Natural Remedies For Mosquitoes & Fleas On Dogs

Mosquito and flea bites can be very annoying to dogs.

Fleas are the most common canine pest and can cause severe itching and allergies in dogs. Mosquitoes prefer humans, but will settle for your dog as well. Mosquitoes carry heartworm microfilaria, which is an immature stage of heartworms, and can transfer it to your dog. Many natural remedies can be used to prevent flea and mosquito infestation in dogs.

Flea Comb

Using a flea comb is the simplest way to rid of fleas in dogs, according to the All-Pets-Info website. These fine-toothed combs are specially made to trap fleas and flea eggs from your dog's fur. Fleas and flea eggs get trapped in narrow gaps of the comb. Flea combs can be purchased at any pet shop and some retail stores. If the dog has an abundance of fleas, this method will not get rid of all of them. However, it will reduce the flea population on your dog significantly.

Essential Oils

Peppermint, lavender and geranium essential oils repel mosquitoes. The oils can be purchased at health food stores, online and at some retail stores. Apply a drop or two of the oil between the dog's shoulder blades daily to repel mosquitoes.

Lavender, peppermint, citronella and lemongrass essential oils can be used in the same way to repel against fleas.

Lemon

To make a homemade flea repellent, cut six lemons in half and put them in a quart of water to boil. Steep for several hours, and then strain the solution in a spray bottle. Spray your dog's fur coat, but make sure not to get it his eyes or around his face. After you spray the solution on the dog's fur, rub it is with your hands. This natural remedy can be used daily.

Apple Cider Vinegar

To relieve your dog from itching, due to mosquito bites, use apple cider vinegar. Put some apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and dab it directly on the mosquito bite. This will give immediate relief from itching.

Homemade Flea Spray

Another homemade flea spray can be made with warm water and essential oils. Mix 600 ml of warm water, two drops of pure lavender oil and two drops of cedar wood essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray on your dog, but make sure not to get in your dog's eyes. If you get the spray in your dog's eyes, immediately rinse with water.

Tags: essential oils, apple cider, flea eggs, from itching, homemade flea

Spray A Yard To Kill Chiggers

Chiggers are a species of mite in the same general family as spiders and ticks. Although they typically only target animals and birds, people can become targets if they are exposed to an area infested with them. Chigger bites are identified by intense itching and a hard scab or cap that forms over the bites because of the dissolved tissue from the chigger saliva. Treat your yard properly to reduce the chigger population and make outdoor activities more enjoyable. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Mow any high traffic areas. Keeping grass trimmed and low cut will help reduce the chigger population as they nest in tall grass.

2. Select an insecticide spray with chlorpyrifos or diazinon as these chemicals are highly effective at eliminating chiggers.

3. Read the product instructions thoroughly and mix your chosen treatment carefully according to the directions. Treat any tall grass areas, lawn edges and shrubbery. Let the spray dry before allowing anyone in the area, including your pets.

Tags: chigger population, reduce chigger, reduce chigger population, tall grass

Diy Make A Frequency Generator

A 555 timer forms the basis of a simple frequency generator.

If you're studying electronics, making a frequency generator is a great introduction to circuit building. The versatile 555 timer integrated circuit, or IC, provides most of the workings of a generator circuit, needing only a few outboard parts. A resistor-capacitor, or RC, timing network determines the circuit's frequency, ranging from under one cycle per second to over 500,000 hz. You can use it as a line level signal source, tone generator or as the basis for a light emitting diode, or LED flasher. The circuit parts are all inexpensive, and you can assemble it in an hour or two.

Instructions

1. Orient the 555 timer on the breadboard so that the IC's key notch faces to your left. Insert the 555 timer IC into the breadboard so that it straddles the wide groove in the middle of the breadboard. Be careful while pressing the IC's pins into the breadboard holes and make sure none of the pins bend under.

2. Insert a short jumper wire into the breadboard so that it connects pins 4 and 8 of the IC. The breadboard is wired together by column, so you can use any free hole in the same column. Insert a short jumper wire into the breadboard so that it connects pins 2 and 6. Insert one lead of the 1000 ohm resistor so that it connects to pin 8 of the IC. Insert the other lead so it connects to pin 7. Insert one lead of one .01 microfarad capacitor so it connects to pin 1. Insert the other lead so it connects to pin 2. Take the other capacitor and insert one lead so it connects to pin 5 of the IC. Insert the other lead so it connects to pin 1.

3. Take one 1 to 2 inch jumper wire and crimp one end to the wiper -- center -- lug of the 1M ohm variable resistor. Crimp a second short jumper wire to either of the other 2 free lugs. Solder these connections and give them a moment to cool. Insert one lead so it connects to pin 2 of the 555 IC. Insert the other lead so it connects to pin 7.

4. Insert the bare end of the battery clip's positive -- red -- wire into the breadboard so it connects to the 555 timer's pin 8. Insert the bare end of the negative wire so it connects to pin 1. Insert a jumper wire at least 8 inches long so it connects to pin 3. Insert another long wire so it connects to pin 1.

5. Clip the oscilloscope probe to the long wire coming from pin 3. Clip the probe's ground connector to the long wire coming from pin 1. Turn the oscilloscope on. Set its horizontal sweep rate about 10 milliseconds, or thousandths of a second, per division. Set its vertical gain to about 1 volt per division.

6. Press a fresh 9 volt battery into the clip. You should see a pulse waveform on the oscilloscope screen. Turn the shaft of the variable resistor and observe that the frequency of the pulse changes.

Tags: connects Insert, lead connects, into breadboard, jumper wire, breadboard that, connects Insert other, Insert other

Make Organic Bug Repellant For Your Garden Plants

Make organic bug repellant

You can keep your garden and potted outdoor plants free of aphids and other pests without chemicals. It's simple to make your own organic bug spray with things you probably already have in your kitchen! Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Peel and dice a medium-sized onion and soak in a bowl of water overnight. The amount of water you use to soak should be the amount that will fit into your spray bottle.

2. On the next day you can strain your onion steeping water into your spray bottle and begin to use it right away. Spray on all your plants, especially any that are vulnerable to aphids and other garden pests. You can use it on herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Any onion smell or flavor will dissipate, so you won't notice it when it's time to eat your garden produce.

3. Use daily once your plants are established, and store the spray bottle in the refrigerator. Your onion-water spray will last 6 to 8 weeks if refrigerated.

Tags: spray bottle, your spray bottle, aphids other, into your, into your spray, your garden

Breed Dragonflies

Dragonflies are beautiful, intriguing insects. They come in vivid colors and perform dazzling aerial maneuvers. These insects have been around since long before humans and dinosaurs, and were soaring the skies over 300 million years ago.

Instructions

1. Locate a likely egg source. Outside of tropical regions, dragonflies are limited to permanent bodies of water, such as ponds, streams and wetlands. The breeding season for most dragonflies is late spring and summer, so fall is the best time to find eggs and relatively young larvae.

2. Collect the eggs and larvae. Take a small sieve and drag it through the mud and leaf litter in the bottom of the body of water. You should be aggressive enough to disturb the sediment, but gentle enough not to harm the larvae and eggs. In some areas, you can buy dragonfly larvae in bait shops. Identify these larvae before releasing them as adults.

3. Fool the eggs and larvae. Your dragonflies will grow best in an environment that mimics their natural habitat. If you found the larvae and eggs among pebbles, use that type of substrate in your housing. Aquariums with filters (to get rid of uneaten food), plants (for the nymphs to hide in and climb up) and the appropriate substrate work best.

4. Feed the larvae and nymphs live food. Dragonflies are carnivores and won't eat dead food. Whiteworms and bloodworms work well. You can attempt to breed your own food to have a ready supply.

5. Monitor for emergence behavior and provide emergence points. These insects will become less active, stop feeding and spend more time partially above the water. You can place muslin or gauze in the water and extend it out into the air so that they can climb up and emerge. Form a cage to protect the emerging adults and keep them from escaping.

6. Release or preserve your adults. Dragonflies will spend a year or more in the larval phase but only a few weeks in the adult phase. If your dragonflies are a native species, you can release the adults. If your dragonflies are unknown or non-native, preserve the adult and the casing left from the emergence in a 70-percent alcohol solution.

Tags: eggs larvae, larvae eggs, These insects, your dragonflies

Camping Birthday Cake Ideas

Are you a plan-ahead person, or a last-minute person? If you're making a camping birthday cake, you can go either way. There are camping themed cakes that you can make ahead of time, and there are birthday cakes you can make while camping. Either way, these cakes take little time to prepare. The only cost involved is the ingredients, and you can let the kids help decorate them. Does this Spark an idea?

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

A pineapple upside-down cake isn't a traditional birthday cake, but it can be made while camping. Place a pineapple ring in the bottom of a cleaned-out tuna fish can, and pour 1 cup cake batter on top of the pineapple ring. Wrap the can in tin foil and place it in the fire. Check the cake after 15 minutes and then every 5 minutes until it is done. Make one for each person.

Cabin Cake

Bake a cake in a 9 by 13 inch pan. After the cake is baked and completely cooled, cut the cake in half and stack the two halves on top of each other. Cover the entire cake in brown frosting, and use black and white frosting to add details, making it look like a cabin.

Skillet Cake

Prepare a cake mix as directed on the box. Pour the cake batter into a deep 10-inch skillet. Cover the skillet with a metal lid or flat cover, and place the entire skillet into the base of a low fire. Check the cake after about 20 minutes and every 5 minutes, until you can stick a knife in the center, and it comes out clean. Flip the skillet upside down to let the cake fall out onto a cooling tray. Decorate the cake after it cools completely.

