Mosquito season is here! Getting on the water can be a great way to avoid mosquitos, but remember - mosquitoes can fly at 1 to 1.5 miles per hour and have flight ranges of 1-3 miles depending on the species. For those of us who are prone to getting bitten, even boating may not be a way to completely avoid these pests! Here are some tips to help manage mosquitos all summer long:
Clothing: Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, socks, and tuck your shirt into your pants and pants into your socks. Mosquitoes can't bite through loose clothing, but they can if it's tight against your skin. You can also treat your clothing with permethrin, an insecticide that kills insects when they land on the fabric.
Repellent: Use an EPA-registered insect repellent on your skin and clothing. DEET is an effective ingredient in many insect repellents that blocks a mosquito's CO2 receptors, but you should apply it properly and not spray it on like perfume. Some say that Avon Skin So Soft Bath Oil and Victoria Secret Bombshell perfume can also repel mosquitoes for up to two hours. Some people swear by homemade repellents in clean, plain spray bottles such as:
Cinnamon Repellent
2 tsp ground cinnamon
Half a teaspoon of dish soap
Half a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol
4 cups warm water
Citronella and Lemongrass Repellent
10 drops citronella essential oil
10 drops of lemongrass essential oil
8 tablespoons of water
8 tablespoons of witch hazel
Geranium Repellent
10 drops of pure rose geranium essential oil
1½ cups of water
Environment: Control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors. Make sure window and door screens are in good working order, and completely cover baby carriers and beds with netting. You can also replace outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights, which attract fewer mosquitoes. When outdoors, protect yourself at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Fill in or drain low spots in your yard where water collects, and check for leaks or puddles around outdoor faucets and air conditioner units. On your boat, repair any Isinglass panels, hatch screens, cracks or vents where mosquitoes could enter.
Other: Avoid getting sweaty, as mosquitoes are attracted to substances our bodies release when we sweat, especially lactic acid. You should also avoid using perfumes, colognes, and scented lotions, as mosquitoes are attracted to these fragrances too. Other factors that can contribute to mosquito bites include:
Blood Type: Some mosquitoes are more attracted to certain blood types. For example, the Asian tiger mosquito prefers Type O blood.
Carbon Dioxide: Mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide, which we exhale. People who exhale more, such as larger individuals or those who are more active, tend to attract more mosquitoes.
Body Heat and Sweat: Mosquitoes are attracted to body heat and the compounds found in sweat, such as lactic acid and ammonia.
Skin Bacteria: The bacteria on your skin can also play a role. People with a higher concentration of certain skin bacteria may be more attractive to mosquitoes.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women tend to attract more mosquitoes, possibly due to increased body heat and carbon dioxide output.
Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol can increase your attractiveness to mosquitoes.
Clothing Color: Dark-colored clothing can make you more visible to mosquitoes.
So, if you feel like mosquitoes are always targeting you, it might be due to one or more of these factors! Hopefully these tips can help you stay mosquito free on and off the water!
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