Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Article Contributed By: Shekeydrah Robinson, Lake Homes Realty Intern
Picture yourself enjoying the warm sun and tranquility of lake living when a loud buzzing in your ear suddenly interrupts your moment of peace.
The bugs are back, and they’re gonna be trouble. But they don’t have to be…
Check out these helpful ways to prevent bugs at the lake this lake season.
The Deets about DEET
Known scientifically as N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, this chemical is the active ingredient in most bug sprays, such as OFF and Repel 100. You know it as DEET.
DEET is a man-made compound known mostly for repelling mosquitoes. Mosquitoes detect the chemical with their antennas, where their sense of smell is located. This confuses and alters their senses, effectively driving them away from your skin.
Products containing DEET not only protect from mosquitoes but also prevent bugs like flies, gnats, and chiggers from ruining your good time.
Use Nature to Fight Off Nature
An alternative to using bug spray is to utilize naturally occurring insect repellents. This approach is not only more environmentally friendly but also cost-effective.
For example, plants can be a relatively inexpensive purchase. They make festive indoor/outdoor decorations while giving off various aromas that send bugs flying in the opposite direction. Examples of such plants include mint, basil, lavender, and lemongrass.
Citronella, in particular, is effective at repelling mosquitoes because it gives off a strong lemon smell that masks attractants, such as human sweat.
Another alternative is to have the surrounding wildlife work for you. Purple martins, barn swallows, black warblers, and other songbirds love to eat mosquitoes. Putting a bird feeder in the yard provides these feathered friends with a free meal while you enjoy a bug-free day at the lake.
Gadget Magic
If you prefer a mechanical approach, there’s a whole arsenal of insect-destroying warfare to choose from.
- The UltraSonic Pest Repeller is a small device that releases high-frequency sound waves that drive bugs mad. Because of its short range, the device should be placed close to a door, window, or in the main area of concern.
- The Thermacell Mosquito Repeller is another excellent device. It uses an internal metal plate to heat a synthetic repellent, which is then released into the air, creating a 20-foot protection zone. The Thermacell Mosquito Repeller does not require electricity because it is battery-operated.
- Fans, yes, the ones used to cool your house, also repel insects. Not only do they prevent insects with weak wings from coming close, but they also keep the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) down, attracting fewer mosquitoes.
Don’t let the bugs ruin your perfect day at the lake. Instead, try out one or two of these helpful tips to ensure you have a wonderful day at the lake and leave bug-bite-free.