy, and marigolds) and rub them all over your clothes and skin. Tossing the bruised leaves around outdoor activity areas helps.
• Mix essential oils (e.g. lemongrass oil, tansy oil, or pennyroyal oil) with rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, or distilled water and spritz all over.

Use EcoSMART Organic Insect Repellent

EcoSMART’s natural insect repellent is made with a patented blend of organic plant oils such as rosemary oil, cinnamon leaf oil, lemongrass, oil, and geraniol, EcoSMART’s Organic Insect Repellent might just be the best mosquito repellent out there; highly effective against mosquitoes and other biting insects, yet perfectly safe for use on people, including kids!

Why do mosquito bites itch?

Did you know the first time you were bit by a mosquito, you had no reaction? When a female mosquito stabs her victim with her mouthparts, she injects her saliva, which has digestive enzymes and anticoagulants (keeps your blood from clotting). With subsequent bites, the victim becomes sensitized to these foreign proteins and itchy, red bumps appear about 24 hours later.

Some people eventually become insensitive again, as if they had allergy shots; others become more sensitive and with subsequent bites can begin blistering or bruising.

Do not scratch a mosquito bite, since it damages the inflamed cells around the bite and helps spread the proteins even further. Instead, try dabbing the bump with rubbing alcohol. Or, try applying hydrocortisone crème (0.5% or 1%), calamine lotion or baking soda paste to the bite several times a day. (To make baking soda paste: Mix 3 tablespoons baking soda to 1 teaspoon water) Also, putting a piece of tape over the bite may help, if not, at least it is harder to scratch!