The warm spring weather is already here, and the hot days of summer are just ahead. That means many things, including carefree days by the pool, fun road trips to the beach and abundant sunshine and long stretches of daylight.
For residents of Buford, GA, the coming summer season also means that mosquitoes will be breeding in prodigious numbers, and that can be a big problem. Mosquitoes may be tiny, but they pack a powerful bite, and an increasingly dangerous one. Mosquitoes have long carried exotic diseases like the West Nile Virus, but now they can harbor the Zika virus as well.
Protect Yourself and Your Family
The Zika virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and couples trying to conceive, but this mosquito-borne illness can cause sickness in healthy adults and children as well. Now is the time to protect yourself and your family, so you can spend time outdoors and avoid the bite.
Pay Attention to Scent
Studies have shown that mosquitoes are more attracted to some people than others, and that they seem drawn to particular scents. You may not be able to change your own natural scent, but you can avoid products that draw these biting insects to your vicinity.
Floral scents are particularly attractive to mosquitoes, so be careful when applying perfumes, lotions and other personal care products. If you want to avoid the bite, it makes sense to choose unscented personal hygiene products whenever you can, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors.
Time Your Outdoor Excursions
Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, and that can make bites more likely. Timing your outdoor adventures to avoid dawn and dusk can reduce the likelihood of a mosquito bite, so plan your day accordingly.
Wear the Right Clothing
It might feel good to break out those shorts and tank tops, but exposed skin can be a magnet for mosquitoes. Covering up with loose-fitting long sleeved shirts and pants can reduce the risk of a harmful mosquito bite, so dress accordingly.
If you still want to wear shorts and sleeveless shirts, bring a cover-up garment with you and wear it at dawn and dusk. You can then rely on mosquito repellents to protect your exposed skin and keep those biting insects at bay. Products containing DEET work best, so read the label carefully.
Mosquitoes are common visitors in the Buford area, but you do not have to let them ruin your outdoor fun. With a few simple precautions, you can avoid the bite and still enjoy the many wonders of a Buford area summer.