Mosquitoes are clever little suckers that, much like vampires, don’t like bright sunlight and only come out at dusk to feast on human blood.
They are a bane of the sunset BBQ and, if you don’t take precautions, you can find yourself a mosquito magnet and getting bitten all over.
Like many blood-sucking flying insects, mosquitoes are attracted by CO2 that we exhale, by the body heat we give off and the lactic acid we expel through our skin. The best way to avoid bites is to cover up exposed skin with long sleeves and long pants. But if it’s the middle of summer, wearing a lot of clothing isn’t going to be a very comfortable option.
A good method of defense is to apply insect repellents that contain active ingredients such as DEET or Picaridin. A spray type repellent can also be useful to apply the repellent to outer clothing or a cap. If you are concerned about using insect repellents, then wash it off your skin as soon as you come inside and wash treated clothing.
There are also plenty of natural essential oil mosquito repellents to rub on your skin including:
lavender oil.- lemon eucalyptus oil.
- cinnamon oil.
- thyme oil.
- catnip oil.
- soybean oil.
These oils are plant-based, but it’s best not to use them in high concentrations. They should be diluted with other ingredients or water. Baby oil can also work as the insects stick when they land and can’t get a grip.
Although natural and conventional repellents work to deter mosquitoes for adults, they may not be appropriate for young children. If you have children that are allergic to mozzie bites, but you don’t want to use DEET on them, then a citronella infused wristband could be something to try. Another alternative remedy that may work for some people is to take Vitamin B1 tablets which some people say repel mozzies.
Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin that is safely expelled through the skin in sweat and oil, and which apparently mosquitoes don’t like the smell of. It depends on the individual but recommended doses range from a 100 mg to 500 mg. The only downside is that it makes you smell a little like a bottle of vitamins, and it may not work for some people.
Here are some more tips for defending against mosquitoes when having a BBQ:
- Enclose the area where you’re having your party with mosquito netting, the top and all four sides if possible.
- Bring out a fan to blow away the CO2, which attracts mozzies.
- Plant mozzie repellent plants such as basil, rosemary, lavender and catnip.
- Trim back excess vegetation and mow laws.
- Remove or drain all free standing water, e.g. birdbaths, buckets and plant pots.
- If you have a pond, add some fish to eat the mosquito larvae.
