ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — Perhaps you've heard that St. Louis is one of the top cities for mosquitoes, and now you're wondering how to avoid the pesky bloodsuckers.
Aside from the over-simplified answer of "wear more bug spray," Consumer Reports advises how to make the most of the warmer months without all the irritation and itching.
- Clear your yard of areas mosquitoes like to breed in such as in standing water of gutters, birdbaths, old tires, wheelbarrows, swimming pool covers, etc.
- Set up an oscillating pedestal fan on your porch to prevent bugs from landing on you rather than using a citronella candle or spray.
- Swap regular lights for LED or yellow light bulbs on your porch and around your house.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and closed-toe shoes, if you're out for extended periods of time. Don't wear any tight fitting clothes — as bugs can bite through them — and avoid dark colors and any strong fragrance.
- Avoid using insecticide foggers or misters due to the harsh chemicals they emit.
There are also a few things to keep in mind when it comes to ticks:
- Keep the grass mowed and clear leaves and debris to prevent ticks from hiding in the cool shade it creates.
- Consider fencing the yard to keep deer and other tick-bearing large animals away from your property.
- Wear light colors and tuck your clothes (shirt into pants and pants into socks).
- Inspect yourself and your animals for ticks when returning from outside, and use tweezers to remove any ticks attached to skin.
- Turn the dryer on high heat after tossing in the clothes you wore outside to kill any remaining pests.
And, of course, stinging bugs:
- Limit the number of strong scented flowers in your yard, as they attract bees and wasps.
- Avoid fragrant soap, shampoo, deodorants, perfumes when spending time outside, and perhaps shower first, as sweat can also trigger stinging insects.
- Remove stinging bug nests, only if they are in high-traffic areas, during early morning or evening when they are less active. Never climb a ladder to remove a nest; call a professional to avoid medical bills.
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