Feb
24
2009
0

Stop Mosquitoes From Biting

Mosquitoes have become a public health hazard in many areas.

There are many things you can do to get rid of mosquitoes and also to

minimize the risk of bites

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes – What You Can Do to Minimize the Risk of Mosquito Bites

Over the past few years mosquitoes have developed from a nuisance into a real public health danger. These pests spread dangerous diseases such as the West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis as well as malaria and yellow fever.

It is more important than ever to protect your family from mosquito bites and learn

how to get rid of mosquitoes

While it may not be possible to completely eliminate the mosquito problem, there are many things you can do to greatly minimize the threat. Some of these things involve changing the surrounding area to be less habitable for the little buggers and some involve temporary measures to keep them away for a short period of time.

One of the easiest and most effective things you can do is to remove any standing water outside your house. This includes flower pots, buckets, pails, wheel barrows and bird feeders that may be filled with rain water. This standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and you will never be rid of them until you can eliminate this factor. Empty water out of these containers on a regular basis, maybe even make a hole in the bottom so that they cannot hold water.

Another step you can take to get rid of mosquitoes is to eliminate as much brush and tall grass as you can. Mosquitoes love to hide in grassy, overgrown areas and if you can keep the lawn cut short and clear out any unwanted brush on your property it will really help cut down on the mosquito problem.

There are several types of plants that naturally repel mosquitoes. Some of these are horsemint, marigolds, catnip and rosemary. You can also use lemon eucalyptus oil as a mosquito repellent.

The next step to take against the mosquitoes is chemical warfare. There are several types of lawn treatments that you can spray on your lawn which contain DEET. These are fairly effective at keeping mosquitoes away from your property for up to 2 weeks at a time. Other chemical treatments can not only act as a mosquito repellent, but actually kill any larvae that are waiting to be hatched.

Other  mosquito repellent products such as citronella candles and any burning/smoking products have a limited radius so that they are not that effective over a wide area. One device that does have some effectiveness is the “mosquito magnet” type of device. These machines use propane gas to produce carbon dioxide which attracts mosquitoes. They are then trapped in a net inside the device where they die of dehydration. Some of these devices can attract mosquitoes from up to a whole acre away. One drawback to using these devices is that when they break down you will need to spend additional money on mosquito magnet replacement parts such as CO2 cartridges, trap netting, thermistors and of course you have to have a supply of propane gas too.

Mosquito repellent that you wear on your skin is also somewhat effective. Products that contain DEET are most effective, while some people swear that Avon’s Skin So Soft works just as well with DEET. You should wear long sleeves and pants to minimize the amount of exposed skin.

It is my hope that this essay has shown you how to get rid of mosquitoes. As you can see, there are several steps you can take to minimize the threat of mosquitoes. It takes a multi-layered approach to achieve real effectiveness. You can’t just perform one of these steps. To achieve real results you need to do as many of them as you can. If you do all of these things you will have a much better chance at enjoying your outdoor activities without worrying about mosquitoes.

How to get rid of mosquitoes
Learn how to get rid of mosquitoes  By Mike Francis

Getting Rid Of Pests In Your Vegetable Garden  Organic Gardening

Pesky insects and bugs are a problem for most vegetable gardeners. The majority of bugs are more of a nuisance than willfully destructive. 

Hit-or-Miss: Bugs Are Attracted To Light

We bought a UV flourescent bulb that was meant to attract the flying insects and electrecute them. It was almost great because mosquitos were also attracted to the light. Unfortunately, that bulb died for no reason at all 

Keep Those Insects Away With These Bug Nets

Not only will they protect you from mosquitoes and bees, but smaller insects as well. Perfect for home or even at the workplace, these nets are a must own if you have a bug problem. 

Don’t Let Pesky Insects Hurt The Sale Of Your Home

Termites can be a major concern and even stall the sale of your home if you don’t inspect your home routinely for insect control. It’s really important to have regular inspections and preventative treatment measures in place 

Eradicating Insects

Reports have come out on some eradication of several insects. Everett Griner gives his view on where some eradication of pesky insects could start.  

