Gall-Dripping Tiny Buzzer
Mosquitoes are the bane of outdoor life in Canada, and many areas also have ticks that carry Lyme disease. We can be thankful we don’t have the tropical insects that carry many diseases, but mosquitoes in Canada transmit West Nile.
Just Deet It
When there is a high risk that a mosquito will bite you, you should wear insect repellent. The most effective repellent is made with Deet. Deet has been used about 8 billion times since it was introduced in 1946. It keeps mosquitoes from biting. Deet makes you smell unattractive to bugs. The 30% Deet is the strongest you need and the most effective. Spray not just exposed skin but also clothing, as mosquitoes can bite through tight clothes. Dark colors and perfume attract mosquitoes, so avoid those if you are going to be in a mosquito area.
Don’t Be a Deet Dolt
Don’t allow young children to use Deet alone, and don’t use it at all on children under 2. Don’t spray on your face, spray on your hands and apply to your face, and avoid eyes, nose, and mouth. Wash your hands before you eat. At the end of the day, wash your clothes and shower to remove any remaining Deet. If you follow the directions, Deet is safe, but don’t drink it or spray it around food. Like many lotions, it is safe on skin, but it is not safe to drink. It breaks down quickly in sunlight and in water, so it doesn’t persist in the environment.
Insect Zapping Clothes
There is also an insect repellent that can be applied to clothing and lasts up to 70 washes. It is based on a compound in chrysanthemum flowers. These flowers naturally repel and even kill insects. Unlike Deet, it does not keep mosquitoes from landing, but it kills them if they do. Long used by both the Canadian and US military on uniforms, it is safe for clothes (not directly for skin) and should be used together with Deet. Although Health Canada recommends it for travelers abroad, it is not for sale in Canada, but is available in the US. Pre-treated clothing is also available in the US. If you spend lots of time outdoors with the dirty buzzers and you make trips to the US, it might be worth picking up a shirt treated with permethrin or some permethrin to treat your clothes.
Dang Buzzers
In a perfect world, insects wouldn’t bite and spread disease. And if a mosquito and tick bites were only annoying and not potentially dangerous, it might make sense to take your chances. But in the last four years, West Nile and Lyme Disease have been increasing. Repel insects to protect yourself.
