Summer is here, and with it come all the joys of outdoor fun and relaxation. But along with the longer days and warmer weather also comes some pesky critters looking for a meal – like mosquitos and bees! Read Pest Control Cranbourne on to learn five tips you can use to keep yourself bug-bite and sting free so you can enjoy this summer without any unnecessary interruptions!
Introduction to Summer Bug Bites and Stings
Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, but it’s also the prime season for bug bites and stings. No one wants to spend their summer dealing with itchy, painful welts, so it’s important to take precautions to avoid getting bitten or stung in the first place.
There are a few simple things you can do to reduce your risk of becoming a target for bugs:
Wear light-colored clothing – insects are attracted to dark colors like black and navy. Stick to lighter shades like white, tan, and khaki.
Cover up – long sleeves and pants will protect your skin from exposure. If it’s too hot to wear long clothes, consider treating your clothing with an insect repellent like permethrin.
Be aware of your surroundings – avoid areas that are likely to have high insect activity, such as standing water, tall grasses, and bushes. When you’re out hiking or camping, stay on well-traveled trails and avoid touching vegetation.
If you do find yourself with a bug bite or sting, there are a few things you can do to ease the discomfort:
Tips for Avoiding Bug Bites and Stings
1. As much as possible, try to avoid being outside during peak mosquito hours, which are dawn and dusk. If you must be outside during these times, cover up as much skin as possible with clothing, including long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
2. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone are effective against mosquitoes.
3. Reduce the number of places mosquitoes can breed by emptying standing water around your home, such as in buckets, flowerpots, gutters, pet water dishes, and birdbaths on a weekly basis.
4. Keep windows and doors closed or screened to prevent mosquitoes from coming inside your home.
5. If you’re camping or spending time outdoors in areas where there may be ticks, do a daily tick check of your body for attached ticks and remove them promptly if found. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses.
6. Wear light-colored clothing when outdoors so that ticks are easier to spot against your skin and clothes. Consider tucking your pant legs into your socks so that ticks cannot crawl up the inside of your pants legs.
- Wear Insect Repellent
Insect repellent is one of the best ways to prevent bug bites and stings. There are many different brands and types of insect repellent, so it’s important to choose the right one for you. DEET is the most effective ingredient in insect repellents, but it can be toxic if used in large amounts. Picaridin is another effective ingredient that is less toxic than DEET. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a natural alternative to chemical insect repellents, but it is not as effective as DEET or picaridin. When using any type of insect repellent, be sure to follow the directions on the label.
- Dress in Lighter Clothes
One easy way to protect yourself from bug bites and stings is to dress in lighter clothing. Wearing long sleeves and pants made of light-weight materials can help keep bugs away from your skin. If you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time, consider wearing light-colored clothing as well. Bugs are attracted to dark colors, so wearing light colors will make it harder for them to find you.
- Avoid Perfume and Colognes
The warmer months are finally here, and that means picnics, outdoor concerts, and beach days galore! However, along with all the fun in the sun comes the inevitable onslaught of bugs. No one wants to be dealing with itchy bites and painful stings all summer long, so we’ve put together a list of tips to help you avoid them.
One of the most important things you can do to avoid being bitten or stung is to ditch the perfume or cologne. Sweet-smelling scents are like a beacon for bugs, attracting them from far and wide. If you must wear fragrance, opt for something light and citrusy instead.
- Eliminate Sources of Attraction
When it comes to bugs, the best offense is a good defense. By taking some simple precautions, you can make your home and yard less attractive to pests and help keep yourself bite- and sting-free all summer long.
Here are some tips to get you started:
-Keep food covered and clean up spills immediately.
-Store garbage in closed containers and dispose of it regularly.
-Fix any leaks or standing water around your home, including in pet bowls and flower pots.
-Trim back vegetation from the perimeter of your house.
-Use screens on doors and windows, and repair any holes or tears.
-Use air conditioning or fans instead of leaving doors and windows open.
Keep Your Home Clean and Dry
Summertime is a great time to be outdoors enjoying the warm weather. However, it's also the time of year when bugs are most active. To keep yourself bug-bite and sting-free this summer, follow these tips:
1. Keep your home clean and dry. Bugs are attracted to clutter and moisture. Keep your floors clean and dry, and vacuum regularly to reduce the amount of dust, dirt, and crumbs that bugs can feast on.
2. Eliminate standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. If you have any containers or areas of your yard that hold water, empty them out weekly to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
3. Seal up cracks and openings. Insects can squeeze through tiny cracks and openings around your doors and windows. Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal up any gaps so bugs can't get inside your home.
4. Keep food covered or stored away. When food is left out in the open, it's an invitation for pests like ants, flies, and cockroaches to come for a visit. Store food in airtight containers or in the fridge to keep it inaccessible to insects.
5. Use insect repellent when necessary. When you know you'll be spending time outdoors in an area where bugs are present, apply an insect repellent containing DEET or another active ingredient approved by the EPA . Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully,
Home Remedies for Treating Bug Bites and Stings
There are a number of different home remedies that can be used to treat bug bites and stings. Some of the most common include using ice to reduce swelling, using a mixture of baking soda and water to relieve itchiness, and applying a paste made from honey and cinnamon to help heal the wound.
If you have been bitten or stung by a bug, it is important to first identify the type of bug so that you can determine the best course of treatment. If you are not sure what kind of bug bit you, consult with your doctor or a local pharmacist. Once you have identified the type of bug, follow the instructions below for home treatment.
If you have been bitten by a mosquito:
Apply ice to the area to reduce swelling.
Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of water and apply to the bite. Leave on for 15 minutes then wash off with warm water.
Repeat as necessary until the itchiness subsides.
If you have been bitten by a spider:
Apply an ice pack to the area to reduce swelling.
Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and apply to the bite. Leave on for 30 minutes then wash off with warm water. Repeat as necessary until the wound heals.
Conclusion
Keeping bugs and stings at bay is essential for a great summer season, and with these five tips you can make sure that your time outside is enjoyable and free from discomfort. Stay mindful of potential insect bites by wearing appropriate clothing, using repellents when necessary, being aware of the habitats of pesky insects, avoiding fragrances, and keeping yourself covered up in vulnerable areas. With these steps taken care of you can enjoy every moment this summer without worrying about bug bites or stings!
