Summer is mosquito season, and mosquitos sure do love Nashville. While mosquito bites are mostly just annoying, they can carry disease. West Nile Virus was found in a Madison mosquito pool in May, and while no human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Nashville this season, it’s smart to stay safe. However, pesticides are harmful to all bugs, like bumblebees and butterflies, so it’s better to use prevention measures that specifically target mosquitos.
Mosquitos are pollinators! Their primary food source is plant nectar. Only while laying eggs do females seek out blood. Mosquitoes are also protein sources for hummingbirds, bats, dragonflies, and other animals. While important, protecting your home from mosquitos won’t cause lasting environmental harm, as long as you avoid pesticides.
- Empty any standing water in your yard — from buckets, tires, trash cans, etc. — and if you have a bird bath, change out the water regularly.
- Make sure screen doors and windows are in good condition, and cover gaps in your home’s walls or doors to prevent mosquitos from getting inside.
- Use EPA-registered mosquito repellents when outside for long periods, particularly ones with DEET or picaridin.
- Consider purchasing a Thermacell device, which wards off skeeters with a scent-free repellant that’s safe for humans, pets, and other critters.
- Replace outdoor lighting with yellow “bug” lights to attract fewer mosquitoes.
- Wear lighter clothes; dark colors attract mosquitos. While difficult in this heat, long-sleeved shirts and pants limit the amount of skin mosquitos can bite. Tucking shirts into pants and pants into socks can help, too.
Mosquito dunks are inexpensive, and a great way to target mosquitos while letting other critters be. Nashville’s own Joanna Brichetto coined the term Mosquito Bucket of Doom, which kills mosquitos in the larval stage. Here’s how to make one.
- Step 1: Remove all standing water from your yard. You want the bucket to be the most attractive place for mosquitoes to lay eggs.
- Step 2: Fill a bucket halfway up with water.
- Step 3: Add a handful of grass so it smells yummy.
- Step 4: Add a stick as an escape root for other critters that might fall in.
- Step 5: Add ¼ of BTi mosquito dunk once per month. You can find this at local garden stores.
Keep the bucket where mosquitos frequent, a shady spot that doesn’t get a lot of wind.
People with immune disorders and children tend to have worse reactions to mosquito bites, and about 20% of people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others, though scientists are still trying to figure out why. Here are some tips for treating mosquito bites. Go to a doctor if you have a high fever, severe headache, and body aches.
- Avoid scratching bites, which can lead to infection.
- Wash the bite with soap and water.
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and itching.
- Make a baking powder and water paste and put it on the bite for 10 minutes.
- Take an antihistamine if you tend to have a bad reaction to bites.
- Witch hazel can help reduce itching.
