A warm and wet summer, like the one that we are currently having, may not be something that we enjoy, but for insects it can provide the perfect conditions. One of the most maligned summer insects are of course the mosquitos, and although you are not at risk in contracting malaria from mosquitoes in the UK, many people suffer allergic reactions to the itchy bites that appear when they come for your blood!
For the vast majority of people, being bitten by a mosquito in the UK isn’t a danger, but they can be annoying due to how itchy they are, and they can also produce reactions such as swelling of glands or feeling hot if you have a lot of them and are more allergic to the bites.
It is actually only the females that bite, as they are the ones that feed on blood. Male mosquitoes feed on nectar from plants as well as fruit. In the summer, keeping mosquitos at bay is something that many of us want to do, so here are some of the things that could help you…
Cover up – You are most at risk of being bitten when you are outdoors, so covering your skin with loose fitting clothing can prevent them from getting to you. Dawn and dusk are the main times that they are active so take special care at these times of the day.
Repel them – Although there are chemical insect repellents that you can use, these chemicals such as DEET and permethrin can be hazardous to other animals so if you have pets, it is best to steer clear. Using essential oils such as eucalyptus as well as citronella is a good way to ward off mosquitos,
Air Conditioning – Mosquitos coming into the home is annoying, and if you have your windows open on a hot day this is a concern. Using air conditioning helps to keep the home cool without letting any pests in – you can get a professional like this air con Gloucester based company //acecc.co.uk// to install it in your home.
Air conditioning also puts off many flying insects as it creates a cooler and drier environment which they won’t like to be in.
