MOSQUITOES!

Well it’s that time of the year again, our favorite flying friends are out and about just waiting to say hello. Mosquitoes have returned! In fact maybe a few have already dropped by your place, uninvited of course, for a little snack!

This is probably some sort of urban legend, but, I once tried to pop a mosquito by over- feeding it. It didn’t work; I remember watching in total and utter dismay as this Mosquito that had swelled up to the size of a house fly, now barely able to support it’s weight in the air, limbered off my arm and somehow just disappeared in the twilight. He / She was a happy camper, let me tell you!

So, when are they most active and what type of weather do the pesky pests like best? Well, between the hours of 5-9 PM and around daybreak, mosquitoes are out in droves, bothering us, and just being a nuisance. Have you ever fell victim to the road-tripping Mosquito, the one that gets you about ten times in the legs while you’re driving, despite the fact that you have all of the windows down? Those mean business and they’re smart too. Ouch! Basically, if winds are light and there’s a little moisture in the air then look out, because there’s likely a mosquito party in the works.

There are a few steps you can take to combat the singing little lovelies. Mosquito larvae grow up in standing water, so spilling any that’s collected around your house can help alleviate breeding grounds. Also, cleaning out drains and gutters can get rid of semi-permanent damp spots, which too are a favorite home to mosquito younglings. Lastly, insect repellent can do wonders, especially one’s with DEET, but, read the labels carefully; some are harmful for infants and young children.

For a number of years, I’ve used Avon skin-so-soft. Sure, it makes you smell a little like your Aunt Betty, but the stuff works!

Posted by Ted Zarras at 5:30 PM