Hey Mosquitos…Suck THIS! Bite Prevention & Remedies

Most everything I do is excessive. I don’t just have a pleasant conversation, I throw my arms around, support every statement with a personal story, and talk like I’ve just eaten a handful of speed. I’ve never just had a “job”. I end up living, breathing and owning it. I have trouble buying just one of something. If one’s good, four is probably best. I’ve tried changing this probable mental malfunction,  but  have now pretty much accepted that it’s just how I’m wired.

Apparently the same over the top mind signal that controls my personality also speaks to my body instructing it to perform in overdrive. I’m either too fat or too thin, I’m either full of energy or I’m exhausted. I don’t just have allergies, I get full on asthma. (Okay, Pat, they get it. See how I am?)

So when it comes to mosquitoes, (after circling for two paragraphs, this is where I come in for the final landing), they LOVE me. I swear to GOD they do a fly by to assess the group of people I’m with, then single me out of the crowd.  People used to think I was paranoid until a few years ago when the hubs (Paul) and I went camping. Standing in the woods right next to each other, he wasn’t bothered, but there was a swarm of them around me. When we went to Mexico, had it not been for the huge swollen bites on my legs, and the uncontrollable need to scratch them, it would have been one of my best vacations ever. The hotter it got, the more I’d sweat, and the more they itched. I came home with my legs covered in scabs. Paul had umm… ONE. My body reacts stupidly and extreme (big surprise) to mosquito bites with crazy-making itching and ridiculously massive swelling. Obvs, I avoid mosquitoes like the plague.

My suspicions that I’m a mosquito magnet were confirmed when I did some research and learned some pretty interesting  facts, especially how mosquitoes choose their victims…

Who are Mosquitoes Most Attracted To?

• One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes
• Genetics account for 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito bites
• People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes (people who process cholesterol efficiently have residue left on their skin)
• Mosquitoes target people who produce excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid
• Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive. Large people give off more of this (adults as opposed to small children)
• Mosquitoes sense movement. Exertion, causes you to breathe heavily and they can smell the increased carbon dioxide. Activity triggers your sweat glands which produce lactic acid. You’re a dead man!
• Only females bite (bitches!)

So I need to be stick thin, sit perfectly still, and not breathe or sweat. Right.

Nope. This year I’m going to be prepared. I’m going to pull out all the stops and enjoy my summer evenings not being a prisoner of sticky bug sprays, or legs caked with patches of pink, cracked Calamine lotion.

Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

First off, I’m arming my deck. I love to sit outside and read in the evenings. I learned that mosquitoes hate the smell of certain plants. Out of a long list I found, I’ve picked the ones below (that I can also use for seasoning) to plant in pots scattered all over my deck. (I’ve heard you can also crush their leaves and rub them on your clothes – but not directly on your skin).

DIY Mosquito Traps

I’ve heard of varied success level with these, but I’m going to give them a shot anyway. (click pictures for directions).

Soda Bottle Mosquito Trap

Source: Instructables

Lightbulb and Dishsoap Mosquito Trap

Homemade Mosquito Repellants

I’m trying both of these. If one works, I will be wearing a spray bottle full of it as a fashion accessory this summer.

[note color=”#bfbeba”]

1/4 cup vegetable oil mixed with these essential oils
5 drops eucalyptus
4 drops lavender
2 drops rosemary
2 drops juniper
1 drop peppermint
1 drop cinnamon
1 drop clove

[/note]

[note color=”#bfbeba”]

2 cups witch hazel
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
20 drops citronella essential oil
20 drops lemongrass essential oil

[/note]

If any of those little suckers manage to penetrate my barriers and get to me, I’ve found some homemade concoctions to help take the itch out of those bites.

Easy Homemade Mosquito Bite Anti-Itch Remedies

[note color=”#bfbeba”]

Quick-grabs. Pick your poison below and apply to the bite as soon as possible. (One or all of these will be within arms reach this summer).

1. A dry bar of soap rubbed over it.
2. A dab of nail polish
3. A squirt of toothpaste
4. Scotch tape
5. Hot (as hot as you can stand it) water. (I used to use this little trick to keep from scratching my eczema).
6. A piece of cotton soaked with mouthwash
7. Ice cube or ice pack.
8. Honey
9. Solid or roll-on deodorant
10. Rubbing Alcohol.
11. Ammonia
12. Bleach
13. Hot tea bag, or cotton soaked in hot tea. [/note]

[note color=”#bfbeba”]

Pastes. Apply nice and thick, to the skin ASAP

1. Baking soda and Water
2. Meat Tenderizer and Water
3. Salt and Water
4. Epsom Salt and Water
5. Crushed Aspirin and Water
6. Crushed Tums and Water [/note]

I treasure our time away and hated camping until I discovered it’s actually a free pass to do exactly what I feel like doing guilt-free, so I get a little pissy if anyone or anything interferes with that time. Mosquitoes have turned me into a raging bitch on more than one camping trip. So along with all of the above ammo, I’m going to try these Pinterest ideas to keep the little bastards from screwing with me.

[row][column size=”1/3″]

[/column][column size=”1/3″]

Photo Credit: Garden Therapy

[/column][column size=”1/3″]

[/column][/row]

And there you have it. I honestly am miserable when the mosquitoes are out, and being a huge fan of sun, summer and camping, I will try anything to keep from being bit. I would so appreciate, and will try, any tricks you use and will share. Thank you in advance for passing them on to me!

Have you “Liked” us on Facebook yet? C’mon over and join us! CLICK HERE.