As we have uncovered some facts about mosquito bites and its detrimental effects, it’s now the question of how to be more careful.
As the old saying goes “prevention is better than cure”.
Mosquitoes remains a real threat in our environment. Night biting mosquitoes in particular, risk attacking us in our sleep leaving little or no trace behind. It is hence our individual and collective responsibility to adopt necessary precautionary measures to protect ourselves from this disease.
We recommend a few simple tips to protect ourselves and our loved ones. There are three broad angles of protection to consider. They include regular daily protection, protection when travelling and protection during pregnancy.
We will look at broad methods of protection that can be adopted at any time.
Sleep safe
It may sound rather old fashioned for modern living. Yet, it works. Protect yourself from mosquito bites by sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net. Not only does it protect you from the bite of a mosquito, it also prevents the entry of other harmful insects and diseases that they may carry.
A key factor besides the area required to cover your sleeping space is the material and mesh size. Chose a material that allows ventilation balanced with protection. A mesh size of at least 1.2 mm is required to prevent mosquitoes from entering the net.
Regular maintenance of the net is essential for its sustainability. The insecticide coating may wear off over time and environmental factors may cause wear and tear. Tears in particular should be of particular attention as this is an easy gateway for mosquitoes to enter the net.
Protect your skin
We spoke about the application of sunscreen and protection from UV rays earlier. Here is another factor to account for when buying skin creams. Look out for skin creams that come with an insect repellent. It saves you from investing in two separate creams and does all the work in protecting your skin from harm. If you find the smell of such cream overwhelming, you may chose something scented to cover up the odour.
If such creams are not available, you should invest in a good insect repellent. Insect repellents are available as creams or sprays. To be effective, insect repellents should be applied above other skin creams.
You can also apply it sparingly over areas of exposed skin but not on cuts, sores, wounds or other allergies. If you would like to try natural ideas, some scented oils such as lemon grass oil have also been known to wear off mosquitoes.
Clear breeding grounds
Mosquitoes love to breed amongst plants and in environments where water collects. At home, you can do your part by avoiding and keeping such areas clean.
Most mosquitoes lay their eggs where water collects. Some examples include plant pot dishes that collect excessive water when you water plants. Other favourite spots are the drains, behind air conditioner vents and barbecue pits. It would be a good idea to do a thorough cleaning of the pit before lighting the fire.
Mosquito borne diseases are caused by a number of environmental factors that we often overlook. By taking some simple precautions to protect ourselves and our environment, we can minimise the risk of this disease.
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