Mosquitoes: They’re back and stopping in for a bite
How to repel mosquitos and keep you off the menu
Across the globe, you’ll hear them called gallinippers, mossies, and snipes. They buzz incessantly in your ear, and their bite leaves itchy bumps. If you haven’t guessed, we are, of course, talking about mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are not just aggravating; their bites can transmit serious illnesses. That’s why understanding their behaviour and taking effective measures to protect ourselves is crucial.
A typical mosquito myth is that they feed on blood. However, they get nourishment from plant nectar and only require blood to produce eggs. One female mosquito can lay between 50 and 200 eggs simultaneously, depending on the species and conditions, and she can do this up to ten times during her lifespan. That's potentially up to 2,000 of her offspring buzzing around from one source. So, how do you avoid becoming a snack at their family reunions?
Remove or cover any standing water to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs (Getty Images/stock image)
The first step is to remove or cover any accessible standing or slow-moving water around your home. Stagnant water attracts mosquitoes because they lay their eggs in it. Drain water collecting in the saucers at the bottom of planters and refresh bird baths often. Eavestroughs and gutters should be cleared so they drain efficiently. After a rainfall, empty water from children’s toys, tarps, rain barrels, and low-lying ground. Cutting the water source for breeding will lower the number of future mosquitoes coming from your yard.
Canada’s climate is a haven for mosquitoes. Females hibernate in the winter and surface in the spring to feed on blood to start the next generation. This is why jumping on your mosquito prevention game plan now is essential. As the temperature rises, so does their metabolism, which means more raids on your backyard, campsite, or picnic. Mosquitoes dehydrate quickly, which is why they are noticeably active when humidity is high and the sun is not in full force.
Thermacell's E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller (The Weather Network)
That is why a better defence is the best way to defeat a mosquito’s good offence. Thermacell offers that defence in all its products, including its E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller. The device works like a diffuser, using heat to vaporize small amounts of mosquito repellent into the air to create a 20-foot (6-metre) defence zone to repel mosquitoes. Thermacell products are high calibre in the fight against mosquitoes. They are thoroughly tested, effective, odourless, and compact enough to accompany you wherever you can relax outdoors.
Thermacell E55 is backed by definitive research, and when paired with controlling standing water, it offers the best solution to ensure you can enjoy the outdoors with fewer gallinippers, mossies, and snipes chasing you back inside.
(Header image courtesy of Getty Images/stock photo)