Sheet Cake

Bake a traditional sheet cake, and create a camping scene in frosting. Draw a tent on the cake. Use marshmallows to create clouds. Use small pretzel sticks to create the fire. Use green food coloring to color shredded coconut, and use it as grass.

Mountain Cake

Bake a cake in an oven-safe batter bowl for approximately 55 to 60 minutes. Let it cool completely. Decorate the cake to look like a mountain. It can be a grassy mountain with chocolate rocks and green coconut grass patches, or it can be a snow-covered mountain with white frosting and marshmallow creme.

Tags: cake after, Cake Bake, Bake cake, birthday cake, Cake Bake cake, cake batter

Do Flowers Repel Flies

Dried bunches of lavender hung inside the home help repel annoying flies.

Many flowers and herbs contain aromatic properties that attract beneficial insects while repelling flies and other aggressive pests. Aromatic, insect-repelling plants are a safe alternative to chemical pesticides. Does this Spark an idea?

Annual Flowering Aromatic Herbs

The spicy, astringent scent of basil is repugnant to many insects.

The delicate white or purple flowers of Dark Opal basil (Ocimum basilicum "Dark Opal",) common basil (O. basillicum,) Spicy Globe basil (O. basilicum "Spicy Globe") and Greek bush basil (O. minimum) repel flies, mosquitoes, moths and aphids. Basil planted near tomatoes repels hornworms.

Annual Flowers

Marigolds repel whiteflies

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) repel whiteflies. The marigold"s roots give off a noxious odor that permeates the soil. Marigolds are sun-loving annuals that are easy to grow. Their bright orange, red and yellow flowers are used as borders or edging plants in the garden. ??Nasturtium (Tropaeolum minus) and celery repel white cabbage flies.

Biennals And Tender Perennials

Parsley adds color and flavor to many food dishes.

Plant curley parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and flat-leaf Italian parsley (P. crispum neapolflanum) together with carrot seeds to repel carrot flies. When used as a companion plant to carrots, Prostratus rosemary (Rosmatinus officinalis "Prostratus") and sage (Salvia officinalis) also deter carrot flies.

Perennials

Thyme presents a crisp, green herbaceous fragrance.

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is aromatic and pungent. The plant"s bitter taste and strong fragrance repels flies and mosquitoes. ??Tansy (Tanacetum vulgar) presents bright-yellow, buttonlike flowers that emit a fragrance effective in repelling flies. Early American settlers planted tansy by doorways and hung clumps in windows to repel unwanted flying insects including flies and mosquitoes. ??Lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodorus,) common thyme (T. vulgaris) and French Narrow Leaf thyme (T. vulgaris "French Narrow Leaf") repel whiteflies in the home garden. ??Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) repels flies and attracts butterflies, honeybees and hummingbirds.

Tags: flies mosquitoes, repel whiteflies, carrot flies, Dark Opal, French Narrow, French Narrow Leaf

Tips To Get Rid Of Acne Scarring

Scarring is one of the unfortunate aftereffects of acne breakouts. If you have acne scars, you may want to know how you can rid yourself of them for good. Fortunately, advancements in medical technology have paved the way for skin treatments that reduce or eliminate acne scars. Does this Spark an idea?

Determine Your Type of Scar

Acne scarring usually falls under one of two categories: minor and severe. Knowing which type of scarring you have will dictate the best treatment options for you. Acne flare-ups that come from small pimples, blackheads and whiteheads will likely cause only minor scarring.

Severe acne scarring is a result of consistent acne breakouts that are comprised of papules (inflamed pimples), pustules (white-centered pimples), nodules (larger pus-filled lumps) and cysts. These types of blemishes are bigger in size than their blackhead/whitehead counterparts and take longer to heal, thus creating scars.

Treat Minor Acne Scars at Home

You can usually treat your minor acne scars with at-home treatments that are either prescribed by your doctor or created from different household ingredients. Your dermatologist can prescribe a topical cream treatment that is used on the scars every day. These treatments normally consist of active ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids or Retin-A that are known to help slough off dead skin and promote cell renewal.

Home remedies passed down for generations have also been shown to reduce minor acne scarring. One example is to mix a paste of sandalwood and rosewood and wear on your face overnight to reduce redness. Another is rubbing the pulp of a tomato on your face. The enzymes and acids in the tomato work to exfoliate the skin.

Seek Professional Help for Severe Scars

Severe acne scars should only be tackled by skin professionals. Your dermatologist will evaluate your scars and determine which treatment is likely to work for your skin.

Examples of professional-grade acne scar treatments include microdermabrasion, chemical peel, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion. These treatments can be painful and it takes some time to recover from each procedure. For example, dermabrasion involves physically removing the epidermis (top layer of skin) with a wire brush. Chemical peels involve burning off the epidermis with a chemical solution. The result is a lot like sunburn: your skin will peel off over the course of several weeks, revealing new skin underneath.

These treatments are normally considered to be cosmetic procedures, and as such, are rarely covered by health insurance.

Tags: acne scars, These treatments, acne breakouts, minor acne, Severe acne, These treatments normally, treatments normally

Treat Hurtful Mosquito Bites

If you develop a fever, headaches, nausea or body aches after a mosquito bite, seek medical attention.

Hurtful mosquito bites result from the bites of female mosquitoes that need the protein in blood to produce eggs. Every new batch of eggs requires a new intake of blood. A female mosquito will stick her proboscis, which resembles and functions like a vacuum hose, beneath the skin and suck blood into her abdomen. The bite's symptoms, such as swelling and itching, are due to the human body's autoimmune reaction to the mosquito's saliva. Treat the bite with over-the-counter medication.

Instructions

1. Cleanse the bite area with soap and water.

2. Apply an ice pack, cold compress or ice cubes wrapped in a towel to the bite area for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for about six hours.

3. Elevate the bite area to avoid further swelling, and rest.

4. Use an antihistamine or pain-killing gel to soothe the bite area if the skin is red or irritated.

5. Apply hydrocortisone cream or any over-the-counter anti-itch medication over the next several days to stave off itching until the skin heals.

Tags: bite area

Natural Tick Repellent For Humans

Ticks are not just creepy little bloodsuckers; they are also carriers of serious diseases including Lyme disease. You can create your own natural repellent to keep ticks away from you and your family. Does this Spark an idea?

Natural Repellents

Rose geranium plants are natural tick repellents. When their leaves are bruised, they emit a pungent odor that drives away ticks, mosquitoes and other insects. Citrus oils contain d-limonene, a natural insect repellent that works on ticks.

Creation

You can make your own rose geranium tick repellent by crushing a few leaves and rubbing them and their juices on your skin. If you have rose geranium essential oil, add a few drops to a spray bottle full of water and spritz the mixture on your clothes before you go outside. To create a citrus oil repellent, cut up a lemon and pour a pint of boiling water over it. Let the mixture cool, then pour the water into a spray bottle. You can spray your skin with it to repel ticks.

Considerations

It can take some time to get used to the powerful scent of rose geraniums. If you use citrus oil as a natural tick repellent, remember that it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight so take care to stay out of the sun when you go outside.

Tags: your skin, make your, rose geranium, spray bottle, tick repellent

Squirrel Repellent Herbs

These pesky rodents can put a strain on your garden's production.

With over 280 species present in North America alone, squirrels can be found around every corner, but these common backyard pests do more than raid bird feeders and bury acorns. Squirrels are known for digging up plant and flower bulbs in gardens to snack on the savory treats, nibbling the buds off spring plants and trees, and devouring underdeveloped vegetables. Fortunately, chemical and trap-wary gardeners have a variety of herbal repellents available. Does this Spark an idea?

Cayenne

Because squirrels have extremely sensitive noses, the spicy smell of cayenne pepper will drive them away from plants. Sprinkle dried and powdered cayenne pepper liberally around the edges of your yard, around garden beds and at the base of trees. Hot sauce, chili powder and other spicy alternatives work just as well, but are oftentimes quite a bit more expensive. Fresh peppers also work, but must be be finely chopped before spreading. Use only spicy varieties like jalapenos, as bell peppers will be ineffective. Another perk to using these spicy natural repellents is that plant-destroying rabbits will steer clear of your yard as well.

Black Pepper

Similar to Cayenne and other spicy peppers, ground black pepper has a strong scent that will repel squirrels. The fresher the pepper the better, as it will contain a stronger scent and flavor. For best results, use a whole peppercorn grinder to apply ground black pepper to the base of plants and garden beds.

Safflower

If squirrels are continually emptying your bird feeders and driving birds away, you may wish to mix a few handfuls of safflower seeds into your feeding mix before setting out. Many birds, especially winter varieties like cardinals, enjoy safflower seeds, but the bitter smell and taste will drive away squirrels.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel, often referred to as winterbloom, are medium-sized shrubs whose leaves are used in the production of witch hazel astringent. The bark and leaves of witch hazel plants are extremely bitter and tangy, and may drive away squirrels when planted in small gardens. For larger gardens, try spraying witch hazel astringent or extract along the edges of garden beds and trees.

Mint

With over a dozen varieties to choose from, including spearmint, peppermint and other easy to grow options, mint is one of the best ideas for those who prefer to grow their squirrel repellent themselves. Mint plants are usually small and unobtrusive, and may be planted around the edges of yards or in between plants that are susceptible to squirrel attacks. If preferred, mint leaves, or mint extracts and oils are available at your local grocery or health food store. Mint oils contain an extremely concentrated scent that will repel squirrels, but may also burn plant roots or stems, and must be used with caution.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon and nutmeg, both common pantry spices, contain squirrel repelling abilities similar to that of mint leaves. For best results sprinkle freshly ground cinnamon bark or nutmeg seeds around your yard and garden beds.

