Waging War Against Mosquitoes

This year for Spring Break I took my family to Hawaii. I knew to pack tons of sunscreen, but was stymied by whether or not to bring insect repellent. Where I live in South Carolina, mosquitoes will find you, even in the middle of winter. I swear, they circle the door, just waiting for it to open so they can launch an invasion indoors.

I don't know whether I have been lucky or else it's really true mosquitoes are not a problem on the island of Kona, but I haven't seen even one mosquito or other biting insect. It's like a vacation from bugs. However, I'll return home eventually, and I'm sure the mosquitoes will be hungry. Plus, I'll be tastier than ever. Floral and fruity fragrances are included among chemical attractants to mosquitoes, so a diet including pineapple and bananas should gain me a nice welcome-home bite between the airport and my car. If I wear a lei, I'll improve my odds of the encounter. I did pack mosquito repellent, however, and I'll be prepared. If you have mosquitoes, you can be prepared, too. Here's a collection of resources for you, about DEET, a highly effective synthetic mosquito repellent, information on several natural repellents, and a look at the factors that attract the insects.

• DEET Chemistry
• Natural Mosquito Repellents
• 'Natural' Doesn't Guarantee Safety
• Cinnamon Beats DEET Against Mosquitoes
• Mosquito Coils May Cause Cancer

Photo: USDA