The constant buzzing and humming sound in your ear are not only irritating, but potentially dangerous. As the summer months get hotter, increased moisture evaporates into the air. This creates the perfect breeding ground for the world’s collectively most-hated animal – the mosquito. Not to mention, we tend to spend more time outdoors during these months, also making ourselves more readily available to these blood sucking creatures.
Given the combination of these circumstances, it’s important to be on high alert during the summer. Mosquitoes won’t just cover you in annoying and itchy bites, they can also be highly dangerous and carry serious viruses such as:
- Dengue
- Zika
- Chikungunya
- Malaria
- Ross River
- Japanese encephalitis
- Lymphatic filariasis
- Yellow Fever
Even today, with knowledge about these diseases and their transmission, mosquitoes infect more than 200 million people with Malaria each year (killing around 2 to 3 million people worldwide).
However, you probably won’t need to worry about contracting Malaria from a mosquito if you’re simply sitting on your back porch in some place like Texas. This disease is rarely transmitted in the United States. Nevertheless, it’s still important to be aware of the possible risks in case you travel to an area with higher chances of infection. So, without further ado, here are seven ways you can protect yourself from mosquitoes this summer.
Avoid Mosquito Prone Areas
If you can’t beat them, don’t join them. During these humid months, it’s best to stay away from mosquito-prone areas where the ground stays moist and wet, for example marshes. Similarly, you can do yourself a favour by staying indoors during dusk and dawn which is when they are most likely to be out.
Sleep with Anti-Bug Netting
Find yourself waking up with hundreds of mozzie bites? Then it’s probably worth investing in an anti-bug net. Make sure to purchase a mosquito net that will fit underneath your mattress snugly. This will provide plenty of protection at a time in which you are most vulnerable. Spraying anti mosquito spray around the frame of your bed will also help. Similarly, if you enjoy leaving the windows open at night, make sure to cover any openings with bug nets.
Install a Misting System
If you really want to notice a difference in the level of mosquitoes around your property, we recommend that you consider a mosquito misting system. This device will automatically spray insecticides to ward off unwanted bugs from your home. You can even program the mist to go off at specific times of the day so it won’t affect your daily routine and you can still enjoy your garden.
Use Insect Repellent
One of the most common ways to get rid of a trail of mosquitoes is by covering yourself in insect repellent. Bear in mind that the effectiveness of the spray will vary according to the ingredients. We suggest you look for sprays made with DEET, picaridin, permethrin, or lemon eucalyptus oil. Stay away from toxic sprays that can be detrimental to your health.
Wear Protective Clothing
Although nobody likes to wear long-sleeved clothing during the summer, this can help avoid any nasty bites. Make sure to pick breathable fabrics that will help provide ventilation. Another top tip is to avoid wearing any strong fragrances, such as perfume or cologne, as this can make you more attractive to mosquitoes.
Chlorinate Your Swimming Pool
If you have a pool in your backyard, make sure to keep it clean and chlorinated, even if it is not in use. This will help maintain your pool in great shape and reduce the growth of any mosquito larvae. Another option is to plant plenty of foliage around your pool that is known to naturally repel mosquitoes, this includes citronella grass, catnip, vanilla lead, and sagebrush.
Remove Stagnant Water
As we have previously noted, mosquitoes are attracted to stagnant water, so make sure there’s none in your yard. We recommend checking outdoor faucets and hoses to ensure there are no pesky leaks. Similarly, check the cracks in your foundations, as this can create a perfecting breeding ground for mosquitoes.
All in all, mosquitoes are incredibly annoying because they still find ways to bite you even when you’re taking all the precautions possible. However, three or four bites is very little in comparison to 20 or 30, so every effort counts. Hopefully, these tips inspire you to make some changes at home and keep you safe during the summer.
