Field Trip Handy Info Sheet Beating the Bugs please feel free to add to this list....mary
Beating the BUGs
mosquitoes, biting flies, blackflies, horseflies, biting midges, and ticks are most active at dawn or dusk
all thrive on blood - particularly the females because they need a blood meal to reproduce
sunlight and light breezes deter swarming & biting bugs
wasps, hornets, honeybees, and bumblebees sting (vs bite)
should one land on you, best thing to do is wait for it to fly off
(rather than swat it away) (extremely hard to react this way)
to help keep ticks away from your bare skin, tuck your shirt in, pull socks over your pant legs, and wear a hat - on light clothing, you can more easily see ticks
avoid wearing dark-colored clothing
wear light-coloured clothing (white, khaki, or green) clothing
bugs can be attracted by bright colours
bugs can also be attracted - depending on the scent - by perfumes and deodorants
wear long-sleeved shirts, full-length pants, and closed shoes.
The most successful repellants mask CO2 and lactose emissions given off by people.
Health Canada: Choosing and using a commercial insect repellent
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/product-safety-securite-produits/pest-control-products-produits-antiparasitaires/pesticides/about-au-sujet/insect_repellents-insectifuges-eng.php How to make homemade bug spray (cools you down as well) - What you’ll need:
1) Water
2) Witch Hazel - optional - also cooling and anti-inflammatory
3) 2 choices & you can combine them
a) maximum 30 drops of essential oils: tea tree, lavender, citronella, clove, lemongrass, rosemary, eucalyptus, mint, vanilla (oil or extract) - please do not under any circumstances, apply any of the other essential oils directly to the skin - they must be diluted; or
b) Avon’s Skin So Soft (original herbal scent) - can be combined with essential oils or used by itself or directly on your skin (without water)
Instructions:
1) Fill a spray bottle (8 oz size is easy to store & carry + fill up later) 1/2 full with cool water.
2) Add the essential oil or oils.
3) Fill up the rest of the spray bottle with Witch Hazel or water.
Spray it on yourself, on your clothing, and inside your car, tent, etc.
Neem oil - wonderful for your skin - smells garlicky when you first apply it.
Some treatments:
treat stings with running cold water
apply vinegar with a cold compress & ice (stings are alkaline, vinegar is slightly acidic)
a wasp sting is more likely to cause an anaphylactic reaction (vs bees)
remove the tick as soon as possible
apply petroleum jelly or alcohol
grab the tick as close to the skin as you can
gently pull straight up until all parts are removed (try not to twist or jerk the tick as you’re removing it (mouthparts can break off and remain in your skin))
once removed, wash the bite & your hands with soap and water
apply an antiseptic to the bite + a cold compress & ice to reduce swelling