130. Declare War on Mosquitoes

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2 mins read
Declare War on Mosquitoes

Is there anyone else out there who is absolutely covered with mosquito bites? When I decided to do some gardening last week, little did I know there was a party going on in my yard. It was Mosquito Happy Hour and I was the special on tap. I survived this mosquito feeding frenzy, but now I’m itchy, mad and on a mission!

Declare War on Mosquitoes

I counted and I’m covered with over fifty bites and they’re driving me buggy so I decided to do a little research.  I took a quick look at the Illinois Department of Public Health website and pulled a few tips they’re recommending to reduce the mosquito population locally.

  • Remove or empty water in old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles or other places where mosquitoes might breed. Be sure to check clogged gutters and flat roofs that may have poor drainage. Make sure cisterns, cesspools, septic tanks, fire barrels, rain barrels and trash containers are covered tightly with a lid or with 16-mesh screen.  (Cleaned and sanitized the garbage bins this weekend)
  • Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use. Unused swimming pools should be covered or drained during the mosquito season.  (The baby pool is dry, stored and upside down)
  • Change the water in bird baths and plant pots or drip trays at least once each week.  (The empty planters that were on my patio are now clean, dry and put away in the garage)
  • Level the ground around your home so water can run off and not collect in low spots. Fill in holes or depressions near your home that accumulate water.  (Just gave my husband Bill a new job to do ;))
  • Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water. (Also on Bill’s list!)
  • If you have an ornamental water garden, stock it with mosquito-eating fish (e.g., minnows, “mosquito fish,” or goldfish). They eat mosquito larvae.  (No Koi Pond here)
  • Keep weeds and tall grass cut short; adult mosquitoes look for these shady places to rest during the hot daylight hours.  (Not anymore in my back yard!)

For more advice on how to combat mosquitos, you’ll find the IDPH’s full list of tips by clicking HERE.  Now for my other problem.  How do I make my fifty mosquito bites stop itching?  I found a handy website called TipNut.com.  Here are some of their recommendations:

  • Rub a bar of soap over the itch.
  • Place a piece of scotch tape on the bite; or dab rubbing alcohol or ammonia on the bite first then stick on a piece of tape.
  • Hot water: Take a hot shower, or a hot bath, or apply a hot compress. As hot as you can stand it without burning you.
  • Ice cube, ice pack or very cold water
  • Dab with Nail polish, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Vinegar or Rubbing Alcohol
  • Baking Soda and water
  • Crushed Tums tablets
  • Calamine Lotion, Benadryl Cream, Vicks VapoRub or Preparation H
  • Lemon Juice, Lime Juice or Banana Peel

You’ll find the full list of mosquito relief remedies offered by TipNut by clicking HERE.  If you have any tried and true remedies for mosquito bite itch relief or tips to drive them away, please share them here.  Taking back the yard is at the top of my list!

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