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Feb
15
2009
2

Stop Itching From Mosquito Bites

Nothing annoys more than that little buzzing noise you hear of a mosquito flying around your bedroom late at night. Well, one thing does – the itch of a bite. So, how do you go about stopping it? Stop mosquito bites now.

Mosquito Bite Itch Remedy mosquito bite skin reaction

To figure out how to stop the itching it first helps to understand why an itching sensation develops. Surprisingly, you will not ‘itch’ the first time you are bitten by a mosquito. This is because the mosquito injects saliva and anti-coagulants into your skin to facilitate the feeding process. Your body will not react to these on the first bite. On subsequent ones, it will with a red bump appearing and the itching sensation.

Mosquito Bites, Stop The Itching

The actual reaction is due to a slight histamine allergy response. In nearly everyone, this allergy response is revealed by the simple itching sensation. In a small minority of people, however, a bite can produce a major allergic response with anaphylactic shock being a serious problem. With anaphylactic shock, the throat will actually close up cutting off air flow and resulting in possible death. Obviously, this is a worse case scenario, but it does happen.

So, how do we stop the itching sensation? Well, the key is to introduce something that counters the allergic reaction sensation. There are topical treatments you can buy at any drugstore. Personally, I’ve found they don’t really seem to work all that well. This is why I look to other solutions.
mosquito bite itch
I once spent a month in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is hot and muggy, perfect mosquito country. Although I used All Terrain mosquito repellent with no problems, I often missed places when applying it to my regret. I had bites behind my ears and so on. The best solution I found for killing the itching sensation was…toothpaste! I’m not sure why it works, but it does.

If you are at home, a second solution that also works can be found in your kitchen. Vinegar! Just dab a bit on the bite or bites if you are so lucky to have multiple ones. It will sting for a second and then stop itching.

In truth, there are many other ways to battle the itch of a mosquito bite The key is not to itch it and apply something that will counter the allergic reaction. People have reported everything from Preparation H to ammonia to ice cubes as being effective. It doesn’t really matter so much as you stop that itch.

By: John Grimes

Related posts

How to prevent mosquito bites and home remedies for itchy mosquito bites

As itchy mosquito bites can be caused due to allergic reactions it is better to prevent mosquito bites than treat them – there are a few home remedies for mosquito bites which you can use to get relief from the itching

How to Deal With Bug Bites and Bee Stings

Spring and summer seasons are the worst for mosquito bites. Redness and itching on and around bites is common. Swelling can occur at the site of the bites. Among other illnesses, the mosquito is a carrier of Malaria and Yellow fever

Boosting the Immune System – Naturally

After a mosquito bite, you will see a red, itchy bump. This too is another visible sign that your immune system is working. Occasionally a germ will get past the immune system, and you will catch a cold or the flu or worse.

Mosquito Bite Causes Itching, Swelling Red Skin Bumps

Standing water and warm weather creates an ideal environment for mosquitoes. This pest’s bite causes itching, swelling red skin bumps that can drive you crazy.  

Itchy And Scratchy

These were not mosquito bites. They weren’t puffy. They were just red. And gross. And have I mentioned totally itchy? On both of my feet there were differing series of little red bites. I was very upset. 

The cause of a mosquito bite itch

But a lot of people just couldn’t care less if they feel a mosquito bite itch. Some mosquitoes, however, are actually carriers of diseases. So it is always safe to use mosquito repellants at home.

Mosquito Bite Allergy

If you are like most people with sensitive skin, you may find that you have a mosquito bite allergy. A mosquito bite allergy will appear as a very red swollen and itchy bump or bumps where mosquitoes have bitten. 

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com – makers of natural insect repellent for mosquitoes that works, but won’t ruin your clothes, backpack and gear.

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Feb
15
2009
2

Garlic For Health Purposes, Mosquito remedy

Did you know that this ‘magical’ but lowly member of the onion family, garlic, has healing properties that can help almsot every ailment imaginable including of course the prevention and treatment of mosquito bites

Benefits Of Garlic For Mosquito prevention stop itching from mosquito bites

In this article I’ll be exploring the use of garlic for health. Nicknamed the ’stinking rose’, this auspicious herb has been revered throughout history as a cure and natural treatment for all manner of conditions.