Tags: garden beds, your yard, around edges, away squirrels, best results

Light Propane Appliances After The Propane Is Shut Off

Propane tanks come in many colors, shapes and sizes.

Propane is a wonder of modern energy. It is cleaner burning than coal and comes in a gaseous form. Propane is used for cooking with ovens, stoves and grills and can also be used to heat your home and for any other device that burns propane as an energy source. Use of propane-powered devices is generally simple and most modern devices are all but self lit. A bit of human button-pressing and you are on your way to a warm home or a cooked steak in no time. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Turn the propane tank back on at the valve by turning the handle to the left if it has been shut off. If the propane tank is empty, you will need to take it to get filled. Local hardware stores or supermarket chains can help with such a task.

2. Attach a new propane tank to the appliance you wish to power. Most modern propane tanks can be attached by hand. Some older or different models may require you to use a wrench to tighten the connection.

3. Turn the tank on by turning the handle on the valve to left until you hear and feel a steady stream of propane flowing from the tank to the appliance.

4. Move from the tank to the appliance you wish to light and follow any lighting instructions the appliance has. Most heaters, grills, ovens, stoves and other appliances have buttons you can push to produce a spark that will light the propane. If there is not a button to push, consult operation and safety literature for the appliance and perform a manual lighting with a match or lighter.

Tags: propane tank, tank appliance, appliance wish, from tank, from tank appliance, ovens stoves, tank appliance wish

Hanging Plants That Repel Mosquitos

Rosemary makes a good herb and mosquito-repelling plant.

Mosquitoes can be a problem in moisture climates, or even in drier climates near ponds, pools, or moist soils. If you have too many mosquitoes, it's difficult to entertain in the garden or yard. One of the easiest ways to repel mosquitoes is by using plants that exude odors and chemicals that ward off mosquitoes. Several varieties are known for their mosquito-repelling properties, and several can be used as hanging plant decorations on patios. Does this Spark an idea?

Marigold

Marigolds are bright yellow, orange, and red flowers that create a smell that mosquitoes do not like. They are annuals, but look stylish in full bloom and work well for hanging pots. Homeowners who are considering marigolds may want to visit a nursery and smell the flowers themselves, since some people do not enjoy the smell of marigolds, either.

Mint

Mint creates oils that mosquitoes do not like being around, while their smell is not unpleasant to humans. While mint does not produce vines or attractive flowers, it does tend to spread over ground quickly, so many growers prefer to keep it in pots where its growth is controlled. Homeowners can also use catnip, a powerful relative of mint, and keep it hanging out of the reach of household cats.

Rosemary

Rosemary is another herb that creates oils that repel mosquitoes. To make rosemary a suitable hanging plant decoration, homeowners should combine it with several other herbs mosquitoes do not like, such as lemongrass and basil. Wormwood is also an option, although it is not an herb and should not be used for cooking.

Citronella

Citronella is a traditional "mosquito plant" that does an excellent job of warding off mosquitoes. It has vivid green foliage, blue and white flowers, and is an attractive decorative plant in most circumstances, including when it's in a hanging pot. Citronella varieties come in different sizes and colors.

Tansies

Tansies, also called mums, are similar to marigold, but grow taller and have larger flowers that come in a wide variety of colors, including pink, yellow, and red. They are a good choice for a homeowner who wants to add color to a patio and does not mind picking out her own color variations for hanging arrangements.

Tags: mosquitoes like, creates oils, creates oils that, flowers that, hanging plant

Facts About African Flowers

The African continent has climates ranging from tropical to arid deserts, savanna plains and dense jungles, to subarctic climates at high peaks. An enormous variety of flowering plants grow there. Does this Spark an idea?

North Africa

A poisonous flowering plant in Morocco called Henbane (a.k.a. "stinking nightshade") has psychoactive properties when consumed, causing visual hallucinations and a sensation of flight. Geraniums that grow in cold climates like Great Britain and North America also thrive in North Africa, where the leaves are sometimes rubbed on the skin as a mosquito repellent.

Southern Africa

Some of the best known flowers in the world are native to South Africa, including Gerbera Daisies, Aloes, Cow Parsley, Gladioli and Birds of Paradise. Aloe Vera, widely used in cosmetics and alternative medicine for its healing properties originated in southern and tropical Africa. Malawi has the most orchids of any African nation.

West Africa

The flowering plant commonly called "snake plant" or "mother-in-law's tongue" is native to tropical West Africa but now grown all over the world. In Africa it is used as a protective charm against evil spirits.

East Africa

A flowering plant known as Khat that is native to tropical East Africa contains an amphetamine-like stimulant and is a controlled substance in many countries. A flower named Vernonia Galamensis is a member of the sunflower family with over 1,000 species native to East Africa. It is cultivated widely in Ethiopia as a source of vernonia oil which is used to make plastics.

Central Africa

A type of Begonia endemic to tropical Africa with sour, edible leaves is cultivated and eaten in the Congo region.

Tags: East Africa, flowering plant, Africa flowering, Africa flowering plant, native tropical, North Africa

Make Sticky Traps For Flies & Bugs

Flies and bugs infiltrate your home via drains and open windows. They also invade outdoor areas such as porches and gardens. Such pests carry diseases and damage plants, fruits and vegetables found inside and outside the home. Pesticides that contain harmful chemicals destroy flies and bugs, but such pesticides are also harmful to humans and pets. A homemade sticky trap attracts and captures a variety of bugs and flies, and does so without the use of any dangerous chemicals.

Instructions

1. Choose a color for the cardboard paper. Black flies are attracted to darker colors, such as navy blue, according to the University of Minnesota Extension Service website. White flies are attracted to brighter colors, like yellow.

2. Mix water with corn syrup inside a cooking pot. The Pest Cemetery website recommends using a quart of each ingredient. Heat the ingredients on the stove until the mixture comes to a boil.

3. Spread the sticky mixture onto the paper with a spoon. Spread an even layer over the paper and don't worry if there is mixture left over.

4. Place the trap wherever you wish to catch flies, such as over a drain or in a garden. To hang the trap, use a hole punch to place a hole at the top of the paper. Then, insert a hook or piece of string into the hole, and hang the trap wherever you wish.

Tags: flies attracted, hang trap, trap wherever, trap wherever wish, wherever wish

Make Organic Insect Repellant

Make Organic Insect Repellant

Dealing with mosquitoes and other insects can be quite annoying when trying to enjoy outside activities. If you are concerned about using commercial insect repellants, you might like to try this organic recipe for garlic-pepper tea insect repellant.

Instructions

1. Combine two bulbs of garlic and two cayenne or habanera peppers with 1 cup of water in a blender. Blend into a liquid consistency.

2. Strain the mixture to remove any solid particles.

3. Pour the strained garlic-pepper juice into a one gallon container. A rinsed out gallon milk jug makes a good container.

4. Fill the remaining volume of the container with water to make the concentrated solution.

5. Put the lid on the container and shake well.

6. Pour 1/4 cup of the garlic-pepper concentrate in a 1 gallon spray bottle.

7. Fill the remaining volume of the spray bottle with water and screw on the spray nozzle. You can use this mixture as an organic insect repellant.

8. Spray the organic insect repellant on outdoor areas and plants.

Tags: with water, Fill remaining, Fill remaining volume, insect repellant, Make Organic, Make Organic Insect

Use Phytoremediation

Plants were on the earth before humans. If not for plants, humans would not be able to exist. And as long as man has inhabited this earth, plants have been cleaning up after him. They take our carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen so we can breathe. They use animal waste as food and grow bigger. As seedlings grow into trees, they protect us from the damaging sun and keep our earth cooler. Now that man has polluted the earth, we are learning to use plants to clean up after us and maybe save our water and soil...so we can have safe water and soil in which to grow more plants. And the cycle can go on. Phytoremediation is a big word for finding the right plants to do the clean up work we so need. Plants have always supported us. Now they are saving us from ourselves. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Use our natural ecosystems. Plants take up water and organic contaminants through their roots. The contaminated water is taken into the leaves and released as a detoxified vapor into the atmosphere.

2. Use plants for decontamination in place rather than transporting waste material somewhere else and trying to treat it. Plants excrete and provide enzymes and organic substances from their roots that stimulate growth of microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. The microorganisms in the root zone then metabolize the organic contaminants. This can help decontaminate our soils and make them suitable for more planting.

3. Plant our levees, the sides of our roads and interstates. Wherever we have run off filled with contaminants, we can use plants to clean up after us. The plants can control erosion and reduce run off. They can control lateral migration of contaminants into our ground water.

4. Filter our water with plants. We now use chlorine to make our water safe to drink. Submerged and floating aquatic plants can do the same thing without harsh chemicals that we must either ingest or filter out. If a water treatment plant is set up in stages using the same plants you find in swamps and wetlands with contaminated water filtering through gravel, sand and long rooted floating plants, it is drinkable and healthy after that filtering.

5. Remove toxins from the soil with plants. Toxic metals can be metabolized to non-toxic molecules by natural chemical processes in the plant. Sunflowers and Chinese Brake ferns have been found to significantly reduce arsenic. Alpine pennycress can reduce toxic levels of cadmium and zinc. Lead can be reduced by Indian Mustard, Ragweed, Hemp Dogbane or Poplar trees. Barley and sugar beets can remove salt from areas flooded by sea water and allow them to support other plant life again. Sunflowers were used to remove uranium after the Chernobyl accident.

