5 Ways To Avoid Bug Bites This Summer
We love summer because of the warm weather and the sight and smell that comes with it, outdoor activities and traveling. However, it is the time that there are lots of bugs and insects buzzing around and people experience bug bites and stings. Insects and bugs such as mosquitoes, flies, and ticks do bring about diseases of which some can be prevented. To make your summer a little bit better, we want to help you avoid bug bites.
5 ways on how to avoid bug bites this summer include:
Use an insect repellent
Using insect repellent protects against several insects such as mosquitos and other bugs. This comes in the form of a spray, lotion or wipes and it should be applied to the ankles, wrists, elbows, forehead, and areas where the skin is thin before going outdoors. Choose a repellant that contains DEET. Use after applying your sunscreen. The DEET concentration will determine how long it will last. However, DEET should be used with caution as it can cause skin irritation
Cover the exposed skin
Although it is hot, you need to wear long pants, socks and long- sleeved shirts for maximum protecting. Tuck the shirt into the pants and the pants into the socks so that you are well protected. Some bugs can bite through the thin fabric so consider wearing clothes that are tightly woven such as the synthetic fibers, so as to keep them bugs out. The clothes should also be loose as possible as this gives you much comfort during the warm weather and a bug will not be able to reach the skin when it bites on the fabric. You may treat your clothes with an insecticide such as permethrin other EPA- registered repellent, but don’t spray it directly on the skin.
Wear light colors
Brightly colored clothes that have big flowers and patterns tend to attract bugs such as bees, mosquitoes, and wasps. Dark colors are also not the best either because they also attract the bugs as they do contrast with the horizon at dusk when the insects are active. Dress down in muted colors, earth tone colors or light colors which are less attractive to them hence preventing bug bites.
Do away with insect habitats
Different insects do have different breeding habitats, so it is important to look for them and destroy them. For bees and wasps, they build nests and hives, especially under the gutter, eaves of the roof or crook of a tree. When you see them, remove them carefully to avoid being bitten. Mosquitoes love stagnant water so cut grass and bushes in your yard. And, don’t let water stand in your home as it will breed mosquitoes.
Use natural solutions.
Make insects stay at bay by the use of natural insect repellents which have no chemicals. Such as Citronella, Tea tree oil, cinnamon leaf oil and vanilla oil mixed with olive oil. You may grow insect repellent plants around your yard such as Lavender, peppermint, basil, lemon balm because the aroma helps mask your smell which attracts bugs. For maximum effect, crush the plant to remove some perfume then rub the leaf and oil on your skin.