Nothing can ruin a nice summer evening outdoors than mosquitoes and black flies.
Regional News
July 09, 2009 09:47 AM
Pesky bugs
Amanda Persico
When the weather turns warm, nothing beats camping or sitting out on a patio with a few friends.
But nothing ruins outdoor fun more than an invasion of pesky mosquitoes and black flies.
The weather impacts mosquito breeding, York Region Public Health manager of health protection Joseph Mancuso explains. There tends to be larger outbreaks during summer when heavy rainfall and humidity make for perfect mating conditions.
Mosquitoes and black flies are most prevalent during daybreak and sunset and public health warns you to avoid or limit outdoor activity during these periods.
The biting nuisances use their vision to locate their next meal, so say away from dark colours, such as black, blue, brown and purple, that radiate heat and instead wear lighter clothes.
These buzzing pests have mastered the art of crawling under clothing and biting inaccessible places, such as ankles and the belt line, so tucking your pant cuffs into your socks will help limit such activity.
“The more exposure, the more the mosquitoes horn in and bite,” Mr. Mancuso says.
Mosquitoes are attracted to floral or fruity scents, perfume, hair products, scented sunscreens, fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
They are also attracted to carbon dioxide and lactic acid, produced while sweating.
“It’s perfume for them,” says Kimberly Gray, the region’s zoonotic co-ordinator, of the air we exhale.
Personal protection is the best way to ward off mosquitoes, avoid itchy bites and protect yourself from contracting the West Nile virus. Public health officials recommend the use of bug repellents containing DEET, used in accordance with label instructions.
The percentage of DEET determines how long you are protected – the higher the percentage, the longer DEET protection is effective against mosquitoes.
West Nile has been confirmed in York Region since 2001, Ms Gray says.
Last year, there was one confirmed human case of West Nile virus in the region, two confirmed bird cases and two confirmed mosquito pools. That’s down from 2007, where there were 10 bird and mosquito pools and three human cases.
There are more than 50 different mosquito species and about a dozen have been known to carry the West Nile virus, Ms Gray says.
“We can’t eliminate all the mosquitoes, but you can protect yourself from being bitten,” she adds.
As the West Nile virus is already confirmed in Ontario, the province and region no longer conduct a dead bird surveillance program and you should use proper precautions when disposing of dead birds, Ms. Gray says.
“We already know it’s here,” she says. “It’s hard to track where exactly the bird was bitten. It’s hard to tell which mosquitoes carry the virus and which don’t. The best bet is to protect yourself and prevent breeding.”
Mosquito larvae develop in standing water and they don’t need much of it, Mr. Mancuso says. To help prevent this, you should clear standing water around your home, such as in bird baths, tires, inactive pools and pool covers, children’s wading pools, rain barrels, children’s toys that can hold water, watering cans and clogged eavestrough.
“They are going to lay eggs and multiply,” Mr. Mancuso says. “Removing standing water is the cheapest way to eliminate mosquitoes.”
This summer, don’t let the bug bites keep you prisoner in your own home.
Bug off
Here are some ways to keep mosquitoes and black flies at bay. Although these remedies are not as long-lasting as DEET sprays, they can work just as well and are feature common household items. Remember to reapply every couple of hours.
• Bug repellents containing DEET
• Sit in front of a fan. Mosquitoes and black flies can’t bite as easily when it is windy
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors at night. Tuck you pants into your socks to prevent mosquitoes and black flies getting under the clothing
• Try this all-purpose bug spray: Mix two table spoons of cayenne with a few drops of lemon dish soap with water in a spray bottle
• Placing certain oils in dishes around the sitting area, the following oils can be used to repel mosquitoes: citronella, lemon eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, lemongrass, cedar, peppermint, clove, lavender, pine, basil, thyme, allspice, soybean, catnip and garlic
• Pour two parts of original flavour or amber colour mouthwash into a spray bottle with water
• Lather yourself in baby oil. Mosquitoes stick to you but they can’t bite
• Take extra vitamin B pills during mosquito season
• Dab vanilla extract on pulse points
• Plant rosemary, marigolds or geraniums near entrances and doorways
• Pour a few drops of lemon dish soap with water into a plate and let sit. Mosquitoes will flock to the plate and get stuck in the soap