
From DAYSPA Body Basics:
No Bugs Mist is an all natural insect repellant that is harmless to children, pets, and the environment and it smells really good (at least we think so). It's perfect for picnics and barbecues because it's safe around food. You'll love it for gardening, hiking, and all outdoor activities. In summer's heat, you'll appreciate the light, cooling, witch hazel and water based mist. A natural alternative to DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), a powerful insecticide found in over 400 repellents. DEET can peel paint, damage rayon and spandex, and melt plastic. Up to 56 percent of DEET applied to the skin enters the bloodstream, and reactions to it include skin rashes, lethargy, muscle spasms, nausea, and irritability.
Active ingredients: Lemon eucalyptus, citronella, and catnip essential oils, and neem oil. Other ingredients: distilled water, witch hazel, castor oil, essential oil blend, and polysorbate 20 (emulsifier derived from coconuts).
Size: 4 fl oz (120 ml)
Coming from experience, under the harshest conditions (we live in Montana), nothing seems to help. For those situations, we suggest protective gear. Mosquitoes have complex methods of detecting hosts and different types of mosquitoes react to different stimuli. Most mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, but there are also mosquitoes that seek hosts during the day. You can avoid being bitten by making sure you aren't attracting mosquitoes, using attractants to lure mosquitoes elsewhere, using No Bugs Mist, and avoiding actions that diminish the effectiveness of the repellent.
Mosquito Attractants
Use this list of items and activities that attract mosquitoes as a list of things to avoid or that can be used as bait to lure mosquitoes away from you.
- Dark Clothing Many mosquitoes use vision to locate hosts from a distance. Dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants.
- Carbon Dioxide You give off more carbon dioxide when you are hot or have been exercising. A burning candle or other fire is another source of carbon dioxide.
- Lactic Acid - You release more lactic acid when you have been exercising or after eating certain foods (e.g., salty foods, high-potassium foods).
- Floral or Fruity Fragrances - In addition to perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, watch for the subtle floral fragrance from fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
- Skin Temperature - The exact temperature depends on the type of mosquito. Many mosquitoes are attracted to the slightly cooler temperatures of the extremities.
- Mosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around your body. Even small amounts of water (e.g., moist plants or mud puddles) will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce.
For ticks, tuck your pant legs into your socks and seal the tops of the socks with duct tape. Ticks trying to crawl through to your skin will get stuck on the tape before they can bite you. Keep another strip of tape handy to lift off the ticks as you spot them on your skin and clothing.Ticks take some time to attach themselves to you. After an outing, thoroughly inspect your body. A hand mirror and/or a close friend can help. Remove ticks with duct tape if possible or use a tweezers to pull them out gently. Take care not to squeeze their bodies too hard because you want to prevent their innards from entering your bloodstream through their mouths.
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