‘Tis the season for biting insects. This spring was wetter than usual, and that usually means more puddles for insects to breed in and more insects to spoil your enjoyment of the great outdoors!
Important reasons to avoid bug bites
Most insect bites are just a nuisance, but some insects can transmit diseases. Mosquitos in some parts of the world can carry Zika virus, Dengue fever or malaria. Check travel sites for information on the area you plan to visit, especially if an expectant mother: Government of Canada; USA Centers for Disease Control (see Zika Virus Travel Information section).
Lyme disease is carried by common ticks that are generally found in long grassy areas, especially those frequented by deer who carry ticks. Tick bites can be avoided by wearing long sleeved shirts and pants, tucking in shirt-tales and pulling socks up over pants. Light-coloured clothing helps you to see any ticks that have latched onto you. It is also recommended to shower 1 to 2 hours after a nature outing and to check skin carefully for ticks, especially in folds of skin and even your bellybutton where they may be hiding! Brush your pet before he comes indoors too and check carefully to be sure he hasn’t picked up a tick either. Read my previous blog, Tick Talk, for more information about avoiding and treating tick bites. Note that Lyme disease is now being detected in Canada as well as many parts of US.
How to avoid insect bites
Here’s what Dermatologists suggest to avoid insect bites:
Use an insect repellant containing 20-30% DEET. Apply it to clothing and all exposed skin. Reapply as directed on label.
If also using sunscreen, apply it first and let it dry before applying insect repellant. Do not use combination sunscreen/insect repellant: sunscreen should be applied liberally and often and this could result in application of too much insect repellant.
As mentioned above, wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck shirt-tails into pants and pant bottoms into socks, especially if walking in long grass where insects like to hang out. Insects tend to be attracted to darker colours, so wearing light coloured clothing may help.
Have bed nets available to protect you while you sleep. A net can also keep that one elusive mosquito you can’t catch away from you, so it won’t keep you up all night! If the net isn’t long enough to reach the floor, tuck it under the mattress to make sure there are no gaps.
Treating bites
If all the above fails (and it’s quite likely it will on some occasion), here’s what you can do:
If it’s a painful bite (like a bee or wasp), take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed on the label.
Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes. This can help for painful or itchy bites.
Apply Calamine lotion or Hydrocortisone Cream, available at pharmacies.
If you have a lot of bites, try a quick-acting antihistamine, like Reactine or Benadryl. Be sure to follow the directions on the label. Note that Benadryl causes drowsiness.
If you develop a rash, fever or body aches, see your doctor. Tell him/her about the insect bite you received. If bitten by a tick, remove it carefully with tweezers and store it in a ziplock bag or in a fold of clear tape for a couple of weeks. If you feel unwell within a week or two, your doctor may want to test the tick for Lyme disease bacteria.
My other bit of advice is that insects generally don’t like wind, so pick a windy area to relax in or create your own wind with a strong fan. Planting some citronella, marigolds or rosemary plants around your deck can help too, as insects don’t like their smell (even though we do!). Or you can just throw a few sprigs of rosemary on the BBQ coals or bonfire.
And, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, here are a couple of recipes you can try:
Yard Spray
1/3 large bottle of blue mouthwash
1 cup Epsom salts (available at pharmacies as “bath salts”)
1 x 12-oz beer (non-alcoholic should work fine too)
Spray in yard, but not on plants or grass (the salt could harm them).
It can last up to 80 days.
Skin Spray (non-sticky, non-oily)
Put a handful of fresh basil leaves in a glass measuring cup.
Add ½ c water and ½ cup vodka or rubbing alcohol.
Heat to boiling in microwave (about 1 minute).
Let sit, covered, for 2 to 4 hours.
Remove basil, squeezing to remove liquid.
Pour into small spray bottle (often available in cosmetic departments or craft stores).
Spray on skin as necessary.
So, there you go… by special request, from a friend and reader who was asking for help with itchy bug bites! Please note: I haven’t tried these recipes yet, but they were highly rated by their sources and sound so interesting! I’m one of those lucky folks who live in a naturally windy place so have little problem with mosquitos… But please let me know if you try these and how well they work for you!
References:
Jeannie's blog: Tick Talk
