Imagine it with me. You are enjoying the great outdoors; limitless expanses of green, sprinkled with the swaying yellow of jessamine. Being the springtime, the air is in motion so that the hottest part of the day is still relieved by a sudden gust. The song of the birds compliment your existence and the bees waive their goodbyes on their route to some distant hive. Feeling liberated from your body, you feel that nothing can interfere with this timeless sensation until…you look down at your arms to see bloated, red splotches that pulsate and cry out into the limitless blue above you. You have seen these markings before. They come from the all too common bane of existence known as the mosquito. If you had read through some of my pointers beforehand, you would be well prepared to deal with this interesting creature in a way that prevents harm to the both of you. I mean, you could always look for a local storage option (Mobile Attic) to give you shelter… of course, the first step to living with these bloodsuckers is education; and live with them you must (being in South Carolina and all). So, sit back, and don’t scratch, as we delve into the world of these interesting insects.
The Mosquito. One of the most cosmopolitan species on planet Earth. Their family, Culicidae, can be found on every continent in the world minus the big block of ice to the south. If you want to escape the mosquitos, either join a research team to Antarctica or go to Iceland. Both are cold and boring, and the little critters like to party in warmer climates. In temperate to tropical regions, mosquitoes can feed year-round, but their cold habitat brethren take breaks to hibernate. The females of the species are the ones that can give you a bite, known as ectoparasites. They have bendy straw-like proboscis that dip just below the skin to get some of that crimson goodness. Yum. Mosquitoes feed on just about everything. EVERYTHING. They even attack spiders on occasion. Instead of regarding them as a nuisance, you should see them for what they are: fearless beasts that are willing to take on giant, dangerous animals to feed themselves and their young. There is certainly something honorable in that. It isn’t the bite itself that irritates you, nor is it the loss of blood. The real problem comes from the saliva of the mosquito entering your body. The rash is a reaction to this foreign body. So just remember next time you get a bite, it’s just a mosquito spitting on you.
The Relief. The minor burning sensation plays over and over in your head until it drives you crazy. Your solution may be to take the entire mosquito population and put them into some local storage. If you go the Mobile Attic route, they will all die from a lack of moisture (didn’t think I’d be able to sneak a feature in there, did you?). Of course, we are dealing with natural ways to handle the issue, without harming those critters. My mother would keep an Aloe plant on the windowsill for cooking burns, but this came in handy whenever we had mosquito bite. Organic aloe juice is a great option if you don’t have the plant around. Another interesting remedy is the all-powerful vinegar. If you have a small number of bumps, you can apply a few drops of vinegar directly. For more serious situations, combine water in a bath with a few cups of vinegar and sit for half an hour. This should relieve the itching sensation. Raw Honey has been used for its anti-microbial properties for centuries, and it can be used in this situation as well! Always use local honey because it supports local farmers and improves your allergy problem when you eat it regularly.
The Repellant. I remember hearing stories from older folks that would swear by putting dishes of urine out to keep Mosquitoes away. If you’re like me, that doesn’t sound particularly appealing. Fortunately, there are some other ways to keep mosquitoes from feasting on your blood. Make sure that you get rid of any stagnant or standing water on the property, as mosquitoes use these areas to lay eggs. Draining these areas can seriously reduce the population nearby. Consider planting certain fragrant plants in the yard, like lavender or lemon grass. The lavender is strong enough to keep the mosquitoes away and it can also be used for relief if you are bitten. The lemon grass also makes a great tea! Well placed candles or lanterns can also deter mosquitoes, and they will make your yard look enchanting. This just gives you an excuse to set up that bonfire!
If you plan to entertain, follow these steps to reduce the mosquito problem and rely on Mobile Attic to provide that local storage for your landscaping or renovation project. Or you can just hide in
Recent Comments