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TAIL OF
THE DOG

Mosquito

his small annoying fly is so the claustrophobic feeling some Mosquitoes are attracted to dark
named from a combination people get from sleeping under them. colours, so avoid wearing green or
Tof Spanish and Portuguese: Some nets are high enough to have black, and stick to pale greys, beiges
mosca (fly) and ito (little). a fan underneath. Screens on the and white.
windows help, and a fan in the room
Mozzies are persistent, and the bites not only brings down the temperature Make sure there is no standing water
of the females (the males only drink but also bats the mozzies out of the near the house or sleeping areas,
nectar) can cause serious illnesses way with the air movement. For this is where they breed. Clear the
like malaria, yellow fever, dengue campers, sophisticated tents have gutters, so the rainwater flows and
fever as well as huge irritation to net or screen openings to help keep doesn’t create small pools. A thin
humans. When you are bitten by a the critters out. layer of paraffin oil on the water
mosquito, there is a transfer of saliva surface in rainwater tanks can also
from the female which causes an Sprays and repellent creams are vital stop the breeding ground by creating
itchy rash that gets worse over days. if you want to enjoy a sundowner at a barrier that suffocates the larvae,
Not to mention the lack of sleep, the dusk, your ankles and bare skin are as they need to get to the water
fury knowing there is one in the room mozzie magnets. Apparently, they surface to breathe.
but you can’t catch it. like the smell of stinky cheese, so
some people’s feet are a great draw. An African proverb says: if you
Prevention of mosquitos attacking is a Certain plants are helpful like think you are too small to make a
subject in its own right. Mosquito nets lemon grass (citronella), lavender, difference, you haven’t spent the
(in some hot and humid countries, the marigolds, catmint, rosemary, basil, night with a mosquito.
nets are permeated with mosquito mint and sage. Plant oils like lemon
repellent) are vital. They are simple, eucalyptus and citronella help.
inexpensive, but can be custom- These can be used with diffusers or
made to fit four poster beds, to stop in candles. Gill Butler

Wave

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