Enoch, Utah
You don’t want mosquitoes to crash your party!
Summertime often means barbecue time. But, even when you are trying to enjoy a cookout with family and friends, the constant swarm of mosquitoes can be a real nuisance. You may ask yourself “why are these insects attacking me?” As you swat madly at these pests, you may notice that others are completely unfazed by the swarm of mosquitoes. Why is this? Mosquitoes prefer to bite some people over others. Experts say that 1 out of 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes. However, it isn’t a meal they are sucking out of you. Female mosquitoes – not male – need human blood to develop fertile eggs.
Who do mosquitoes like best?
Researchers are finding that mosquitoes are attracted to people with certain genes. Genes effect the amounts of cholesterol or steroids on your skin which can cause mosquitoes to swarm closer. Additionally, mosquitoes also target people who produce excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid which can be found in sweat. These smells can trigger the mosquito’s senses, which entices them to land on your skin. However, the attraction begins only near the skin. Mosquitoes can smell you up to 165 feet away, and if you are breathing heavily (omitting large quantities of carbon dioxide) they will smell you even more.
How to keep them away?
There are many insect repellents at stores, but they are not all created equally. The majority of repellents derive their effectiveness from chemicals. DEET continues to be the chemical of choice in most insect repellents and researchers can proven that it is the most effective chemical repellent on the market. Repellents with about 24% DEET will protect you for about 5 hours. But is it safe to cover yourself in DEET? Researchers say it is pretty safe. There have only been a few hospitalizations in the past 40 years and it is mainly due to gross overuse. If you are looking for alternatives to chemical-based repellents, researchers recommend using citronella, cedar, peppermint, lemongrass, and geranium oils. They don’t provide as long of protection, but they will still do the trick for short times.
How risky are mosquito bites?
A mosquito bite can mean much more than a few days of itching and swelling. For some people, they can cause severe allergic reactions. Additionally, mosquitoes can transmit illness. Diseases such as West Nile Virus, Zika, and Malaria are spread by mosquitoes. Malaria kills around 1 million people worldwide. In places like St. George, Cedar City, and Enoch, you don’t have to worry about Malaria as much, but mosquitoes can still harm you and your family. It is better to be safe than sorry. If you are going to be spending large amounts of time, be sure to use a repellent that you feel comfortable with.
What more can I do?
If you are planning a summer barbecue or wanting to spend time outside and you don’t want to cover yourself in repellent, give us a call. We have experts at Bybee Pest Control who will come to your home and spray the area for mosquitoes. It will help you control the swarms and keep you and your family safe this summer. We service Northern and Southern Utah, including Saint George, Cedar City, Washington, Dammeron Valley, Diamond Valley, Parowan, Hurricane, La Verkin, Toquerville, Enoch, Santa Clara, Ivins, and Salt Lake City. Give us a call today!
