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As the weather warms up and you head outdoors , commemorate , humankind are not the only specie to revel in such balmy days : summertime is also a busy time of year for pesky insect that can sting or burn you , or even carry a disease .
luckily , you’re able to take steps to protect yourself from being bitten up by eager mosquitoes , tick or flies .
Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer fun.
One of import scheme is to avoid those meter when barbed louse are most active , whenever it ’s possible , said Jonathan Day , a prof of aesculapian entomology at the University of Florida / IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach . mosquito are most active right before sunrise and around sundown , he said .
But in the summer , dawn and twilight are also popular clock time for people to take a walk of life or have a barbecue , Day said . In that case , you may tellmosquitoesto buzz off by extend up as much exposed cutis as possible with habiliment , Day advise . Wearbreathable fabricsthat have a tight weave and are comfortable in hot and humid circumstance , he enounce . [ 5 instinctive Ways to Keep Bugs at Bay ]
Even when you ’re wearing protective clothing and obviate peak activity times , however , some areas ofthe skinwill remain exposed to bite insects , such as the neck , forehead , cheeks , wrists and ankle . That ’s where an effective insect repellant come into romp , Day tell Live Science .
Insect repellents are utilitarian against any profligate - feed arthropods , which include mosquitoes , ticking , chiggers and flea , Day tell . Repellents are also partially effective against Hippobosca equina and deerflies , which have an annoying trend to wing around people ’s head , he said .
Insect repellents will not work on any stinging insects , such as bees , hornet and wasps , Day enunciate .
Insect repellant may be trade as atomiser , lotion , sticks , foams and wipes . When you ’re looking for a dependable repellant , Day hint that you should consider the keep an eye on points :
1 . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you use product containing one of three alive ingredients — synthetic chemicals , such as DEET ; picaridin ; or plant - derived chemicals , such as oil of lemon eucalyptus — provide the longest - endure protection . ( The chemical name for DEET may be list on the product recording label as the ingredients N , N - diethyl - meter - toluamide or N , N - diemethylbenzamide . ) Read merchandise labels cautiously , because not everyone should use every product : They may say that oil of lemon eucalyptus tree should not be used on children under age 3 or that products containing DEET should not be used on babe under 2 months of age .
2 . Look for a product that offer at least 60 min of complete auspices with the first software program , Day said . DEET intersection , even those containing the lowest engrossment of DEET ( 5 to 7 per centum ) , provide about 90 minutes of complete trade protection when first put on . Your stage of activity also affects how long the auspices will last . If you are lying in a hammock , you might get that entire hour and a half of complete protection from a low - concentration DEET product . That same product wo n’t last as long if you ’re playing softball , race or charter in some other sweaty body process , he said . [ The 10 safe Hiking Apps ]
3 . Mostrepellents have chemical substance in them that can be irritatingto the skin as well as to areas close to the eyes , ears , nozzle and sass . To keep irritation to a lower limit , Day suggests using a low - tightness DEET product or some other ware . Also , when you ’re apply bug sprayer to your aspect , first put the repellent on your hands , and then use your manpower to put it on your grimace , Day tell .
4 . parent should not allow immature children to employ their own insect repellant , and they should not put foul on young fry ’s hands , because kids might use their hand to rub their centre or nose , or put them in their mouths , Day warned . head off place repellant on areas near kids ' eyes and mouth .
5 . Studies have plant that substitute repellents containing plant - based ingredients , such as citronella , geranium oil or vanilla , may only provide about 20 proceedings of complete security , Day said . People who require to use these products may necessitate to reapply them more often , he recommended , and you should be careful even when you ’re applying these works - based chemicals near your ears , eyes , olfactory organ and mouth , because they also can be irritating to your skin .
6 . You may have to take a slightly different scheme than you take with mosquitoes when you need to prevent tick bite . When Day go to a place with a high density of tick , he wears long sleeves to cover up exposed pelt , puts his trouser legs into his socks and then applies repellent to his boots and socks , he said . " Ticks can get onto shoes and pant legs , then crawl up a person ’s body , " he articulate .
7 . Read the recording label to verify the product protect against the specific insect you want to repulse . Some repellents are not formulated to crop against certain insects .
8 . avert products that combine dirt ball repellent and sunscreen , because mixing these two products on your own subjugate the effectiveness of both of them , Day pronounce . In addition , when you need sunscreen , it ’s usually during those clock time of Clarence Shepard Day Jr. when mosquitoes are not that active , he enounce .
9 . On the other hired hand , the following method are ineffective way to rebuff mosquitoes : ultrasound devices impound to a belt or installed in a 1000 , wristbands contain repellent and citronella candles , Day say . He sound out that repellents ferment by provide a protective layer on the peel or body that insects need to make contact with . Repellent ascertain in a wristband that ’s worn on one arm does a poor job of forestall a person from getting sting on that arm or on skin elsewhere , grant to research from Consumer Reports . Placing a citronella candle on a patio deck , for good example , may only provide shelter in one quadrant of the pack of cards , and mosquito would go around this one area and into the three other quadrants that do n’t contain citronella , Day said .
In add-on , some mass swear that use up certain foods , such as garlic or banana , or taking a dietetical supplement like vitamin B12 , will ward off burn insects , Day said . But there ’s no evidence that any intellectual nourishment or supplement can help prevent insect bites , he aver .