These include mosquito bites wounds, heart disease, measles, tumors, snake bites, acne, colds, flu and even vampires!

Garlic Health – The Amazing Benefits Of Garlic

Garlic’s health benefits are substantiated by a wealth of modern day research that confirms its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is also a powerful antioxidant and immune booster with anti-inflammatroy properties. Scientific studies reveal benefits for diabetes, cancer and heart disease. It’s heart health traits include lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure, aiding circulation and preventing against stroke.

Garlic’s might is largely due to the sulfur compounds it contains, such as allicin. Garlic also houses vitamin C, B6, selenium, magnesium, potassium, calcium and manganese and flavonoids.

The sulphur compound allicin provides not only many of the notable benefits of garlic, but also its notorious odour. Allicin is formed during the chemistry of chopping, crushing and chewing garlic, the more thorough the milling, the more allicin is created. Allicin has antibiotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, and the reason why garlic has been used for skin infections such as Athletes’s foot, herpes and warts, digestive and lung infections such as diarrhea, coughs and colds, and Candida yeast and other microbes.

Allicin begins to degrade once produced and on cooking, so eating garlic raw and soon after chopping ensures the assimilation of optimum levels of this compound.

Garlic also contains diallyl sulphides, which, whilst not anti-fungal like allicin, are reportedly good for the blood and circulation, lowering bad cholesterol and boosting the immune system.

Rats that were put on a diet featuring both allicin and diallyl sulphides had a substantial increase in their levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione-S-transferase. This mighty enzyme produced within the body is incredibly important in helping to rid the body of toxins, drugs and carcinogens. Increasing levels of this and other phase II enzymes may be one way garlic helps to prevent against cancer, enhancing the elimination of potential carcinogens from the body. This also makes garlic great for a natural body detox.

Garlic as Anti-Inflammatory

The sulfur compounds in garlic have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activity of inflammatory enzymes. Along with vitamin C this can make garlic a protection against the pain associated with arthritis and asthma attacks.


Garlic for the Heart

garlic is renowned for its abilities to lower cholesterol and blood pressure naturally and protect against heart disease and stroke. Garlic has also been found to stimulate the production of nitric oxide in blood vessels aiding their dilation, and assist the body’s ability to dissolve blood clots (fibrinolyisis).

The antioxidant properties of garlic can also protect against cardiovascular disease by inhibiting the oxidation of bad cholesterol which would otherwise build up in artery walls. Further, folate in garlic is known to protect the cardiovascular system.

Garlic for Cancer Prevention

Population studies have revealed that eating garlic regularly, along with other alliums such as onions chives and scallions, reduces the risk of oesophageal, colon and stomach cancer. This may be due to garlic’s ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds. Garlic’s sulfur compounds such as allicin and ajeone have been found to stop the growth of various cancers in animal laboratory studies, including skin, stomach, colon, breast and oral cancer. Garlic also contains the powerful antioxidant mineral selenium, known for its anti-cancer properties.

Besides giving excellent  protection from mosquito bites and the ailments mentioned above it is also known that Garlic for Diabetes is a good preventative remedy

Some of the damage that can result from the degenerative effects of diabetes such as diseases of the kidney, retina and nervous system, may be deterred by garlic. Rats that were given a drug that would induce similar diabetic-effects in the body, namely an increase in blood sugar, cholesterol and damaged fats and a reduction in the body’s antioxidants, experienced fewer negative effects from the drug and an increase in antioxidant levels when given a daily dose of garlic oil.

Research then, has indicated garlic health benefits against bacteria, fungi and viruses, inflammation (as with arthritis), cancer, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol levels.

