Natural Mosquito Prevention

Some ideas from HEALTH WATCH newsletter...

Although commercial pesticides are widely used and sometimes effective, do you really want a chemical repellent on your skin or in your environment that contains poisons? The same chemicals that are toxic to unwanted insects may also have adverse effects on humans. In fact the long term effects of chemicals like DEET still haven't been determined and the EPA has concluded that products containing DEET and similar chemicals are definitely not safe for long term use. So what can you do?

The good news is that there are many natural, non-toxic alternatives that can keep mosquitos and other biting insects at bay while you and your family commune with Mother Nature and explore the great outdoors. So when you need a repellent, instead of heading to the pharmacy or hardware store, head to the nearest garden center or health food store for natural products.

Citronella is among the most popular herbs used to control insects. Many people plant it in pots on the periphery of their property or put it on windowsills to discourage insects from entering the house. Citronella has a fresh lemony scent that goes well with sweeter scents. It is particularly fragrant when blended with lavender or mint. Most garden centers sell citronella candles that can safely be used on your patio or deck. You can also mix citronella with water in a spray bottle to take for hiking. Be sure to shake the bottle vigorously before applying to your skin.

Here are some other natural mosquito control measures you can try:

*  Take one vitamin B complex tablet per day. Many people find that when they  add B vitamin supplements to their daily routines they get fewer mosquito  bites.

*  Plant marigolds around your yard. This method works well as a bug repellent  because the fragrance of marigolds is offensive to many insects, including  mosquitos. This is a way to beautify your yard and keep insects at bay  without using chemical poisons and insecticides.

*  Dress in light colored clothing. Believe it or not mosquitos are drawn to dark colored clothing because it is easier for them to see from a distance.

*  Avoid fruity or floral fragrances in your perfume, soap, hair products etc. as these scents draw mosquitos to you.

The best way to keep mosquitos from biting is to prevent them from ever coming to your yard in the first place. Mosquitos reproduce and thrive in standing water. Any amount of standing water will do, so don't think you are safe from mosquito larvae just because you don't have a pool or lake nearby.

Some of mosquitos' favorite breeding areas include:

Water buckets and rain barrels
Bottles and cans
Empty plastic pots from the nursery and other concave odds and ends you may have thrown in a pile behind the garage
Clogged rain gutters and clogged drains
Birdbaths
Pet water bowls
Children's wading pools
Old tires

Walk around your property and make sure that you aren't inadvertently preparing breeding grounds for mosquitos. Control mosquitos the natural way so that you and your family can enjoy nature without suffering from painful, itchy bites.

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch