Can My Shampoo, Lotion, Deodorant or Perfume Attract Mosquitoes?

Does my aroma Attract Mosquitoes?

Did you know that mothers give out a smell that connects them to their children? A newborn prefers the odor of his or her mother over any other woman, and they even experience a calming effect. Odors are incredible and they really do have an unbelievable effect on human interaction and attractions. The companies that create perfumes, lotions, deodorants and other aromas understand the importance of smell. They know that smells are much more than a mere experience for your olfactory sense. There is another side to this, an undesirable side, these certain odors can actually attract mosquitoes.

What Aromas can Attract Mosquitoes?

Sugars are what mosquitoes need in order to produce energy, which is why they are attracted to sweet, sugary, or flowery fragrances. Research shows that mosquitoes do not necessarily see humans first, they most likely smell them first. Avoiding flower-like colors is advisable; wearing dark colors is a good idea. Brown or khaki are colors to consider.

So what aromas attract mosquitoes?

  • Fragrant soaps
  • Perfumes that have a sweet, flowery, or rose-like aroma
  • Fragrant shampoos
  • Fragrant body lotions
  • Colognes
  • Fragrant deodorants

Fragrance is what attracts these insects, so do odorless and you will most likely be a mosquito-free and happy individual.

Why do you Need a Mosquito Repellent?

Did you know that mosquitoes can smell you from 50 meters away? A recent study shows that mosquitoes are attracted to natural aromas, as well as the aforementioned ones. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide. Of course, this is something that we cannot eliminate as it is natural. Experts have shown that larger human beings are the ones who attract these insects more because they are releasing much more carbon dioxide. This fact makes adults and pregnant women at risk. Physical activity will produce sweat, which carries lactic acid. This has a distinct smell which is quite attractive to mosquitoes as well.

Repellents Available to You

  • Deet is one of the effective ways of repelling mosquitoes. It can protect you for about 5 hours.
  • Picaridin is another good repellent which works as well as Deet, but is odorless and has a clean feel on the skin.
  • Avon’s Skin So Soft is another option.
  • Metofluthrin relies on a fan, and does not necessarily have to be placed on the skin. It provides you with an atmosphere that will repel those pesky pests.

Natural Repellents

The aforementioned solutions are based on chemicals, which to some may sound like something they would prefer to avoid. However, mosquitoes are still an issue for those who want natural solutions. Thankfully, there is a solution for those who are unfriendly towards chemicals.

  •  Soybean based oil was shown to protect from mosquitoes for 1.5 hours.
  • Citronella Oil offers a short term relief.
  • Cedar Oil gives you a short term relief.
  • Peppermint Oil is another oil that gives you a short term relief.
  • Lemongrass Oil offers a short term relief.
  • Geranium Oil will give you a short term relief.
  • Eucalyptus Oil has been shown to give you a long term relief from mosquitoes.
  • “Don’t Bite Me” rely on the study that Thiamine or B1 produces an odor that female mosquitoes dislike. It is a very popular repellent among those who prefer lesser chemicals.

If you do not like any of these products, there are mosquito traps as well. They release odors that attract female mosquitoes (yup turning the tables on them) and kills them. There is also a new line of clothing that is infused with a chemical insecticide called permethrin, which allows you to wear your repellent. It seems that there are several options out there to help you against this winged army of blood sucking vermin.

But if you really want to keep mosquitoes away, skip the perfumes and scented lotions while outdoors.

 

Can What I Eat Attract Mosquitoes?

When the summer months start to arrive, people look forward to shorter work schedules, barbecues with their friends and relaxing on the beach with a cold beverage in hand. However, mosquitoes are another part of the warmer months, and people generally do not welcome these bugs with open arms. The question remains then, “Can what I eat attract mosquitoes?”

The Short Answer

Ultimately, yes, the foods that you can consume can have some effect on the presence of mosquitoes in your life. While some studies suggest that eating certain foods might keep away or attract mosquitoes, it does have to do with the foods that you have on your plate as well. When you have mosquito-tempting foods sitting out on a platter on a hot summer’s day, you can be sure that these little bugs are going to find their way over to you and cause some annoying itches.

The Banana Question

If you’ve researched this topic before, you’ve probably heard a little bit about bananas. Some disagreement exists when it comes to this topic. Numerous sources, including Pattaya Unlimited’s article “Eat to Avoid Mosquito Bites,” notes that some studies show that bananas actually keep mosquitoes away while others show that they attract mosquitoes. Instead of getting all wound up in the debate, it might be best to avoid bananas when you are going to be sitting outside for the day. Instead, lather on a few layers of bug repellent to keep yourself safe and itch-free.

Sweet Foods and Mosquitoes

It probably comes as no shock that mosquitoes are attracted to sweet foods. Whenever you bring out dessert, you probably see them hovering around more than during the rest of the day. Just like many humans, these little bugs truly have a sweet tooth. Sometimes, they are also able to sense it on your being if you have just consumed some delicious treats. Therefore, it is important for you to be careful of your sweets intake. If you are going to put desserts and other treats outside, then you should make sure they are covered up to prevent problems from these pesky bugs.

Salty Foods

During the summer months, people are chowing down on corn and enjoying delicious meats that have just come off the grill. In many cases, they add some extra salt to these foods to make them even more satisfying, but doing so could make you a target for these bugs that you are trying to avoid. “Are You Attracting Mosquitoes?” by Darcy Andries notes that “Foods high in salt or potassium can cause our bodies to produce more lactic acid.” Andries goes on to explain that lactic acid can attract mosquitoes, so these salt foods can make them come on by.

Hot Foods

While the connection here is not direct, one still exists. Andries also explains that mosquitoes are attracted to sweaty. Therefore, if you are perspiring, a mosquito, or a few of them, may be headed your way quite soon. Some people are able to eat spicy foods without a problem. However, others, when enjoying jalapeno peppers on their burger or a nice cup of summer chili, will start to sweat. This combination of potentially salty foods and sweat can make you a target for mosquitoes.

Enjoying The Summer

As you can see, quite a number of summer foods might make mosquitoes view you as a tasty treat. However, you do not want to spend the season sitting inside and avoiding all types of food that have salt or sugar in them. Instead, you need to invest in a bug spray that is safe for you to use, and be sure that you use only the recommended amount at a time. Making some smarter food choices is not always a bad idea either. In addition to keeping those pesky bugs away, doing so might also help you with your summer weight-loss goals.

Indeed, it is true that the foods you eat can bring mosquitoes over to your table. Whether the bugs are attracted to you or to foods that are lying out on your plate, you want to take steps to keep these bugs away as they can carry deadly diseases.

 

Can Clothing Choice Attract Mosquitoes?

Although summer is one of the most loved seasons in the year, it is also the season which brings plenty of mosquitoes. So, when you are spending time outdoors, especially in the evenings, have in mind that mosquitoes are likely to be nearby, looking for people to feast on.

Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying insects with their irritating buzzing, but they also transmit many dangerous to humans. Chief among these is plasmodium, which causes malaria, and various viruses that cause different types of encephalitis. It also transmits yellow fever, dengue fever, wuchereria bankrofti, and filariasis. Most of these diseases are very fatal and can lead to death. Thus, it is very important for people to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

Have you ever noticed that when you spend time with your friends outdoor during the summer, mosquitoes seem to be attracted to some of your friends more than others? Thus, mosquitoes do not attack everybody in a crowd equally. While some people in the same place might be spared from the irritating, annoying sound and painful bites of mosquitoes, others might not enjoy similar luxury. So, the question is why do mosquitoes attack some people and spare others in the same place.

Dark-Colored Clothes Attract Mosquitoes

One factor that might be responsible for mosquitoes not attacking everybody equally in a place is the choice of cloth worn by different individuals. People who wear clothing items made from dark colors will be bitten more by mosquitoes than those who wear light-colored clothes. This is because mosquitoes are attracted by dark colors. Mosquitoes are mainly nocturnal insects, and they have an eye system that is designed to see dark objects. Thus, mosquitoes will naturally be attracted to people wearing dark-colored clothes in a crowd, thereby biting them.

Furthermore, dark color helps to trap and conserve carbon dioxide. Research has shown that mosquitoes are attracted to areas with high concentrations of carbon dioxide. Thus, mosquitoes will easily attack people that are close to bonfire or burning candle because of the carbon dioxide emitted by the bonfire or burning candles. By wearing a dark-colored cloth during an outdoor event in a warm summer evening, a person is making himself or herself a prime target of mosquitoes. The dark-colored dress will increase the concentration of carbon dioxide around the individual, making mosquitoes to be attracted to the individual.

Light-Colored Clothes Repel Mosquitoes

While dark-colored clothes attract mosquitoes, light-colored clothes repel mosquitoes. Research has shown that white color repels not only mosquitoes but all kind of insects. The eyes of mosquitoes are structured to function effectively not in daylight but at night. Thus, when two persons wearing light-colored clothing items and dark-colored cloth are in a place, a mosquito will be attracted more to attack the person wearing the dark cloth rather than the one putting on a light-colored dress.

Yellow is a color that is difficult for mosquitoes to see. Since mosquitoes have a hard time seeing yellow color, it is a wise choice to wear yellow-colored dress when going out in a summer evening. Yellow-colored clothing items drastically reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes, making you enjoy your summer evening without the irritating sound and painful bites of mosquitoes.

Light-colored clothing materials also do not store carbon dioxide. Thus, the carbon dioxide content around people wearing light clothing materials will be reduced. Putting on a light-colored dress is not a guarantee that mosquitoes will not bite you. It only reduces your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes when you are outdoors.

 

The Price of Mosquito Problems

Mosquitoes can be a big nuisance, making outdoor time unenjoyable. They swarm your yard and buzz around your body, trying to get to you. Sometimes you don’t even know you are being bit until it’s too late. The next day you wake up with itchy welts all over your body and feel miserable, not to mention, you may have the fear of contracting an illness. Namely, the West Nile virus.

You want to control, or get rid of mosquitoes around your home and yard so that you can enjoy being outdoors without the threat of being bit, or contracting an illness. But do you know what it costs to treat for mosquitoes?

The cost of treating and preventing mosquitoes in your yard:

Standing Water

Because mosquitoes are naturally drawn to water, one of the biggest things you can do is control the water and moisture around your home. If you have standing water collecting in the yard, be sure to get any drainage problems around your house fixed. This will help alleviate mosquitoes collecting and breeding in these areas. The cost of getting rid of standing water can be expensive. It depends on what is needed, but if a company has to come out and excavate your yard, you can pay several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Keep Your Yard Well Manicured

When you let your yard get out of control, you are asking for issues with not only mosquitoes, but other pests, too. Overgrown lawns and bushes are the perfect breeding grounds for insects and pests. You can pay a professional service to manicure your yard, or you can do it yourself. Pricing will vary, depending on the size of your lawn and what you have done. But expect $100+ a month.

Treat Your Yard

Regular professional mosquito control treatment is one of the most effective things you can do to combat mosquitoes. You can hire a company to treat your yard or treat it yourself. Treating your home regularly helps to keep mosquitoes from breeding and multiplying. It is especially important during warmer months when mosquitoes are out more. There are some companies that will charge a small fee of around $49.00 to treat your yard for mosquitoes on a monthly schedule. Self-treatment would be slightly less expensive, but it can be time-consuming.

Use Cluster Plants

Certain types of plants naturally repel mosquitoes. Plants known as cluster plants, such as scented geraniums, marigolds, garlic, lavender, basil and mint can help keep mosquitoes at bay. You can pay a small amount, under $100.00, for a few plants, to well over a hundred, depending on the type of plant you choose and how many you need.

Use a Fan

You can help keep mosquitoes away by using a circulating fan. The fan can be a ceiling fan or stand-up oscillating fan. Either one helps to keep the air moving and circulating to help keep mosquitoes away. Fans can be cheap, for around $20.00 for a standing oscillating fan, or several hundreds for ceiling fans on your porch. You can make it as cheap as you need to, by choosing more, inexpensive fans.

Skin Repellant

When you are outdoors, you should treat your skin with a mosquito repellant. There are multiple types to choose from, from lotions to sprays. Skin repellant will be the cheapest trick. Depending on the type and brand you get, it can be just a couple of dollars per can.

Mosquito Traps

Mosquito traps use a combination of sensory cues, such as light and other lures to attract the mosquito into the trap. Once inside the trap, it cannot leave. Mosquito traps can run from under 100.00 to several hundred or over $1000.00. One mosquito trap is just $10.99. It all depends on what you are looking for.

Tiki Torches

Filling tiki torches with Citronella, which is a nontoxic substance, helps to keep mosquitoes at bay. Tiki torches can run from about $10.00 each to close to $1000.00 per torch for a gas torch. You decide what style you want and you can probably find them for close to your price range.

Preventing mosquito bites is not always entirely possible, but you can significantly reduce mosquito bites by treating your yard and your skin with the right combination of mosquito repellants. The more proactive you are, the better your chances of keeping mosquitoes at bay.

 

The Future of Mosquito Control

Mosquitoes and their reputation as a pesky enemy pack a bigger punch than just itchy annoyance. This minute insect is the deadliest creature on the planet. There are three thousand mosquito species, but only two hundred find sucking blood a necessity. Only the adult females bite when they are ready to lay larvae. Some of the most prominent diseases carried by mosquitoes are malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, West Nile virus and other forms of encephalitis. UNICEF estimates that malaria kills a child somewhere in the world every minute and is one of the biggest causes of child mortality. As a disease-transmitting culprit for both man and animal, mosquito control tops the list of imperatives for the future.

Latest Attack Strategies

While eradicating the mosquito might seem like the best thing for the health of the world’s population, it would be virtually impossible to accomplish. Therefore, source reduction and biological elements direct the future of mosquito control. One technique that will continue to provide relief is biological control, or the practice of introducing natural predatory species to eat larval-stage mosquitoes before they hatch. Rivers and lakes filled with mosquito-eating fish, carps and minnows curb the mosquito population but don’t conquer it.

More aggressively, scientists continue to work on a malaria vaccine. With infected mosquitoes causing more than a half million deaths a year, a successful vaccine could distinctly downgrade the threat to humans. But the disease is complex. Current vaccines fight bacterial infections, but triggering the body’s immune system to fight parasites is difficult. Hence, scientists acknowledge it could be decades before the genomes of the mosquito and the malaria parasite can be mapped and an experimental vaccine tested on humans.

Insecticides in the form of DDT and other chemicals have been successful at decreasing the public health risk. But tears of insecticide use have also introduced another complication: insecticide resistant mosquitoes. The BBC reports researchers have linked a family of genes that alerts them to the presence of insecticide resistance. This allows mosquito infested areas to be tested. The tests are expensive, though, necessitating a focus on developing a rapid test. This will allow targeted insecticides to be formulated that skirt the resistance issue and enables cost effective mosquito control management.

Most interesting, work continues to refine and test a sterile insect technique. This is a population control method that genetically alters the male mosquito. Simply speaking, altered males are released into the population and trick the fertile female mosquitoes into breeding. This introduces an engineered genetic sterilization into the offspring and prevents any mosquitoes hatched from becoming adults. Other techniques involve genetically modifying the mosquito to require certain chemicals that aren’t present in the ecosystem so that offspring can’t develop without it. Researchers predict both procedures have the capability to drastically reduce the mosquito population and stop the spread of associated diseases.

Tried and True

New strategies aside, the technology of mosquito control remains a matter of manually gathering mosquito evidence, chemical management and public education. Until other procedures can make inroads to eliminate the mosquito threat, these techniques will continue to form the backbone of an integrated mosquito control program. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a hearty, integrated management of surveillance, reduction, outreach and education, and use of every method at our disposal to control mosquito activity.

Mosquito Control Responsibilities

Even with new developments, the old tips to help keep mosquitoes away will never change:

  1. Mosquitoes breed in water. Empty standing water anywhere around your home.
  2. Stagnant water sources attract mosquitoes. Maintain pools, yard ponds and bird baths.
  3. Be responsible for your personal health and your animals. Use repellants to control bites. Administer approved veterinary medication to protect your animals. Stay indoors during evening and early morning hours when mosquitoes are the most active or cover exposed skin.
  4. Finally, support your city’s mosquito control efforts by staying informed about your community’s mosquito issues.

 

History of Mosquito Control

The Early Days of Mosquito Control

Evidence shows that mosquitoes have been around for millions of years. Mosquitoes not only interfere with an evening cookout, they are known to transmit disease and, as a result, have been the target of intense control targeting for many, many years. The mosquito may be small, but it’s credited with changing the course of human history.

Native America
Native Americans used plants to control mosquitoes. Depending upon the region, indigenous people used rosemary, lemon grass (citronella) marigolds and catnip plants to repel mosquitoes. The plants secrete natural oils that keep the mosquitoes away.

The Panama Canal Catastrophe
In the latter part of the 19th Century, the French government abandoned construction of the Panama Canal because of the high mortality rate of its canal workers that were exposed to mosquito-borne diseases. By first taking measures to control the mosquitoes, the United States was able to take over the project and complete the excavation of the Panama Canal in just a few years.

Mosquitoes are much more than a simple nuisance. They have always been highly influential with respect to human mortality across time, and across the world. Each year about one million people on earth die from mosquito-related illnesses, and some scientists believe them to be the most dangerous living creatures on earth.

 

Government Efforts

Early U.S. developments
In 1867, a farmer discovered that kerosene kills mosquitoes in the water troughs. Kerosene was becoming widely used in the United States, and in 1892 the United states Department of Agriculture approved Kerosene as a mosquito control.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was determined that there was a causal relationship between mosquitoes and such diseases as Dengue Fever, Malaria, Yellow Fever, West Nile Virus and Dog Heartworm. At the same time, the USDA and the US Army were conducting experiments using powders and sprays to control such deadly vectors, including the mosquito.

In the 1920s, Paris Green, an oil-based pesticide with copper acetoarsenite was used to control mosquito larvae in the swamps and bayous of the southern United States. It is most commonly used for larval control.

The Swiss Break-Through
In 1939 Switzerland, a scientist developed a new pesticide, Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the government and military began using dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in the late 1940 and by the end of the 1950s, it was widely used by the military to control mosquitoes, which, in turn helped reduce malaria.

By the end of the 1950s and early 1960s, state and local governments began spraying DDT in an effort to control mosquito breeding throughout the United States. Various pesticides with DDT became available to the civilian population and was widely used by farmers.

Less Toxic Ways to Reduce the Buzz of Mosquitoes

In the 1960s, it was determined that DDT was causing illness up through the food chain and that DDT was affecting the livers of many species including humans. In 1972, USDA acknowledged that DDT was a carcinogen and was no longer used in the United States. However DDT is still used to control mosquitoes in Africa under the careful watch of The World Health Organization.

Stay OFF of me!!!
During and after World War II, as a result of research completed by USDA and the Army, repellants were developed. In the 1960s, mosquito repellants such as OFF began to find their way to the public’s store shelves. The goal of repellants is not to kill the mosquitoes, but rather repel the insects from the area. Citronella candles also became a popular method of repelling mosquitoes from evening poolside parties. Though introduced early in the 1900s, bug zappers and traps became popular in the 1970s. Some restaurants and outdoor eateries find the use of light traps to be non-toxic, affordable and effective when combined with other efforts to control mosquitoes.

 

Don’t Build it and the Mosquitoes Will Not Come

Modern Day Mosquito Control
In 1999, West Nile Virus was seen in upstate New York and has worked its way across the United States ever since. As a result, the CDC has taken efforts to work with local governments to educate the public on methods for reducing the number of mosquitoes the area.

One method is to remove water sources that provide a habitat for mosquito larvae. Buckets, old tires, gutters full of debris, drainage ditches, tarps, kids pools are some of the many places were water can collect. Unmaintained pools, birdbaths, fountains and backyard fishponds are common places were mosquitoes breed.

Local governments, the cooperative extension and or health departments offer education on how to get rid of mosquitoes, and some offer free minnows for fountains and backyard fish ponds to eliminate mosquito larvae.

Efforts Continue
Governments and health organizations around the world realize the importance of reducing the mosquito population in an effort to reduce Malaria, West Nile Virus, Equine West Nile Virus among other diseases.

 

Do Mosquito Zappers Really Work?

Most people are familiar with mosquito-zappers. The glow of the lights, the satisfying “snap” when an unsuspecting insect meets the business-end of one of these devices. Mosquito-Zappers, also known as bug zappers or, more formally, as electrical discharge insect control systems, have been around for quite some time. Are they effective though? Do they actually work to control mosquito populations and prevent these pests from harassing those who enjoy being outdoors? Do mosquito-zappers really work?

 

How Mosquito-Zappers Are Supposed to Work

Standard mosquito-zappers consist of a light source to act as an attractant inside an electrical grid. The light attracts insects and the electrical grid electrocutes, or “zaps,” them when they come into contact with it on their way to the light source. There may be slight design variations like trays to catch the dead insects but, for the most part, mosquito-zappers are all based on the same principle of light source and electrical grid. Mosquito-zappers do kill insects, but do they kill the right insects?

 

Why Mosquito-Zappers Don’t Generally Work

Mosquito-Zappers are excellent for killing insects attracted to light. Unfortunately, mosquitoes and most other biting insects are not attracted to light. Furthermore, the vast majority of insects that are attracted to light are harmless or even beneficial insects. Not only does this not accomplish the task at hand — eliminating mosquitoes — it has the negative effect of killing harmless and even beneficial insects. Some scientists worry that may be enough to disrupt local ecosystems given the number of these units that have been sold.

 

What Mosquitoes Are Attracted To

As previously mentioned, mosquitoes are not attracted to mosquito-zapper light sources. What, then, are mosquitoes attracted to? The answer is that there are a number of human attributes that collectively attract mosquitoes. They include body heat, CO2, sweat, octenol and a number of other compounds that may be on our skin or in our breath. Much research has been done to pinpoint a smoking gun that universally attracts mosquitoes. What researchers have found, though, is that different species of mosquitoes are attracted by different combinations of the aforementioned attributes making it difficult to develop a universal attractant.

 

Specialty Mosquito-Zappers

Specialty mosquito-zappers that utilize CO2, octenal, vacuums or some combination of those are available to consumers and may be more effective. These units can be very expensive to purchase, upwards of $700 for some models, and relatively costly to operate. Users of these products have shared mixed reviews. Some are happy with their units while others report little or no success with them. These specialty mosquito-zappers are rather expensive and it would appear that success may depend on which species of mosquitoes you’re dealing with, geographic locations and possibly other factors.

Mosquito-Zappers as a Health Hazard

In addition to being an ineffective method of mosquito control, research also indicates that mosquito-zappers my pose health risks. According to researchers, mosquito-zappers can contaminate the air around themselves with zapped insect particles to a radius of about 7 feet. This means that any viruses or bacteria the zapped insects were carrying would be readily available for inhalation or contact with food or skin. Owners need to be aware of this fact and plan for appropriate placement of these devices if they decide to use them.

Although mosquito-zappers have been around for quite some time they are not regarded by experts as efficient mosquito control devices. In fact, they are thought to do more harm than good and have been proven to pose a potential health hazard. While mosquito-zappers are capable of killing insects in large numbers, they kill the wrong insects. Their method of attraction just isn’t effective on mosquitoes, and those looking to control mosquitoes might be well-served to explore alternatives to the mosquito-zapper.

Start with these handy tips for controlling mosquitoes on your own, or consider professional mosquito control service from a reputable pest control specialist.

 

The World’s Latest Mosquito Control Efforts

Malaria cases are on a downward trend worldwide, largely due to efforts in recent years by the World Health Organization to persuade other organizations and individual nations to devote more resources to fighting mosquitoes. The number of malaria cases remains high, however, with WHO reporting 23.8 million cases in 2011.

Of those cases, 20.2 million were in Africa and about 2.2 million in Southeast Asia, and the remainder in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Americas and the Western Pacific, in that order. Malaria accounts for 5.2 percent of deaths in low-income countries and are less likely to be a problem in middle-income and high-income nations.

 

How Mosquitoes Kill

Infected mosquitoes carry a parasite known as Plasmodim. When a human is bitten by a mosquito, the parasites begin to multiply in the liver and then spread to the bloodstream.

Prevention Against Mosquito Bites

Two of the major weapons in fighting malaria-carrying mosquitoes are indoor spraying and sleeping in nets treated with insecticides. One of the primary problems in fighting mosquitoes is the insects become immune to insecticides.

“If left unchecked, insecticide resistance could lead to a substantial increase in malaria incidence and mortality,” according to WHO. “The global malaria community needs to take urgent action to prevent insecticide resistance from emerging at new sites, and to maintain the effectiveness of existing vector control interventions.”

Testing and monitoring the effectiveness of insecticides is ongoing throughout the world, with scientists working to modify insecticides to combat mutations in the Plasmodim parasite.

 

Medical Treatment

Scientists have discovered that wormwood plants contain artemisinin. When injected into a human, the artemisinin goes to work against Plasmodim, reducing the amount of parasites in the bloodstream. Several other drugs, called ACTs, are used to eliminate the parasites after being weakened by artemisinin. Unfortunately, the parasites are developing an immunity to current methods of treatment.

“Resistance has occurred as a consequence of several factors, including poor treatment practices, inadequate patient adherence to prescribed antimalarial regimens, and the widespread availability of oral artemisinin-based monotherapies and substandard forms of the drug,” according to a WHO report.

Migration is making the problem worse, officials said.

“If resistance were to spread to – or emerge in – India or sub-Saharan Africa,” WHO officials said, “the public health consequences could be dire, as no alternative antimalarial medicine is available at present with the same level of efficacy and tolerability as ACTs. There is therefore a limited window of opportunity to avert a regional public health disaster, which could have severe global consequences.”

Mosquitoes and Malaria in the United States

About 1,500 Americans contract malaria overseas and return to the United States with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC advises physicians on how to treat malaria and sponsors education campaigns to help Americans avoid contracting the disease when they are visiting other countries.

To prevent more malaria cases from reaching the United States, the CDC helps global malaria-prevention programs. Efforts include scientific research, helping provide preventative treatment to pregnant women in low-income nations, helping finance indoor spraying, funding and encouraging others to contribute money to efforts to supply insecticide-treated nets, and helping develop rapid diagnosis programs to enable early treatment.

“CDC implements the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative jointly with the U.S. Agency for International Development,” according to the CDC. “PMI and its global partners have massively scaled up effective malaria interventions, and PMI’s goal of halving the malaria burden in 70 percent of at-risk populations in sub-Saharan Africa by 2014 has been achieved in one of its 19 target countries and is very close in several others. PMI also monitors antimalarial drug resistance in the Greater Mekong subregion of Southeast Asia and works to prevent and control the spread of multidrug-resistant malaria so that successes achieved in global malaria efforts are not reversed.”

 

Success Breeds Complacency

As malaria cases go down, both private and public funds begin to dry up, the USAID reported.

“Success turns the volume down on the alarm bells that drive the investments that produced that success in the first place,” according to a USAID statement, “and when that happens, only failure raises the alarm again.”

 

Mosquito Control Urban Myths

Several myths about mosquito repellents are out there on the internet, in conversation, even around the neighborhood, and sometimes on your neighbors themselves! How do you know which are myths and which are proven mosquito repellents?

Here’s our assessment of which methods offer effective mosquito protection, and which ones you can skip.

Herbs/Vitamins

1. Garlic:

Warding off the vampires, are we? While this herb may be able to safe guard you against fictional characters, in reality, the only thing you will be driving away by ingesting it is everyone around you. Garlic has been known to block the olfactory sense of mosquitoes, but the amount you’d have to eat for it to work longer than a few minutes would leave you with a new unpleasant body odor.

Reality Check: It’s just not that effective. Stick with a DEET-based bug repellent.

2. Vitamin B:

Scientists have conducted several different studies on the effect this vitamin could have in repelling mosquitoes, however, no scientific facts promote it’s usage. In placebo experiments, where a number of participants received vitamin B tablets and others received the placebo, no differences were recorded to suggest that there is any effectiveness in this myth.

Reality Check: Take a B Vitamin if you need energy, but don’t expect it to keep the mosquitoes away.

3. Bananas:

Testing on this particular suggestion came back with a variety of results. Some at home studies have shown that bananas actually attract more mosquitoes while others did not experience an increase or decrease of bites or mosquito activity near them. Scientific tests have proven a range of results as well. Some conclude that more mosquitoes were attracted when a banana is first ingested and hours later that there is little activity or fewer mosquito bites occurred.

Reality Check: Eh, try it and find out for yourself. It won’t hurt … unless you get bitten. In which case, try these tips on how to treat mosquito bites.

 

Recreational

4. Mobile Apps/Sound Frequency:

Research has sought to find a frequency that would repel mosquitoes, however, all tests prove ineffective. None have returned results that evidently decrease mosquito bites. In fact, female mosquitoes cannot hear very well, which is an important point given that females are the only mosquitoes that bite humans. Additionally, they are more attracted to factors such as moisture, body odor, warmer temperatures and carbon dioxide.

Reality Check: Science points to a definite “no” on this one.

5. Alcohol:

It has been duly noted that drinking beer may in fact attract more of these pests your way. Consuming alcohol causes a change in body temperature which may potentially make you a tasty treat for mosquitoes on the hunt. Also, given that most people sweat more when consuming alcohol, the extra moisture can also be inviting.

Reality Check: This one is actually true. Studies have proven that mosquitoes are attracted to you outdoor beer swiggers after all. So hop back on the wagon if you want to avoid these brew-thirsty ‘skeeters.

 

Cleaning Products/Hygiene

6. Dryer Sheets/Fabric Softener:

At home usage has shown results that generic dryer sheets may have some effectiveness as a home remedy in repelling these blood suckers by either wearing the sheet attached to your clothing or wiping exposed areas before going outside. It has been suggested that there is an ingredient that makes humans less attractive as prey, however, there is not any scientific evidence to support this claim.

Reality Check: Like the bananas, you can take this one for a spin. The worse that could happen: you’ll smell Downy fresh all day.

7. Lemon Joy/Lemon Dish Soaps:

This has been a big hit on the Internet. Many claims suggest putting a few drops of a lemon scented soap in water to ward off these bugs. In reality, it hasn’t shown any effectiveness unless the bugs hop into the bowl and smother themselves with soapy particles. And science has yet to conclude that lemon is a mosquito killer. There is not any evidence to support that mosquitoes will flock to any of these products because of their scent.

Reality Check: We suggest saving the dish soap for the, well, dishes.

8. Mouthwash:

This is another chart-topper claim online. Mouthwash does have small traces of eucalyptol, a natural mosquito deterrent, although the content in the product is so minimal it wouldn’t be effective for very long. Most eucalyptus-based repellents contain high concentrations – at around 75 percent. The content in mouthwash is usually below 1 percent.

Reality Check: We’re not buying this one, either.

 

The Real Tips:

> Drain any standing water around your home every 4-5 days
Mosquito eggs mature to adults in about 5-14 days and love to breed in standing water. Check for pots, pans, trash can lids or anything else that might collect water.

> Wear loose-fitting clothing
Some suggest that lighter color clothing that doesn’t fit too snugly is appropriate and effective in keeping mosquitoes from feasting on humans.

> Use DEET repellent
DEET has been proven to block receptors that allow the bugs to detect and prey on humans.

While keeping mosquitoes a bay is the project at hand, make sure you know the facts before investing.

 

Indoor Mosquito Control

Most cities with chronic mosquito problems have a plan in place to treat the difficulties this pest can cause before they get out of hand. Many will spray with special treatments or take other measures to keep mosquitoes under control. Sometimes the trouble isn’t always outdoors. Often, the problem with mosquitoes is indoors. There are several steps homeowners can take for indoor mosquito control.

  • Prevention
  • Treatment
  • Maintenance

Prevention

One on of the easiest ways to control mosquitoes indoors is to maintain the outside of the home. Keeping the outside of the home free of mosquito breeding areas is necessary. Following these easy steps will help eliminate the number of mosquito breeding areas around a home.

  • Empty buckets daily.
  • Empty children’s small swimming pools daily.
  • Place tarps over large swimming pools.
  • Do not allow water to collect on tarps.
  • Turn wheelbarrows upside down.
  • Clean rain gutters often. Cluttered and full rain gutters are a great place for mosquitoes to breed.
  • Place tarps over large boats. Turn small boats upside down.
  • Keep yard clear of brush and large bushes, since mosquitoes hide in shaded areas during the hot day.
  • Eliminate anything from the yard which allows for standing water.

These changes can largely decrease the number of mosquitoes around a house. There are also a few common sense things which can help keep mosquitoes from ever entering a home.

  • Keep doors to the outside closed.
  • Install screen doors to allow outside airflow.
  • Turn off unnecessary outside lighting.
  • Avoid opening windows without screens.

Treatment

Even with the best prevention methods, mosquitoes will still enter a home. Knowing how to properly treat a home is the next step. Several companies and stores offer different varieties of in home mosquito treatment. Citronella candles are some of the most inexpensive ways to temporarily control mosquitoes. They keep mosquitoes at bay for several feet around the candle but are not for whole home use. Citronella candles are most commonly used outdoors but can be used inside or on patios, screened porches or common areas.

Another option for indoor mosquito control is what is commonly referred to as a bug zapper or bug trap. Some versions resemble an electrified fly swatter. They are battery powered and kill bugs instantly as they hit the net area. Other zappers are lantern shaped and can be placed on walls or hung from ceilings. These zappers attract the mosquitoes, and they die on contact. The lantern shaped zappers are convenient and easy to clean. Most can be used indoors or outdoors.

If taking treatment outdoors, check out pest control companies that have specialized methods to treat mosquitoes. Some companies offer a misting system which involves setting up sprayers around the perimeter of the home. Three or four times a day the system releases a solution for about 45 minutes that keeps mosquitoes away. There is also the option of the mosquito fogger. The fog works similar to the mist but is denser and works best around heavy vegetation and trees. Homeowners can also choose to use mosquito granules. The dry granules are sprinkled around the yard and repel mosquitoes for up to 3 weeks.

 

Maintenance

Maintaining the small updates to prevent mosquitoes is simple. Once the homeowner gets in the habit of dumping unused water and leaving open containers upside down, mosquitoes will stop breeding. This will cause an immediate decrease in the number of mosquitoes multiplying around the home. Cutting back bushes and brush will be a bit more time consuming, but the payoffs are worth it. Limiting the amount of traffic in and out can cut down on unwanted pests. Leaving doors open longer than necessary invites in plenty of mosquitoes.

Indoor mosquito control isn’t limited to the inside of the home. Mosquitoes come from the outside, so it’s best to start there. Treating the outside of the home first can greatly reduce the amount of mosquitoes entering the home. The fewer mosquitoes in a home, the easier they are to control.