Ever feel like you’re the life of the party when it comes to mosquito bites? Seems like every backyard barbeque has at least one person who takes one for the team. In a previous post, we’ve discussed the reasons for this disparity. In this post, we offer some tips on how to prevent mosquito bites for the vulnerable among us.
Why Prevent Mosquito Bites?
At a minimum, mosquito bites are painful and annoying. Sometimes referred to as Skeeter Syndrome, the site of a bite can become itchy, tender, and swollen. This is not a result of the bite itself, but an allergic reaction to the proteins in the mosquito’s saliva.
More seriously, mosquitoes carry disease. Recently, West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Arizona mosquitoes. While there are varying risk factors for West Nile Virus, fewer than one percent of infected people show severe symptoms. Various other mosquito-borne viruses such as Dengue or Zika are found in locations outside the continental US.
Protect Your Person
- Choose Smart Clothing: A simple way to prevent mosquito bites is through smart clothing selection: long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats provide an effective physical barrier. And be sure to choose light colors—not only are they cooler in the sun, but they don’t attract mosquitoes as dark colors do.
- Use Insect repellent: Insect repellent is another important tool to prevent mosquito bites. Look for brands with 30 percent DEET. For a more natural repellent, try a combination of lemon and eucalyptus oil. See this helpful buyer’s guide for more guidance on choosing an insect repellant.
Protect Children and the Elderly
Parents and caregivers of children especially should follow these guidelines since children typically have more serious reactions than adults. This is because most people become desensitized to mosquito bites over their lifetime. Similarly, older adults should take caution as well, as individuals over 60 may experience harsher symptoms.
Protect Your Home Environment
The final key regarding how to prevent mosquito bites is to eliminate them from around your home.
- Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside the home
- Regularly check your yard for standing water such as bird baths, children’s pools, and gutters
- Report dead birds to a local health agency, as they can transmit West Nile to mosquitoes.
- Use a mosquito trap. Conquistador Pest and Termite’s mosquito trap is sold separately or included in their Conquer All Program.
Controlling mosquitoes in your yard is difficult because they breed rapidly. Did you know one female can produce up to 500 eggs? Mosquito traps have been proven to be an effective way to eliminate 95 percent of mosquitoes and their eggs in only 15 days.
If you’re concerned about mosquitoes around your home, request a free inspection from Conquistador Pest & Termite. A mosquito trap is included in the Conquer All Program. Next time you have an outdoor party, your guests will thank you!
