Thaw before reheating.
{ 2006 07 13 }
Thirty minutes of yard work yesterday afternoon = 15 mosquito bites on my ankles and feet.
I’m contemplating a propane-powered mosquito repellent. Then, today, I read about this on the NOLA forums. I’m having a hard time tracking down where to buy them, though. (Found some seeds on ebay, but I’d like to find an established plant.) If they work, I may just give it all up and become a beautybush grower.
Posted by holly on Thursday, July 13th, 2006, at 6:11 pm, and filed under Uncategorized.
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Regular dishes on life in New Orleans, historic home renovation, raising kids, completing a PhD, travel near and far, global concerns, and health issues.
You know the story, right? International health... work all over the place... drag my kids around in sacks through villages in Central America... yadda yadda. I decided to go for another degree, so in 2004 we moved to New Orleans with no intention of staying. Then Katrina. And then *blink*blink* New Orleans is a completely different place and we just can't leave. Suddenly I'm on TV talking about immigrants and health and Paul is starting a company. Or two. His side is high-tech, mine is community health and our lives are yearly evacuation, regular celebrations, and nonstop work here, there, and everywhere. Our door is always open. I only ask that if you decide to go ahead and make yourself that mint julep, you make one for me, too.
We strive to make our life our argument.
Matt and Laura | 14-Jul-06 at 5:56 am | Permalink
I think we might have one of these in our front yard! I’m going to be posting pictures of our house/yard shortly, so check our website to see a picture. Want me to smash up the leaves for you and make a juice? In Wisconsin we resorted to dousing a long sleeve t-shirt and jeans or thin cotton pants and even socks in repellant and keeping them in the garage. This way we could put them on whenever we ventured into mosquito territory. Only problem was we always had to take baths afterwards, but at least we weren’t constantly using the repellant on our skin. I guess we washed the clothes maybe twice each summer… I suggest you look into a bat house!
deb | 14-Jul-06 at 7:16 am | Permalink
Skin So Soft has a natural and effective bug repellant in it. It has a strong cosmetic aroma, but that’s not a bad trade off.
You also should do whatever you can to keep cool (reduce sweating) while outside. Soak a bandana in water and wear it around your neck. There is some neckwear that you can get that has a sponge-like material in it that keep moist and cool. You can pick one up at a bike shop.
Go outside in the earliest time of day that you can, when the skeeters may be less active.
Last. Don’t scratch.
Good luck
eli | 14-Jul-06 at 12:45 pm | Permalink
I second the Skin So Soft idea. What is really nice is that it comes with Sunscreen as well. I was told that the Echinachea (no clue how to spell that one) and bougenvilla in my back yard keep the mosquitos down.
Be very wary of the foggers…they are great but they kill most bugs (the good ones included).
Is there a way for you to actively work towards not having standing water around? That was the biggest culprit for mosquitos in VA.
Aunt Amy | 14-Jul-06 at 1:15 pm | Permalink
It’s probably a myth, but I heard that those critters are attracted to the potassium in one’s blood. So maybe avoid bananas and raisins the days you plan to be outside. Here are two interesting sites I found by Googling potassium + mosquitos:
http://www.thefrugallife.com/mosquitoes.html
http://www.frugalfun.com/mosquitos.html
Holly | 14-Jul-06 at 2:39 pm | Permalink
Thanks for all the comments, everyone!!
L: I’m dying to know if you’ve really got a beautybush in your yard! I’ll be on alert for the pictures.
E&D: I haven’t had much luck with Skin So Soft in the past — but it would be better than nothing. I am currently using a lemon eucalyptus spray that consumer reports says is as good at DEET products. (I want to stay away from nasty stuff since I handle the kids while outside.)
A: I wonder if the potassium thing is what makes me so chomp-able? I’ve heard that certain blood types are more appealing to mosquitoes than others. (I’m AB neg.)