Tags: plants clean, clean after, contaminated water, have been, organic contaminants, plants clean after

Classes Of Leukocytes

Leukocytes are white blood cells, and the human body has five different types that travel through the blood stream and play a critical role in protecting us from diseases. Each class of leukocytes plays a different role, but they work in unison--like an army--to combat threats, including bacterial infections, parasites and viruses. The number of leukocytes rises in the presence of a threat, and white blood cell counts can indicate the presence of an otherwise undetectable disease.

Neutrophils

Neutrophils are designed to protect the body from bacterial or fungal infections. They normally constitute more than half of the white blood cells in blood. Neutrophils are the immune system's first responders to foreign substances and are designed to kill bacteria and other pathogens. Neutrophils are found in large numbers when the body is wounded. Signs that neutrophils are preventing the spread of a bacterial infection include acute inflammation and visible pus, created from the large amount of dead bacterial cells. Neutrophils cannot sustain themselves and die after killing a few pathogens. A low neutrophil count indicates a greater chance of bacterial infection.

Eosinophils

While neutrophils fight bacteria and fungus, eosinophils are designed to battle parasites and parasitic-related infections. Eosinophils normally constitute one to three percent of the blood's leukocytes. If a larger number are detected in a blood test, it can indicate the presence of a parasite. The eosinophil count also rises during allergic reactions, which occur when the body senses a threat that is actually harmless. These cells contribute to allergic symptoms, such as hay fever, asthma and hives.

Basophils

Basophils are chiefly responsible for releasing histamines, the chemical that produces an inflammation in response to injury. They travel through the bloodstream to the injury site and are partially responsible for causing swelling, warmth and redness, which are all signs that the body is fighting foreign invaders. Basophils are normally barely present in the blood stream, constituting less than one percent of the body's total white blood cell count. Higher-than-average basophil counts may indicate some types of anemia or bone marrow-related diseases.

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are associated with the body's lymphatic system. They break down into three types: B-cells, T-cells and natural killer cells, all of which are critical to immune response systems. B-cells make antibodies that "stick" to pathogens, leaving them vulnerable to attack. T-cells "coordinate" the immune response and help kill some virus-infected and tumor cells. Natural killer cells "listen" to T-cell commands and destroy cells that contain viruses or have become cancerous. Lymphocytes are small and plentiful in the bloodstream, as well as the lymphatic system.

Monocytes

Monocytes are the largest class of leukocytes and are designed to surround, devour and digest pathogens and microorganisms. They are hardier than neutrophils, and also deliver pathogens to lymphocytes to start the production of antibodies to combat specific infections and diseases. Monocytes also act as the body's "vacuum cleaners" by removing unnecessary cells and material from the body. Monocytes typically make up less than 10 percent of all white blood cells; higher numbers may indicate malaria, typhoid or endocarditis.

Tags: white blood, blood cells, white blood cells, bacterial infection, blood cell, blood stream, class leukocytes

Flowers That Repel Fleas

Keep your pets flea free by growing flea repelling flowers in your landscape.

Being invaded by fleas, whether the fleas are on your pets or in your home, is unpleasant and it can be a lengthy ordeal to get rid of the pests. Commercial products are expensive and can be harsh and messy. There are several plants and flowers that naturally repel fleas because of offensive odors to fleas and many contain pyrethrin, an ingredient often found in commercial fleas repellent products. Does this Spark an idea?

Painted Daisy

A hardy perennial in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, painted daisy plants can grow in sun or partial shade as long as the soil is well draining. Painted daisies, also referred to as pyrethrum daisy, is in the asteraceae family, chrysanthemum genus. Easy to care for, the bright and colorful daisy-shaped flowers, in shades of pink, white, red and purple, contain the flea repelling chemical pyrethrin. Commercially, painted daisy flowers are harvested shortly after blooming and processed into flea repellent products. Plant painted daisies throughout your landscape to deter fleas, or crush dried flower heads to rub on the coats of flea infected pets.

Tansy

Bright yellow, button-shaped flowers with fern-like foliage describes the perennial herb, tansy. Like painted daisy plants, tansy belongs to the asteraceae family and contains flea repelling properties in its flowers and leaves. Tansy grows easily in a variety of conditions, but is known to become invasive and should be grown in containers to avoid the plant's rhizome spreading. Tansy has a strong aroma that repels a number of insects and pests, including fleas. Place the plant close to doorways and areas where pets run. Tansy flowers can be harvested, dried and ground, then rubbed into your pet's fur and combed out to repel fleas. Tansy can be toxic if ingested in large amounts, therefore, using the growing plant and its aroma to repel fleas is a safe alternative.

Lavender

Lavender has so many uses for the home and garden, flea and insect repellent being one of them. The strong, fragrant odor of the lavender flower is appealing to humans, but not fleas. Fresh and dried lavender flowers can be placed throughout your home, while lavender plants should be grown in your landscape to control fleas. Use dried and crushed lavender flowers as a flea powder for your pets by itself, or mix it with dried and crushed flowers of tansy or fleabane.

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal is a perennial herb from the mint family that is often used as a ground cover for its growth habit of spreading horizontally. Pennyroyal has many uses -- medicinal, culinary and as an insect repellent. The leaves are often used, but during the summer, the plant will have an abundance of small pink flowers, which have the strongest scent for flea repellent. Vases containing fresh-cut pennyroyal throughout you home will deter fleas and other pests. Braided flowering pennyroyal stems around your dog's neck makes a natural flea collar. Cats may have a sensitivity to pennyroyal and, to be cautious, limit your cat's exposure to the herb.

Tags: flea repelling, painted daisy, repel fleas, your landscape, your pets, asteraceae family, daisy plants

Active Ingredients In Insecticide

Common insecticides are used to reduce populations of pest insects that destroy crops and homes.

Insecticides use many different active ingredients to reduce the number of pests in a given environment. Some are designed to kill the adults while others are designed to make juvenile insects infertile. The need for several different options for insect control stems from the inability to safely kill all insects with a single compound. Does this Spark an idea?

Chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos, also known as Dursban, is a toxic compound that kills a wide variety of common pests such as cockroaches either through contact or ingestion of the poison. This is a popular chemical used in residential treatment of roaches and other pests due to its relatively long residual life, meaning that it will stay active for several weeks after application.

Diazinon

Diazinon is a broad-spectrum organophosphate toxin commonly used in household gardens that works much the same way as chlorpyrifos, through contact or ingestion. It is effective against fleas, roaches, silverfish and ants. It is currently banned in the U.S. for residential use due to its toxicity to humans. It is still approved for use in agricultural applications.

Pyrethrin

Pyrethrin is a natural and safe compound that can be used safely around household pets (it is the common active ingredient in many flea and tick preparations), and in food gardens. Many commercial farms use pyrethrin-based insecticides in crops intended for human consumption. Pyrethrin is not very effective in killing insects directly; however, when combined with a synergist compound, it becomes lethal to insects.

Resmethrin

Resmethrin is a synthetic version of pyrethrin and works in much the same manner. The main target of this compound is mosquito populations, and it is introduced into stagnant bodies of water such as ponds and lakes.

Piperonyl Butoxide

Piperonyl Butoxide is not considered an insecticide; however it is a synergist when combined with pyrethrin, resmethrin or other pyrethrin/pyrethroid compounds, boosting the efficacy of these compounds.

Tags: works much same, combined with, compound that, contact ingestion, much same

Homemade Traps For Flies & Ladybugs

As the weather cools, ladybugs will infest a house to seek warmth.

There are few things more aggravating than working hard all day to prepare a formal dinner, only to have it destroyed by one black fly landing on the main course of a guest's plate. Keep flies and ladybugs out of the house by making your own trap. This helps you save money and minimize the harsh chemicals brought into your home with homemade traps. Flies and ladybugs can be captured just as effectively with homemade traps as they can with manufactured traps. Does this Spark an idea?

Glue Pad

Paint non-drying glue onto your insect trap.

Glue pads and sticky strips are effective but must be made with a glue that does not dry. When placed in a high-traffic area for flies and ladybugs, glue traps will reduce your bug infestation dramatically. Tangle-Trap and Catch Master are two adhesives that work well to trap bugs and will not dry out over time. Corn syrup is effective for catching insects, but tends to be messier. Cover a spoon or knife with a layer of dish soap before applying the adhesive onto a sturdy piece of cardboard or wood. Place the trap in the area most infested by flies and ladybugs. To store the trap, cover the cardboard with a piece of wax paper. When ready to use, peel back the wax paper and start trapping flies and ladybugs.

Baited Trap

Capture insects and flies using an old soda bottle.

Luring prey into a trap with bait is a common hunting technique. The same principle can be applied to catching flies and ladybugs. Create a simple trap, bait it with the insects' favorite food and let the bugs do the work. A 2-liter, plastic soda bottle makes an effective yet simple trap. Measure 6 inches from the top of the bottle and cut the top portion off the bottom. Use fruit pieces or jam to trap flies and ladybugs. Lay the bait in the bottom portion of the bottle. Flip the top upside-down and slide it into the bottom so it resembles a funnel. Flies and ladybugs will come into the trap in search of the bait, but they won't be able to get out. When the trap is full, bring it outside to release the insects.

Black Light

Insects are attracted to black lights.

Flies and ladybugs are attracted to black lights. Pick up a few supplies from your hardware store to make your own black light bug trap at home rather than spending a small fortune from a pest control expert. Fit a black light bulb into a clamp-light fixture. This light will attract the bugs. Punch holes into the rim of the light fixture to attach the rest of the trap. Plastic transparancies used for overhead projectors, sprinkled with baby powder or corn starch, prevent the bugs from climbing out of the trap. Cut two transparencies down the center, stopping halfway. Slide the transparencies into one another at the slits, creating a vane. Punch holes in the top of the vane. Using twisty-ties, attach the vane to the lamp fixture. When the bugs fall down the vane, they must be funneled into a collector. Cut the bottom 3 inches off a gallon milk carton. Punch four holes around the bottom of the jug's top portion and the bottom of the vane. Attach to the bottom of the vane to the holes in the jug using twisty-ties . Tape the neck of the inverted milk jug portion to the neck of a second milk jug. As bugs fall through the funnel, they will land in this second jug waiting to be released.

Sticky Swatter

Turn an old tennis racket into a trap for bugs.

Fly swatters work well to kill bugs. The same principle can be used to capture flies and ladybugs flying in mid-air. According to Stephen Tvedten, Integrated Pest Management expert, flies have clear vision from only 18 inches and closer. Cover a large, old tennis racket on both sides in sticky tape, such as duct tape, rolled onto itself. Swing the racket in a swarm of flies and ladybugs. Trap the insects on the tape.

Tags: flies ladybugs, into trap, attracted black, attracted black lights, black light, black lights, bottom portion

Antimalarials For Travel In Africa

Beautiful Africa

Planning a dream vacation to Africa? If so, you will need to research which areas of Africa you are visiting that might have malaria present. If you will be visiting an area of Africa with malaria present, you will need to discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with this mosquito-borne infectious disease. If you do the research, talk with your doctor and take the necessary precautions, you will avoid contracting malaria and enjoy the trip of a lifetime. One beneficial way to prevent malaria includes taking a prescription antimalarial drug.

Types of Antimalarial Drugs

There are several drugs on the market that help to prevent malaria. The following antimalarial drugs are good options for malaria prevention in Africa. They include atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline or mefloquine. These drugs provide similar effects for malaria prevention. Talk with your doctor to select the drug that is right for you.

Doxycycline Prophylaxis

Those taking doxycycline prophylaxis should begin the first dose one to two days before travel to malarious areas. It should be continued once a day, at the same time each day, during travel in malarious areas and daily for four weeks after the traveler leaves the areas where malaria is present. While taking this drug, you may be more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to wear sunscreen. The drug should be taken with food as it can cause inflammation to the esophagus.

Mefloquine Prophylaxis

Travelers who take mefloquine prophylaxis should begin at least two weeks before travel to malarious areas. It should be continued once a week, on the same day of the week, during travel in malarious areas, and for four weeks after leaving the area where malaria is present. The drug may cause mild symptoms including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia and nightmares.

Malarone

Malarone (atovaquone and proguanil HCl) can be used both to treat and to prevent malaria. The adult dose is one tablet daily starting one or two days before traveling into a malaria-endemic area and continuing throughout the stay and then for another seven days after returning from the malarious area.

Side effects, which are typically mild, may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea or dizziness. Serious adverse reactions are rare.

Considerations

To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least four to six weeks before your trip to start taking medicine to prevent malaria if you need it. Even if it is less than four weeks before you leave, it's not too late and you should still see a health-care provider for antimalaria drugs and information about protect yourself from this illness.

Mosquito Avoidance Measures

Malaria transmission primarily occurs between dusk and dawn. Stay in well-screened areas, use mosquito bed nets and wear clothes that cover most of your body. Also, travelers should use effective mosquito repellent. You should look for repellents that contain DEET. This ingredient is most effective in combating mosquitos. Do the research and talk with your doctor. There are multiple ways to prevent malaria. Most importantly, enjoy your travels!

Tags: prevent malaria, four weeks, malaria present, malarious areas, travel malarious, travel malarious areas

Homemade Pvc Mosquito Net

Homemade PVC Mosquito Net

While most of us dream of traveling to exotic locations, few are lucky enough to have the opportunity actually to visit tropical rain forests, hike up foreign mountains or embark upon a safari. For those who do get the chance to visit exotic or scenic locations, however, it is imperative that you remember to arrange the necessary preparations. Planning for things as simple as mosquito netting can make the difference between a once in a lifetime trip and an experience you hope to forget soon.

Getting Materials For Two Beds

Creating your own homemade mosquito net is a simple, cost-effective way to protect yourself against warm-weather pests you may encounter on your travels. PVC tubing provides a great, low-price framework for constructing a simple mosquito net and PVC is also a lightweight material for traveling. For less than $10 you can purchase all of the PVC materials that you will need at any home construction store. You will need to purchase four pieces of 10-foot PVC tubing that has a diameter of 3/4 inch (you will cut the tubes down to the desired length at home). You also will need eight PVC slip caps (3/4 inch in diameter as well). This quantity of materials will be sufficient for the construction of two full-sized mosquito nets; for more or less, divide the quantities accordingly (one net would require two pieces of PVC tubing and four PVC slip caps). You also will need duct tape and the mosquito netting itself when you set up camp on your actual excursion.

Constructing the Mosquito Net Framework

After you have attached the slip caps to the ends of each PVC piece, the tubes will be approximately 10 feet, 1 inch in length. At this point you will cut each tube into two roughly equal sized tubes, measuring 5 feet each. Take an additional 18 inches off of four of these tubes, so that you are left with four tubes measuring 3.5 feet in length and four tubes measuring 5 feet in length.

Setting Up the Net for Camp

When you have arrived at your destination, you will use the duct tape to attach each of the PVC tubes to the bedposts or bed corners. Ensure that you tape the longer tubes to the side of the bed that is closest to the center of your tent, so the smaller poles can stand next to the downward sloping outer sides. Finally, simply drape the mosquito netting across the poles, ensuring that the poles are not touching the tent itself. At this point, you may also want to tape the netting to three of the poles to ensure that it stays in place while you sleep.

Tags: will need, measuring feet, mosquito netting, slip caps, tubes measuring

What Put On Chigger Bites To Stop Itching

Chiggers thrive in the tall grasses of late summer.

Chiggers are a parasitic insect found in many parts of the United States and Europe. Close relative of ticks, only the larval stage of the organism's life cycle feeds on animal tissue. Contrary to popular belief, they do not burrow or suck blood. By the time they produce their characteristic red bumps, these microscopic mites are long gone. Chiggers bites can be prevented by applying sulfur- or DEET-based insect repellents to socks and pant legs before entering infested areas.

Hot Water

The easiest treatment for the itching produced by chigger bites is the application of very hot water to the affected area. Take care not to use water so hot that it burns the skin. By soaking the affected area in uncomfortably hot water or by submerging the area in hot, running water, the itching sensation will become extremely intense. After one or two minutes, the sensation will subside as the body releases all of its stored histamine. It is this chemical that produces the itching sensation. This remedy brings six to eight hours of total relief from itching without the use of any pharmaceutical drugs.

Hydrocortisone

Anti-itch creams containing hydrocortisone are frequently recommended to treat the itching and inflammation of chigger bites. Generic versions of these creams are available without a prescription at drug stores in the United States. The higher the percentage of hydrocortisone listed as an active ingredient in the cream, the more effective it will be in treating chigger bites.

Benzocaine

Benzocaine-containing creams are also available at drug stores without a doctor's prescription. These creams are best used if the itching is accompanied by mild pain, because they are effective at relieving pain as well. As with hydrocortisone creams, the higher the percentage of benzocaine in the product, the more effective it will be in controlling the discomfort produced by the bites.

Folk Remedies

Apple cider vinegar, baking soda, meat tenderizer, fingernail polish, camphor rub, Cool Mint Listerine, and arthritis creams containing capsaicin are all popular folk treatments for the itching and irritation of chigger bites. Of these remedies, only capsaicin creams appear to be pharmacologically active, working to reduce inflammation by promoting the release of the body's endogenous anti-inflammatory substance P. However, capsaicin creams can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation when applied to sensitive skin.

Tags: affected area, capsaicin creams, chigger bites, chigger bites, creams containing, drug stores

Butane Mosquito Repellent

Mosquito repellents come in many forms, including sprays, candles, torches and lamps. Sprays often contain propane or butane, but the newest use of butane in mosquito repellent products is in lamps using butane cartridges to produce heat. Does this Spark an idea?

Function

Mosquito repellent lamps use butane-powered heaters to release repellent chemicals from disposable mat inserts. Lamps contain almost 22 percent allethrin, the active ingredient and the same chemical found in mosquito coils.

Pros and Cons

Butane-powered lamps do not smoke like other spatial repellents, but do cost more, according to a 2009 report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An important factor adding to the cost of these lamps is the need to replace both the mat inserts and the butane cartridges.

Considerations

Butane mosquito repellent lamps work poorly in windy and rainy conditions. Consider lighting lamps 10 to 30 minutes before going outside, so they have time to take effect.

Tags: butane cartridges, mosquito repellent, repellent lamps

About Mosquito Bites

About Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes are common pests found mostly during the summer in areas with considerable standing water and following heavy rains. For reasons not well understood, men are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes, as are overweight people and those with type O blood. Most mosquito bites are just itchy annoyances, but serious illnesses can develop and spread.

Effects

A mild sting or prick may be noticed when a mosquito bites, but most bites go unnoticed until the mosquito has finished feeding and flown away. Within a few minutes, a small bump develops at the site, surrounded by a red patch that is usually around 1/2 inch in diameter. Itching may continue for two to 10 days, but try to avoid scratching since it can intensify the itch and sometimes lead to infection.

Prevention/Solution

Mosquito populations can be reduced by eliminating standing water in gutters, children's wading pools, birdbaths and other places. Using insect repellents that contain DEET or picaridin can help to prevent most bites, and clothing that covers as much skin as possible will offer additional protection. Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and evening; limiting time spent outdoors during these times can also greatly reduce the chance of being bitten. Many over-the-counter creams and lotions are available to relieve itching and swelling caused by mosquito bites; antihistamine tablets are also effective but may cause drowsiness.

Warning

Mosquitoes contribute greatly to the spread of several dangerous illnesses, including West Nile virus, malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever. Symptoms vary but often include a flu-like illness accompanied by nausea, vomiting, severe headache, rash, jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and sometimes confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms following a mosquito bite, consult your physician immediately.

Geography

Mosquitoes are present in most parts of the world, but the diseases they spread vary considerably from region to region. In the United States, West Nile virus is of the most concern. There have been cases of this disease throughout the entire U.S., but it occurs most frequently in California. Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes in the tropical areas of South America, Africa and Asia. This also occurs in portions of Australia, coastal areas of Mexico and in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Malaria is most common in tropical zones within South America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Cases of mosquito-borne malaria have also been reported in portions of Mexico.

Function

Mosquitoes bite humans and other mammals because it is necessary for the survival of their species. The female mosquito requires amino acids found in blood to produce eggs. They must drink blood each time they lay eggs; female mosquitoes produce several sets of about 250 eggs during their two- to three-week lifespan. Male mosquitoes do not consume blood; they subsist entirely on flower nectar.

Tags: mosquito bites, About Mosquito, About Mosquito Bites, Africa Asia, America Africa, America Africa Asia

Choose A Repellent

Protect your family from unwanted insect visitors.

Nothing ruins your weekend camping trip or your afternoon picnic like pesky mosquitoes and insects. That's why choosing the right repellent is so important. There are endless products on the market and they don't all work the same way, so it's important to understand a few things before choosing one.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Make a list of all the insects you expect to be in contact with, and may need protection from. Will you be staying near a lake or a dense forest? Every environment poses different issues, so do your research to know what you will be facing. This will help narrow down your repellent choices.

2. Look for the active ingredients that are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Two of the best-known chemical ingredients are DEET and Picaridin; pick a product with either of these two ingredients. If you are searching for an all-natural option, you can always choose oil of lemon eucalyptus.

3. Decide how long you'll be outside. Different repellents have different concentrations of active ingredients and, therefore, they have varying periods of effectiveness. If you are going to be spending the entire weekend outdoors, you will need different protection than if you are going on a 1-hour hike.

4. Check the concentration of the active ingredient on the label. The higher the concentration, the more potent is the repellent. Thus, there will be less need for constant reapplication. High concentrations are ideal for lengthy outdoor activity. If you are only planning on picnics and hikes, then you can choose a product with a lower concentration.

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Allnatural Homemade Mosquito Repellents

Repel mosquitoes with homemade repellents.

Although mosquito repellents made with DEET and Permethrin are effective, they cannot be applied directly to the skin without possible harm. Homemade repellents can be just as effective and less risky. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control states that oil of lemon eucalyptus has been proven to protect just as well as low concentrations of DEET. You can use oil of lemon eucalyptus as well as several other essential oils found to repel mosquitoes. Does this Spark an idea?

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

Pour 2 oz. of a carrier oil in a medicine cup or baby food jar. Carrier oil choices include olive, almond oil and jojoba oil. Drip in 10 drops of oil of lemon eucalyptus. Stir with a cotton swab or a coffee stirrer. Use cotton balls to soak up the homemade mosquito repellent and wipe over exposed skin for protection when outdoors.

Citronella

Citronella oil in the form of citronella candles repels insects, including mosquitoes, without causing them any harm, reports the Environmental Protection Agency. Make your own citronella mosquito repellent by pouring 4 oz. of distilled water into an empty spray bottle. Add 1 oz. of citronella essential oil to the spray bottle and shake to combine. Spray over exposed skin and clothing before going out of doors.

Alcohol-Based Repellent

Certain alcohols can be used in place of a carrier oil to create a homemade mosquito repellent rub for your skin. Pour 2 oz. of 190-proof alcohol in a medicine cup or baby food jar. Add 5 drops of rosemary essential oil, 5 drops of tea tree essential oil and 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the alcohol. Add two or three cotton balls after stirring to soak up the repellent. Wipe on exposed skin.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass and citronella both belong to the genus Cymbopogon and Poaceae family. Use lemongrass instead of citronella to repel mosquitoes. Pour 4 oz. of soybean oil in a spray bottle. Add 30 drops of lemongrass essential oil and 10 drops of basil essential oil. Shake the spray bottle to combine the oils. Spray over the skin when walking, hiking or playing outdoors.

Tags: spray bottle, essential drops, exposed skin, mosquito repellent, baby food, cotton balls, homemade mosquito

Do It Yourself Mosquito Mister

Mist pesky mosquitoes before they bite.

Blood-feeding mosquitoes were recently discovered to have additional sensors that detect human body odors. Even without the science, most people get irritated by buzzing, biting mosquitoes that can ruin your time outdoors when you are trying to enjoy the summer. Instead of using chemical-based repellents, which can be harmful when ingested, mix your own homemade repellent in a spray bottle and mist away the pesky pests. Don't let mosquitoes keep you indoors this summer. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Dice up a clove of garlic and add it to a spray bottle with 16 oz. of water and 1 tbsp. of cooking oil. Let the mix sit for at least two hours before spraying in areas with buzzing mosquitoes. Mosquitoes detest the smell of garlic.

2. Pour a cup of water into a clean spray bottle. Add 2 tbsp. of almond oil, 1 tbsp. of aloe vera gel and 25 drops of lemon balm essential oil. Mist it into the air to deter mosquitoes.

3. Mix other essential oils with water for a mosquito-chasing spray. Together with a cup of water add 2 tsp. or 3 tsp. of eucalyptus, thyme, sage, pine, rosemary, basil, fennel or lavender essential oils. If you want to apply this mix directly to your skin, don't use any water; instead add 1 tbsp. of olive, coconut or almond oil.

Tags: spray bottle, with water, essential oils

Signs & Symptoms Of The West Nile Flu

West Nile is not necessarily a serious virus, though it can be. West Nile virus is spread by a mosquito biting an infected bird and then later biting a human. Early to late fall is when the virus is spread the most. Once winter comes around, mosquitoes die, and the risk of getting infection dies with them.

No Symptoms

Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will experience no symptoms. This is called an asymptomatic infection. According to the CDC, "Most people, about 4 out of 5, who are infected with West Nile virus will not develop any type of illness. an asymptomatic infection, however you cannot know ahead of time if you'll get sick or not when infected."

Mild Symptoms

20% of people who are infected with West Nile will develop symptoms due to what is called "West Nile Fever." West Nile Fever is usually not serious and those infected will generally experience symptoms for three to six days. West Nile fever is very similar to other flues and viruses. It is important to see a physician when experience flu-like symptoms in case it is something more serious. Even though not everyone experiences serious symptoms when infected with West Nile fever, it is a possibility. The symptoms of West Nile Fever are the following: fever, headache, fatigue, skin rash, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, aches and pains, swollen lymph glands, lack of appetite, and a sore throat.

Serious Symptoms

West Nile Fever can turn into a more serious disease, such as West Nile encephalitis, West Nile Meningitis, or West Nile poliomyelitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, only 1% of those infected with West Nile virus will experience serious symptoms. These symptoms can be experienced for weeks. Some of the symptoms can be permanent or serious, so immediate medical attention is needed. Adults over the age of 50 are at the most risk for serious infections. Serious symptoms may include any of the following: headache, high fever, neck stiffness, confusion, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, or paralysis.

Tags: West Nile, with West Nile, infected with, infected with West, with West, Nile virus

Make Citronella Candles

Although the weather in the summer may be nice, the bugs usually are not. Mosquitoes can be especially pesky. In addition to spray-on insect repellents, citronella candles can provide reprieve from these aggressive, biting pests. Citronella candles can be very expensive, but you can experience the same effectiveness by making your own. Citronella candles are easily made with materials available at most craft stores and even some grocery stores. Protecting yourself while outside can be easy and affordable.

Instructions

1. Heat a sauce pan on the stove over medium heat. Heat for approximately 5 minutes.

2. Add wax block(s) to the heated pan. The number of blocks is determined by the size of the wax blocks, and size and number of candles you intend to make. Refer to the wax block's packaging to determine the number of blocks you need for your project.

3. Leave the burner on medium heat to melt the wax blocks. As the blocks are melting, stir in 1 oz. of citronella oil for each pound of wax.

4. Continue stirring occasionally until the wax is completely melted. Turn off heat but do not remove the pan until the mold and wick are prepared.

5. Remove the candle wick from packaging and trim the top to be approximately 4 inches longer than the candle mold's depth.

6. Spray candle mold(s) with non-stick cooking spray. This will ensure that your candle is easily removed once it has set.

7. Pour melted candle wax into the candle mold. Fill to about 1/4 inch below the rim of the mold.

8. Tie the wick tip to a pencil. Use the pencil to lower the wick into the center of the candle wax until it touches the bottom of the mold. Without removing from wax, adjust the wick so that the pencil can sit on the top of the mold to keep the wick from falling or bending.

9. Allow candle to cool completely and remove from mold. Trim wick to be 1/4 inch longer than candle.

Tags: candle mold, Citronella candles, longer than, longer than candle, medium heat

How Get Rid Of Small Black Biting Ants In My Garden

Get rid of black biting ants and enjoy gardening again.

Biting ants in the garden ruin your gardening experience. Not only do they chew on your vegetation, they also bite you, which makes tending to your garden a miserable experience. Using pesticides on your garden is a bit dangerous, particularly if you are growing vegetables. This leaves many gardeners wondering get rid of the little black bugs. A variety of techniques are available that are safe to use on your vegetation and effective against the insects. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth on the garden's soil. The ants eat and take the fossilized algae back to the queen. The product causes the ants to dehydrate and eventually die.

2. Harvest any vegetables as soon as they are ripe, as ants often flock to ripe crops. Remove any debris in your garden, as well as vegetables that are dead or overripe.

3. Sprinkle boric acid powder around the garden. Pay particular attention to corners and cracks in the garden, as ants often sneak underneath garden borders to get to vegetation. The powder sticks to the ants, which remove it from themselves using their mouths and ultimately die as a result. Alternately, mix ½ tsp. of boric acid with 1 tbsp. of peanut butter and place it in a small container that has a lid. Poke holes in the lid, and place the container in the garden on its side. The ants crawl in the holes, grab the bait, eat it and bring it back to the queen. Refill the container whenever the bait is gone.

4. Pour boiling water into ant hills or nests if you find them. The water may reach the queen, which causes the entire colony's demise.

5. Place sticky traps on the garden soil. The ants become stuck to the adhesive and stay put. Remove the traps when they are full, and continue to place them in the soil until the ants stop coming.

Tags: your garden, ants often, back queen, boric acid, garden soil, garden soil ants

Does Mint Kill Insects

DIfferent types of mint repel insect pests.

Although some insects and mites, such as mint aphids, mint flea beetles and two-spotted spider mites, love to eat mint, other insects want nothing to do with it. Knowing which type of mint to use to treat a particular type of insect helps you fight pests at home while avoiding toxic chemicals found in most pesticides and repellents. Does this Spark an idea?

Does Mint Kill Insects?

Mint does not actually kill insects. However, it attracts natural predators of insects you may be battling. Once attracted to your property, these predators eat the pests. Aphids, for example, like to eat tomato and pepper plants in vegetable gardens. Planting mint next to these vegetables attracts ladybugs and lacewings that eat aphids. As an added bonus, the mint imparts additional flavor to the vegetables it grows next to.

As a Repellent

Mint also works double duty on insects that invade your yard and home. In addition to attracting predators, mint repels other insects. For example, mint repels non-mint-eating aphids and adult flea beetles. It is also effective against flies, ants and cabbage white butterflies. If you have a pet in your home, mint is effective at repelling fleas, a common pet parasite.

Different Types of Mint

There are several types of mint to choose from when using mint as a repellent. The most common types are spearmint and peppermint. Both are effective at repelling fleas and other insects. However, other common plants are in the mint family. For example, pennyroyal repels fleas. Catnip, another type of mint, not only excites cats but also repels fleas, ants, beetles and aphids. Plant any of these types of mint in your garden or place them in small pots to grow inside your home. If you choose to grow mint outdoors, keep in mind it is an invasive plant that grows rapidly.

Homemade Recipes

Make your own homemade repellents to keep insects away. To make pennyroyal repellent, rub the plant or essential oils on your skin or your pet's collar. Be aware that pennyroyal may cause skin irritation. Test it first by rubbing the leaves or oil on a small area on the underside of your wrist to ensure you are not sensitive to the plant. Check the area 30 minutes, after application, for any signs of redness or rash. Crush any type of fresh mint leaves and place them in small sachets to repel flies, fleas or ants in the home. If you prefer not to use fresh mint, use mint teabags and place them around your home where you have pest problems.

Tags: other insects, place them, your home, Does Mint, Does Mint Kill, effective repelling, effective repelling fleas

About Organic Pesticides

About Organic Pesticides

Organic pesticides are compounds derived from plants, shrubs, and herbs. Many plants contain natural deterrents and fungicides to help them to remain healthy and disease free. Plant extracts can be powerful---their protective mechanisms have enabled plants to survive for thousands of years. Some farmers and gardeners have opted to use organic pesticides because they tend to be less harsh on existing vegetation than chemical pest killers. Organic pesticides tend to repel harmful bugs rather than kill them. Does this Spark an idea?

Garlic Based Sprays

Garlic is a powerful bug spray. Critters like red spiders try to avoid garlic because the smell bothers them. Red spiders like to eat plants, but if they smell garlic they will avoid the plant. Even planting garlic next to certain vegetables can help protect the vegetable plants. Tomatoes in particular are vulnerable to insects so spraying them with garlic water can provide a great deal of protection.

Organic Mosquito Repellent

Mosquitoes can be a real pain the neck, especially during the summer months. These blood sucking bugs love to be around vegetation and water sources of any kind, even chlorinated pools. The chlorine doesn't scare them off, but there are natural mosquito repellents that can keep these insects away. An effective organic mosquito repellent is made from black pepper, garlic, herbs and other oils. (See resources below on where to buy Organic Mosquito repellent.)

Neem Derived Organic Insecticide

Neem also called Azadirachta indica, is one of the most powerful herbs you can find. Neem is a natural antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic agent. This plant has been used for thousands of years to treat skin conditions and cure ailments. Neem is a popular natural organic pesticide. In ancient days neem leaves were kept with food and clothing to protect them from hungry insects.

Neem is edible and it can also be used to treat internal conditions, but it should always be used with caution because it is very strong. Small children and pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid ingesting neem because it can cause a child to go into a coma. However, using neem externally or as an organic pesticide is perfectly safe.

Make Your Own Neem Pesticide

Neem pest repellent can be purchased online and at some stores. You can also make your own. Buy an empty spray bottle and some pure neem oil. Fill the bottle with distilled water and 4 oz. or more of neem oil, depending on how strong you would like to make the insecticide. Be aware that the smell can be very strong.

Cautions

Even though organic pesticides are safer than chemical ones, you still need to use caution. Even natural things can be toxic in high doses. Keep all pesticides out of a child's reach. Store pesticides high up in a cool dry place and use only a small amount of the solution at a time because a little bit goes a long way.

Tags: About Organic, About Organic Pesticides, organic pesticide, organic pesticides, Organic pesticides, than chemical

Breed Aedes Mosquitoes

The female mosquito needs blood to nourish her young.

The Aedes mosquito can spread dengue fever, Chikungunya and yellow fever. Dengue fever is often called "Bone break" fever because of the pain caused. Chikungunya is translated as "that which bends up," a condition caused by the cramping and arthritic symptoms of the disease. Each of these illnesses can cause life-threatening complications. Since the Aedes mosquito is one of the few known to breed in even clean water conditions, it is also the easiest to breed. Scientists breed these mosquitoes for the purpose of finding a reasonably safe way to eliminate them and prevent the spread of these diseases.

Instructions

Breeding Aedes For Conducting Experiments

1. Provide an area of damp soil inside a net-enclosed container. The netting has to be fine and in a suitable frame that does not allow sagging which could create an escape route for the insects. Unlike many species of mosquito, the Aedes lays it's eggs in dampened soil, not directly floating on the water's surface. The eggs, which can lay dormant for up to nine months, are 'activated' when the area floods. The soil these eggs are laid in is close enough to water that flooding is likely. The versatility of the substrate these eggs can hatch in means that the Aedes can lay their eggs close to clean water sources as well as the dirty stagnant waters. The eggs hatch into larvae 48 hours after being 'activated.'

2. Provide organic matter for the larvae to feed on. This matter can be decaying plant materials, fish feces and blood, or any other organic matter. The Aedes mosquito molts, or sheds its skin, four times and then enters the pupa stage.

3. Isolate the container and unit with the pupa and leave them alone for a period of two days. The pupal stage is when the mosquito is being formed inside a shell. The adult mosquito emerges after the pupal shell splits. It is at this point that the adult Aedes rests on the surface of the water waiting for its wings to dry and be ready to fly.

4. Feed the adult females with blood in containers that can be easily slipped in and out of the sealed container without releasing the mosquitos. Unlike other mosquitos, the Aedes feed during the daylight and not at night. Their bite is known to be some of the more painful of all species of mosquitoes.

Breeding Aedes Mosquitoes through Neglect

5. Leave bird baths, pet bowls and vases half filled with water without daily cleaning them out. Air conditioning condenser trays are also excellent sources for new mosquito larva and these are rarely cleaned or checked thoroughly.

6. Avoid using sand granular insecticides in any areas which trap water including gutters, ponds, vases, tires and air conditioning condenser trays. Doing so can kill the eggs, larvae and pupa and in many cases the adults that emerge from the pupal stage. Some of these insecticides are found in floating form which disperses the chemical over the top of the water killing not just the Aedes, but also many other species of mosquito as well.

7. Remove covers from garbage cans, barrels and gully traps. Covers prevent the female mosquito from accessing the water and laying her eggs.

8. Pack the potting soil in your outdoor plants tightly so that just enough water remains on the surface to help hatch the eggs. The fertilizer in the soils act as a perfect substrate, offering a female Aedes the ideal neighborhood for her children. Do not attempt to aerate the soil by loosening the soil to allow the water to absorb deep into the potted soil.