Garlic – Natural Cure for Common Ailments

Garlic is an all round disease-preventive, and can be used as a natural treatment cure for common ailments such as acne, colds and flu, herpes and wrinkles due to its natural antioxidant and anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Crush a clove or two of garlic into warm water and drink twice a day though be careful on an empty stomach if you are sensitive to garlic. This also serves as a natural body detox. If your skin is not over sensitive to garlic it can also be applied directly to acne spots or herpes. I find it very effective as a cure for oral herpes (cold-sores). If you have high cholesterol level, use garlic regularly in you’re your food as this will lower your cholesterol level naturally.(obviously along with avoiding a high cholesterol diet).

To summarise…  Garlic Benefits

Prevention against mosquito bites

Garlic boosts your immune system.

Garlic is anti-aging, its antioxidant power neutralizing free radicals that procure aging and disease.

Garlic helps reduce plaque build up (atherosclerotic heart disease).

Garlic thins the blood and helps to prevent blood clots (fibrinolyisis) hence reducing the risk of strokes.

Garlic helps to prevent cancer, particularly of the digestive system, and reduces the size and arrests the growth of certain tumors.

Garlic lowers and regulates blood sugar levels.

Garlic helps to remove heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body – natural body detoxification.

Garlic is anti-inflammatory.

Garlic (raw, containing allicin) is a natural antibiotic and can kill even drug resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA as well as Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium known to cause stomach ulcers and implicated in stomach cancer.

Garlic is anti-fungal and reduces yeast infections in body parts.

Here are some relevant posts on the subject of the health benefits of garlic in the fight against mosquitoes

Know The Natural Way Of Keeping Mosquitos Away

Plus, it will keep mosquitoes and other annoying bugs away. Plant lots of garli around your yard and garden to enjoy it as a natural pest repellant. However, dont plant it too close to your vegetables.

Listen, Mosquitoes!

I, too, am a mosquito magnet, but I shall share my hard-earned knowledge with you, grasshoppa. Cut down on sugar, and eat more garlic. Yes, it really is that simple. The garlic has the added bonus of keeping vampires away; of course.

Mosquitoes And Bite Prevention

Many natural compounds have been evaluated for anti-mosquito properties. Some include eucalyptus, garlic, citronella and vitamin B. Citronella, derived from the grass Cymbopogon, is the most promising. 

Why Haven’t Mosquitoes Been Eliminated?

You are probably right, but I like garlic and I do not get bit nearly as obtain as my sister who loves sweets. Still, it is a bad idea. How about instead of killing off mosquitos we kill off malaria? 

Why Is Garlic Good for You?

Pets even benefit from garlic! It is used to keep fleas off pets. As well, if you rub garlic extract on your body, it works wonders as a pest-repellent, and keeps gnats and mosquitoes away while outdoors.

Article By: shrenksonlinepharma

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

www.shrenksonlinepharma.com

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Feb
09
2009
0

The Effects Of DDT Insecticide On Health

Pesticides containing DDT, used as a mosquito repellant and for control of other insects and pests may be having a harmful effect on health, including an increase in the potential incidence of autism.

Health and DDT Facts.

A new study suggests that pregnant women living near fields sprayed with two types of pesticides have as much as six times higher risk of children with autism.

effect of ddt on healthDDT-Like Pesticides Linked to Autism, Study Suggests.

Scientists hoping to discover the root causes of autism may have found a new link to the disorder.

A study published online this week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives shows a possible connection between two kinds of pesticides and the proximity of pregnant women living near fields where they were sprayed. The study was performed by the California Department of Public Health, and involved sampling “drift” concentrations of pesticides from agricultural fields to nearby residential areas in parts of the California Central Valley.

The researchers examined the records in 19 different California counties of over 270,000 children who were born between 1996 and 1998. Of the children studied, 465 had autism or autism-spectrum disorders (also called ASD). The records of where the children’s mothers lived during pregnancy were then compared to how close they lived to agricultural fields where many various pesticides were used.

“There seemed to be an association the closer [they] were to the fields,” said Mark Horton, a state health director at the California Department of Public Health, to reporters.

The researchers found a particularly high incidence of autism among the children of 29 women who had lived quite near (about 500 yards) from fields where two specific pesticides had been used. The class of pesticides called organochlorines, the most well-known of which is DDT, have mostly been banned in the U.S. for many years. However, two organochlorines are still in use in this country: dicofol an endosulfan. It was these two pesticides that seemed to be most strongly linked to the autism cases. Of the 29 women, eight had babies who later developed autism – a sixfold increase over the general population.

