I WANT TO SUCK YOUR BLOOD! - MOSQUITOES
No, I'm not talking about Count Dracula - I'm talking about my relatives - those annoying mosquitoes, or "skeeters," as they are sometimes called. (In case you didn't guess, that's where I got my name!) Anyhow, mosquitoes need to bite you, not to protect themselves or their homes as bees do, but for their dinner. That's right, female mosquitoes rely
on human and animal blood for their meals (male mosquitoes don't ever bite humans, instead relying on plants and flowers for food).
Mosquitoes actually find you by detecting the carbon dioxide that you breathe out when you exhale. They can "smell" a human from more than 90 feet away, making you a sure target as long as you're breathing outdoors (which is pretty hard to avoid doing!). In fact, the reason some people get bit more than others has to do with the amount of odors that come from their bodies.
If you live in an area of the country where there is a lot of rainfall during the warm-weather months, chances are you'll be getting more than a few bites this summer. Take it from me, female mosquitoes just love to lay their eggs in puddles, swamps or even water that collects in the sand bucket that you left outside after your recent trip to the beach!
*IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR PARENTS!
While insect repellants with DEET are the best type for avoiding mosquitoes and other biting insects, ticks and chiggers, etc., look for repellants designed especially for kids. Make sure to read and follow the directions.
While mosquitoes are often hard to avoid, relieving the itching from their bites is pretty simple for most people. Applying an anti-itch medication, such as Lanacane®, will act on the itch nerves to stop the itch sensation to the brain and reduce the chance of getting caught up in the itch/scratch/itch cycle, which is very common with mosquito bites - you itch, you scratch and it only makes you itch more! And, if you scratch too much, germs can get into your skin and cause an infection - gross!
Bite Back...
Some tips on avoiding mosquitoes:
- Use insect repellant that contains DEET, but have mom or dad put it on you.
- If camping or hiking in high-mosquito zones, make sure to wear lightweight long pants, socks and longsleeve shirts. You might sweat a bit,but it beats having your body covered with itchy welts!
- Identify and eliminate places they'll be attracted to, such as empty plant pots, buckets or even in a tire swing, where water collects and provides the perfect breeding place for these insects.
- Try to avoid being outside at dawn, when the sun first comes up, and at dusk,when the sun is setting. This is when mosquitoes like to feed the most,so you don't want to make for an easy appetizer!
- Have an adult light citronella candles during outdoor barbecues.
- Avoid wearing the color blue, which is said by some experts to attract mosquitoes.
- Hold your breath (only kidding - just wanted to see if you were paying attention!)
- Visit the Lanacane Summer Itch Index to see if mosquitoes are a problem where you live.
