Column by Catherine Stack — I love summer!  I hate mosquitoes!  Although rare, their bites can cause serious complications including transmission of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis and West Nile virus to humans as well as animals.  

There are approximately 200 species in the United States and 3,500 worldwide. Mosquitoes have four stages of life cycle:  egg, larva, pupa and adult.

The first three stages take place in the water and will last from 5-14 days. Adult females lay their eggs in standing water, which can be a salt-marsh, lake, puddle, a natural reservoir on a plant, or even a bucket. Adults live and feed for 4-8 weeks. It is the female mosquito that feeds on warm-blooded mammals as she needs to enjoy a bloody meal before she is capable of laying eggs.  Sounds a bit vampire-ish to me. Males are harmless and typically feed on nectar.

For unknown reasons, some individuals are far more susceptible to being bitten than others. Scientists have identified several chemical markers that act like neon signs when it comes to attracting mosquitoes.  The top candidates: the amount of carbon dioxide in the breath, pregnancy, body temperature and blood type. Individuals with Type O blood seem more attractive to mosquitoes than those who are not.  Pregnant women exhale, on average, 21 percent more carbon dioxide than non-pregnant individuals and tend to have a warmer core temperature making them a mosquito delicacy. Beer drinkers are also more likely to attract these pesky insects.  

Many insect repellents contain DEET. Studies have suggested that DEET causes diffuse brain cell death and behavioral changes in rats. Small children are at increased risk for brain and neurological symptoms as their skin is much more permeable than an adult’s.

Remember that your skin is your largest organ and you should avoid pouring toxins though it.  Humans may be at risk for memory loss, headaches, muscle and joint pains and a host of other uncomfortable side effects with regular use of DEET.  

For those of you who would like to avoid the toxic route of repelling mosquitoes you may want to try some of the following suggestion.  

B-1 (Thiamin) has been found to be beneficial in repelling mosquitoes. The recommended dose is 100mg which you may want to add between the months of April and October.  Even if you already take a B-complex vitamin, this may prove helpful.

Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets are relatively safe and can be wiped on adults and children.  Keeping a sheet or two in your pocket may also ward off invaders.  

Most are familiar with the effectiveness of Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil.  Mixing with rubbing alcohol appears to improve the effectiveness.

Bananas seem to create a very appealing scent in humans making them a very attractive appetizer.  Avoiding bananas during mosquito season may help to reduce your potential for attacks.

Clear Mexican vanilla when mixed with olive oil is a favorite natural repellent used in Texas.  I imagine you would smell great as well.

A common smell that mosquitoes are not fond of is the smell of Vick’s Vaporub.  It appears that they do not care for the menthol. Vick’s may be beneficial as a topical application to the bite as well. It seems to decrease itching as well as swelling. Toothpaste (not gel), Preparation H as well as hand sanitizers seem to be good choices in reducing itching and swelling.  

A rainy spring leads to the likelihood that we will see a dense population of mosquitoes. Commercial mosquito dunks placed in standing water has proven successful in killing mosquito larvae without the use of toxic chemicals. Fountains, ponds, rain gutters and flowerpot trays are potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Of course citronella has been useful as a natural repellent in the form of candles, oils, incense and the plant itself.  Java Citronella is considered to be the highest quality citronella on the market that boasts no additives or diluents.

If you are anything like me, you will be searching on line for clear vanilla and Java citronella to prepare for what will most likely be a summer full of sun, fun and a ton of mosquitoes. Give these remedies a try and I’m sure you’ll find one that works well without worry of toxic chemical exposure.  

Catherine Stack is a doctor of naturopathy and certified nurse midwife. Her practice is located at Journey II Health in Niagara Falls. She can be reached at 298-8603 or at her website at journeyiihealth.com.