The incidence of autism was the greatest for women living nearest the fields, and decreased in relationship to the distance away from them.

And while the conclusion cannot be made definitively at this time, primarily because the group of women who had the strongest apparent pesticide-autism link was so small, many experts viewing the report feel that further study is essential.

Susan Kegley, a spokesperson from the Pesticide Action Network North America, feels that this study confirms growing evidence that dicofol and endosulfan are harmful to humans. “This is one of the first papers that link use of pesticide to incidence of a disease, and autism in particular,” Kegley told reporters at The Los Angeles Times. “The findings are very strong. This is a sixfold risk factor in comparison to someone who is not exposed. There aren’t too many studies that come out like that.”

“We’re going to be working very closely with the state department of public health,” said Glenn Brank, a representative of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, to reporters. “The implications of this study certainly are of great concern to us although you can note from the report itself there is a lot more research that needs to be done before any firm conclusions can be drawn.”

Brank added that though the study’s conclusions were alarming, the state of California has been using progressively lower amounts of dicofol and endosulfan. Newer pesticides more frequently focus on reproductive disruption rather than neurotoxic agents, lessening the harmful effects on humans.

We need to research mosquito bite prevention methods that don’t make use of harmful pesticides.

In addition, the Department of Pesticide Regulation released a recent report stating that endosulfan seems to travel further by air than previously thought, potentially exposing larger numbers of the population to it, and the agency is expected to classify it as a “toxic air contaminant,” which should further reduce its use.

For members of the community affected by autism, the study is seen as a potential addition to the array of possible causes of the disorder.

harmful ddt effects, autism
Some firmly believe that autism is caused by mercury or some other toxin contained in the MMR (Mumps Measles Rubella) vaccination; others believe environmental toxins are to blame. Some experts think that autism is caused by a genetic weakness or mutation, or a combination of genetic and environmental causes.

The study’s authors seem to concur with the latter. “The [alterations in brain function] might result from genetic factors, environmental insults, or a combination of the two,” reads the report in part.

Regardless of one’s opinion on the cause of autism, most experts agree that the preliminary study is significant and needs to be researched further.

While the link between the 29 women in the study and the pesticides is compelling, one might wonder if such a potentially toxic load might cause any number of neurological disorders in addition to autism.

There was no information available at press time as to whether the researchers studied any other ill effects suffered by people living within 500 yards of an agricultural field sprayed with hundreds of different pesticides.

Pablo Rodriguez, director of the Dolores Huerta Community Organizing Institute, told The Bakersfield Californian, “It’s important for the people of the Central Valley to advocate for continued study, more information and access to that information so we can make the best decision to sustain agriculture. We need more information to make the best possible decisions for our communities.”

By Anastacia Mott Austin

DDT-Like Pesticides Might Be Linked to Autism Types and Disorders

And while the conclusion cannot be made definitively at this time, primarily because the group of women who had the strongest apparent pesticide-autism link was so small, many experts viewing the report feel that further study isneeded

Transforming Government’s Approach to Regulating Pesticides

Action: Incorporate into all pesticide registration and reregistration protocols a requirement to evaluate sublethal effects with an impact on domesticated and wild bees and other pollinators. There are sublethal effects, not evaluated 

Pesticides harm babies

To determine the effects of pesticides here, Dr. Ostrea and his team have been conducting an ongoing study of more than 700 pregnant women (and afterward, their babies) in Malolos, Bulacan. Funded by the US NIH and the US Environmental

Bush Environmental Rollback May Be Connected To The increase in autism

California’s sevenfold increase in autism is most likely due to environmental exposures, according to scientists. A new study advocates a nationwide shift in autism research to focus on environmental factors such as pesticides.

Bee-yond pesticides

Does a bee have to die in order for a pesticide to be banned? how about if a beneficial bee is disoriented or rendered dysfunctional? these sub-lethal effects mirror conditions we see in humans such as autism and asthma.

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