The Summertime Bug Bite Decoder

First, prevention. ..

Researchers have discovered that there are particular odors the body produces that can make you very attractive to bugs. These tend to be made up of lactic acids, so the more lactic acid you release in your sweat, the more interesting you are to any mosquito within 50 meters (no kidding!). Also the amount of carbon dioxide you exhale is another factor.

You will notice that because of this, heavy duty bug repellants that are effective also have a scent to them to mask your own smell. You can try to look for products that contain the nontoxic chemical picaridin or biopesticide IR 3535. These are the closest to DEET without the toxicity worry. But if you are simply looking for normal bug protection, natural repellants will do just fine. In fact a New England Journal of Medicine study found that there are natural repellants that are not chemical-based and seem to still be effective. These include Neem Oil, Lemon Oil, Eucalyptus Oil and even Soybean Oil. Bite Blocker is a good choice according to this study. There are also a number of natural remedies you can take daily throughout the summer to help you prevent bug bites and reduce your body’s negative reaction when you do:

Desbio Bug Bouncer – a homeopathic remedy for people who tend to have allergic reactions to bug bites.

MediHerb AllergCo – this is a wonderful general anti-allergy herbal tablet that helps dampen typical summer allergy symptoms, including reactions to bug bites.

Desbio Insect Bite - another homeopathic remedy that helps to reduce symptoms after a bite.

Desbio Itch - a great homeopathic way to reduce itching associated with many bug bites.

Second, know your bugs...

One of the most important things to prevent bug bites is to know when and where you would be most likely to run into clouds of insects. Mosquitoes tend to be most active at dawn and dusk, and only female mosquitoes do the biting. Bees, wasps and biting flies are at their peak during the midday sun. Spiders on the other hand only will bite you when they are disturbed or scared. And then we have the ticks which will go after you day or night, whenever the next meal comes strolling by.

Now the where is a bit more difficult. Ticks will be in tall grass, shrubs and woods, and are obviously more common where deer are present. Walking in the center of a trail and mowing your grass often reduces your chances of encountering ticks. Remember, they are looking for exposed skin, and as long as you remove them promptly, negative effects will be minimal.

Mosquitoes are going to be more common around standing water, even in potted plants, outdoor plastic toys, swing sets, bird baths, etc. You can plant a number of plants that help to repel mosquitoes around areas of your yard where you like to sit. Try Marigolds, Ageratum, Catnip, Horsemint and of course Citronella.

Ants are going to be in sandy soil and their homes and trails are clearly visible, especially in paving areas, the edges of gardens and along the foundations of buildings. If you have fire ants setting up housekeeping in your yard, evict them! One of the best ways to evict them is to pour boiling water over the anthill.

Bees and wasps are looking for two things, pollen and a place to call home. If you see a group of them circling a particular spot, chances are they are checking out a spot or have already begun to build. Try to avoid insecticide and instead simply remove what they have already constructed carefully. Remember that many bees can actually be living in a hole in the ground, so mulching an area or a nice large decorative rock, fountain or sculpture over any hole can be a great preventive measure.

Avoid flowers that attract bees close to your home, however by planting a bee-friendly garden away from your home in a corner of the yard, you can help to keep local bee population happy and healthy. Some bee-attractive flowers are Bee Balm, Black-Eyed Susan, Asters, Goldenrod, Lupine, Rhododendron, Sunflowers, Lilacs. So attract them to a spot that isn't likely to lead to close encounters.

Third, know the bite...

Mosquitoes create a soft pink or red bump with intense itching. Bees or wasps cause an immediate burning sensation with a red welt that develops. Flies will cause immediate pain followed by a group of small bumps that itch. Fire ants cause a burning sensation followed by red, itchy bumps that turn into white, fluid-filled blisters. Spider bites can range from a small bump to more body-wide symptoms, often depending not just on the spider, but on your body’s reaction. Tick bites can be tiny, or large and are often hard to notice immediately. But if you notice a red circle developing around a bite, chances are you are developing a problematic reaction to a tick bite.

Fourth, know what to do...

1. Wash the bite area with soap and water immediately unless there is a stinger or a tick, then do this step after removing it.

2. If there is itching, apply cold compresses or try a thick paste of water and baking soda. For more severe itching, try Adolph’s meat tenderizer with water or a stronger antihistamine like Benadryl. For spider bites, use ice instead of a cold compress and keep it on for up to 20 minutes, every few hours. It slows the introduction of the venom from the bite giving your immune system a chance to mount a defense. Avoid scratching which can break the skin and create an infection.

3. If there is a stinger, or if you are dealing with a tick, you need to remove it. For stingers, gently remove it by scraping the surface of the skin with the edge of a credit card, then clean the skin. If a tick is present, use tweezers to grasp as close to the skin as possible. Then apply gentle pressure as you pull the tick straight out without squashing it. You can also douse the area with rubbing alcohol which can smother the tick, making it easier to remove it. Some people have also lit a match, blew it out and touched the red hot end to the back of the tick. So whatever works for you.

4. If you have any after-effect of the bite, try applying a very weak solution of ammonia in water (just a few drops in a quart). Or hydrogen peroxide if there is any break in the skin.

If you pay attention to the bugs around you and in your yard, you'll be able to enjoy your summer without paying too high a price.