Mosquitos

Mosquitos have been bad lately. Never a happy moment when the mosquitos are out, but it does happen. No coincidence they arrive shortly after some heavy rains, and we had our share of rainfall recently.

Mosquitos bites can be prevented by doing the following:

• Keep tires in a dry place. Punch holes in them to make sure water drains out.
• Put plants that are currently in water into soil. Empty flowerpot bases weekly.
• Cover or turn food containers for animals and buckets that hold water upside down.
• Repair or replace damaged screens. Keep windows and doors without screens closed.
• Place a screen or mesh over the overflow pipe of cisterns.
• Cover infant cribs with mosquito netting.
• Use mosquito repellants containing DEET. Follow instructions carefully and use on arms, legs, ankles and nape of neck. Avoid applying to children under 2 years old and to the hands of older children.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors.

Some people also purchase control devices like Mosquito Magnet (http://www.mosquitomagnet.com/), citronella candles, mosquito deleter (http://www.mymosquitodeleter.com/) and more.

My favorite, though, are the electric tennis racket looking devices. A five minute effort of killing mosquitos each morning and night will control further population growths, and give you much more comfort in your home.

What some non-residents don't know if that the local population gets used to the mosquito bites, whereas we do not "swell" up and itch like fresh victims arriving from the States or other locations. Apparently our bodies get used to their bite. It doesn't mean we do not get annoyed by the pesky little insects, but the bites are not nearly as bothersome.