Tags: Aedes mosquito, Aedes Mosquitoes, Breeding Aedes, clean water, condenser trays, conditioning condenser, conditioning condenser trays

Install A Sliding Gate Rail On Concrete

A sliding gate needs a track for the wheels as the gate opens and closes. Otherwise, the gate would go out of square and get jammed and could not be opened and closed. The gate rail is a piece of angle steel welded to a piece of flat-plate steel that the wheels run along. Before installing the gate rail to the concrete, a suitable primer should be applied to the bottom of the rail to keep it from rusting. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Place the sliding gate rail in place and check that it is in the correct position. Mark the gate rail location on the concrete so that it can be put back in the correct location.

2. Drill through the flat steel plate of the gate rail about 16 inches apart along the rail's length. Use a steel drill bit that's the correct size for your concrete anchors. The gate rail will take a lot of abuse from cars driving over it, so use 5/8-inch concrete sleeves at a minimum.

3. Place the steel gate rail back into position on the concrete. Mark the location of each hole where the gate rail will be anchored to the concrete. Use a black permanent marker to indicate the inside of the hole onto the concrete.

4. Prepare a concrete drill bit for the size anchor you are using into a hammer drill. Place a piece of painter's tape on the drill bit to indicate the depth needed to secure the anchor. This should be the length of the concrete anchor and the thickness of the steel plate plus an additional 3/8 inch.

5. Drill the holes for the concrete anchor with the hammer drill. Keep the drill bit running straight as you drill. Blow out the holes of any concrete dust after you have drilled all the holes. Use a can of compressed air for this.

6. Tap the concrete anchors into the holes you drilled into the concrete. Check that the anchors are in the right direction.

7. Secure the gate rail to the concrete, using a socket wrench to tighten the bolt and lock washers down to the concrete anchors.

Tags: gate rail, concrete anchors, concrete anchor, gate rail, gate rail concrete

Do Mosquitoes Die In The Winter

Mosquitoes cannot function during the cold of winter.

Mosquitoes are hardy insects but cannot function in cold temperatures. Although most types of mosquitoes die during the winter, some enter hibernation to survive the cold. It is not uncommon to find some in homes during the winter. In warm environments, mosquitoes are active year-round.

Mosquitoes and Temperature

Mosquitoes function best at temperatures of 80 degrees and above, which is why they tend to the most active during midsummer. When the temperature drops to 60 degrees, mosquitoes become lethargic and less likely to bite. At temperatures below 50 degrees, mosquitoes become totally unable to function. At this point, they either enter hibernation or die.

Short Lifespan Mosquitoes

Most species of mosquitoes live only two to three weeks as adults. Some varieties can live a little longer if environmental conditions are favorable. However, these kinds of mosquitoes generally die with the onset of winter. To perpetuate their life cycle, they lay winter-hardy eggs that hatch during the spring.

Long Lifespan Mosquitoes

A few species of mosquitoes live for up to a year. This variety of mosquito is able to exist in arctic regions. During the winter months, they enter a state of extreme torpor, which is sometimes referred to as hibernation. The females mate in the fall, enter hibernation and awake to lay their eggs in the spring.

Winter Habitat

Mosquitoes with short lifespans lay their winter-hardy eggs in stagnant water that becomes frozen during the winter. As the ice melts and the temperature rises, the eggs hatch. Long lifespan mosquitoes take up residency in animal burrows, hollow logs and warm basements (or homes) before entering hibernation.

Tags: enter hibernation, cannot function, degrees mosquitoes, degrees mosquitoes become, during winter, Lifespan Mosquitoes

About Fly Eggs

About Fly Eggs

When you own a horse, pony or donkey, you also declare war against flies and fly eggs. Many species of flies are not only annoying to horses and their grooms, but also spread disease and internal parasites that can get a horse very sick. Taking preventive care by daily grooming and taking care of the manure pile will also cut down on flies and their potential to harm your animals.

Types

There are three main types of fly eggs to worry about. The first and most common type are flies that lay their eggs in manure. Types of flies that do this include stable flies, house flies, black flies and horn flies. The manure acts as food for the developing maggot. The second type are bot fly eggs, which are laid directly onto the host animal's legs. The animal licks them off, swallows them and the larvae develop inside of the horse's digestive organs, causing great internal damage. The third type are flies who lay their eggs into water for them to develop into flies that bite horses. These include deer flies and horse flies.

Prevention/Solution

Fly eggs that live in manure need the moisture in the manure in order to develop. By breaking up the manure and spreading it in the sun, the fly eggs are exposed and dry out. Bot eggs need to be taken off your animal's legs with a bot knife. Areas of standing, stagnant water need to be removed to cut down on places where horse or deer flies can lay their eggs.

Warning

Although working to eradicate fly eggs is important in stable management, sometimes this won't be enough to get rid of flies. You need to keep worming your horse regularly to kill off any internal parasites the flies can transmit through their bites or their eggs. You will also need to use fly repellents to keep away adult flies from your animals.

Bot Fly Eggs

Female bot flies look like tiny bees without mouths. They can lay 100 to 300 eggs in their short life of a few weeks. The eggs are laid in summer to early autumn. The bot fly eggs look like little orange or tan specks that will not come off your horse's legs by means of regular brushing. The warmth of a horse licking his legs stimulates the eggs to hatch into larvae. You can use warm water to make the sticky eggs hatch and then remove the larvae, but usually you need to use a razor, bot knife or bot scraper to remove the eggs. The eggs must be disposed of or they may somehow get accidentally swallowed by your horse (see Resources below).

Potential

Another stable management technique for combating flies is to release fly predators in the stable area. These predators lay their eggs in the fly eggs inside of manure. There isn't a fly predator for bot flies, though (see Resources below).

Tags: their eggs, flies that, flies their, your horse, About Eggs, animal legs

Adverse Physical Effects From Chemicals

Hazardous chemicals are in many places of employment.

Chemicals in various forms -- powder, liquid and gas -- are frequently used in the workplace. Proper procedures must be followed, because these chemicals can have significant adverse effects on the people handling them. The amount of damage that occurs depends on the length of exposure to the chemical. There are several different areas of the body that are affected by exposure to corrosive chemicals.

Respiratory System

Inhalation of gaseous chemicals causes damage to the trachea and lungs. Mild damage causes irritation to the respiratory system -- discomfort and coughing -- that resolves with exposure to fresh air. Prolonged exposure worsens damage, progressing to chest pain, breathing difficulties, pulmonary edema (fluid backup in the lungs) and eventual death. Call emergency services for any symptoms beyond irritation. Gaseous chemicals should be used in well-ventilated areas.

Integumentary System

The integumentary system is composed of the largest organ in the human body -- the skin. Chemical damage to the skin is common, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is important. Integumentary system damage causes redness, peeling of the skin or various degrees of burns. When contact occurs, flush the skin for at least 15 minutes with water and remove any clothing over the burned area. Contact emergency services for follow-up medical intervention.

Visual System

Corrosive chemicals can cause serious damage to the eyes. Limited exposure causes pain, tearing and redness, while more extensive exposure can cause blindness. Immediately flush the eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Hold the eyes open and look in different directions to clean all eye surfaces. Seek medical attention for any eye exposure to chemicals -- damage can be delayed.

Digestive System

The digestive system -- throat, esophagus, stomach and intestines -- can be a significantly damaged if chemicals are ingested. Burns occur in the mouth and along the digestive tract. Pain is severe, and vomiting and diarrhea might occur as well. This exposure can be life-threatening and immediate medical attention should be sought. Do not eat or drink anything after ingesting chemicals.

Tags: damage causes, emergency services, least minutes, medical attention, with water

Homemade Natural Mosquito Repellent

Lemons contain a natural mosquito repelling compound.

Not only are mosquito bites itchy and irritating, but also they can spread potentially serious diseases like the West Nile virus. If you dislike using harsh chemicals as much as you dislike scratching at mosquito bites, create your own home natural mosquito repellents to protect you, your family and your pets. Does this Spark an idea?

Natural Repellents

Natural repellents that are effective against mosquitoes include rose geranium plants and citrus oils. Rose geranium plants have a long history of use in South Africa as protection against mosquitoes. When bruised, rose geranium leaves and flowers emit a pungent odor that drives the insects away. Citrus oils contain a compound called d-limonene. D-limonene is a natural insect repellent and is effective against mosquitoes, fleas and other bugs.

Creation

To use rose geranium as a natural mosquito repellent, either use rose geranium plants in your home's landscaping, or purchase rose geranium oil at health food and aromatherapy shops. Add a few drops of rose geranium oil to a spray bottle full of water to create your own homemade mosquito spray. For a d-limonene-based repellent, cut up three lemons or oranges, then pour a pint of boiling water over them. Let the water cool and strain it into a spray bottle. The water is infused with citrus oils and repels insects.

Application

Make your pet a mosquito repellent collar by placing a few drops of rose geranium oil on a fabric collar. Add more oil every two weeks to keep the scent strong and able to deter insects. Spray the rose geranium mixture in the spray bottle on clothing and skin before heading outdoors to keep mosquitoes away. If you plant rose geraniums, pluck a few leaves, crush them and rub them and their juice on your skin for a natural repellent. Bruise leaves still on the plants to keep mosquitoes out of your yard. The citrus oil mixture can be sprayed onto clothing and onto skin. You can spritz a dog with it to protect it from mosquitoes, but avoid using it on cats because citrus oils can make them ill.

Considerations

When applying a citrus oil-based mosquito repellent to your skin, wear long sleeves and sunscreen if you plan to be outside. Citrus oils will make your skin more photosensitive, putting you at a greater risk for sunburn. Essential oils lose their potency over time, so do not store batches of homemade mosquito repellent for more than a few weeks. After that, discard them and create a new batch.

Tags: rose geranium, against mosquitoes, geranium plants, mosquito repellent, natural mosquito