Protective suits can be made out of mosquito netting.
Mosquito bites can not only be an irritation but can also pose a major health risk. In some parts of the world, mosquitoes can spread malaria, a potentially deadly virus. Malaria is much less likely in the U.S. but mosquitoes can spread a number of other viruses, such as encephalitis, from person to person.
Mosquito Netting
Commonly used in hot regions like Africa or while camping in areas with large populations of mosquitoes, netting is an effective repellent for bites. It does not drive the insects away, but it does keep them from reaching the person to bite. Mosquito netting is fine mesh material generally made of polyester which is used to create a mosquito-free area. It is hung from the ceiling of a bedroom or tent and draped down to the floor. The netting should not touch the skin as mosquitoes can bite through it.
Natural Home Made Repellents
Mosquito repellents can be made at home using concentrated natural essential oils. Extracts of citronella, lavender, penny royal and rose geranium are strong insect repellents. Mixing one of the extracts in a scent-neutral liquid soap and washing just before going outside offers some protection. A repellent can also be made with the oils, vegetable oil and aloe vera gel. This is mixed together and dabbed on the skin or clothes to deter mosquitoes.
Commercial Repellents
When the summer hits, the shelves are filled with a wide array of sprays, wipes, lotions and foams all designed to deter biting insects. Some are based on natural oil extracts, while others use the chemical N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, better known as DEET. These products are usually applied to any exposed skin and vary in effectiveness and length of protection time. The length of time a repellent is effective is known as the CPT, or complete protection time.
Insect Traps
Spending time on the deck in the evening can be ruined by biting insects, so certain traps can be used to kill off the problem. Zapper traps use UV light to attract the insects away from people and kill them using an electric field produced around the bulb. Tests by Florida University have shown that the zappers do attract more insects into the garden than normal in the process. Carbon dioxide traps are also effective at attracting and killing insects in outdoor situations.
Tags: biting insects, insects away, mosquitoes spread, protection time