Africa can be experienced in many ways, whether you volunteer in Kenya, go white water rafting in Zimbabwe or do a desert tour in Namibia

Among the most popular of gap year choices is volunteering, this niche seems to be getting more and more popular. Whether you choose to do some  volunteering in Tanzania offering your services to the local community or opt to volunteer in Malawi to work with HIV/AIDS victims Volunteering is there to offer you the absolute time of your life. High on school and university students agendas for a gap year is volunteering and this is evident in the amount of students who travel to Africa to volunteer every year.

Over the past few years Africa has been deemed safe enough for mass tourism to more remote countries as well as offering great new remote destinations for volunteers to work. Main stream tourist markets are not able to travel to some of the destinations volunteers have access to and this is the bonus. Africa in comparison to the rest of the world is largely untouched due to its political situation not allowing foreigners into the country. This offers untouched natural landscape for both mass tourism and also volunteers who seek new pastures.

Governments give advice on where is and where isn’t safe to travel to. As long as you listen to these warnings you will be fine. Volunteering should be fun and an experience to cherish, so don’t overstep the mark and ignore warnings and safety advice given to you before you travel.

An incredibly important decision needs to be made before you travel. This of course is which company do you choose to travel with. Ensure you are totally comfortable with your choice when making this decision.

Africa is the future for travel, not only volunteering but also many other niche markets including extreme sports and cultural tours.

Technorati Tags: Volunteer In Malawi, Volunteer In Tanzania, Volunteering, Volunteering In Kenya

Purchasing the appropriate tent will help make your holiday a success. Different tents have been designed for different kinds of weather. Be sure to check your tent and the weather conditions for where you are going before you commit to your purchase. Invest in a mallet or hammer too, so you can actually hammer your tent’s pegs into the ground.

When you’re out shopping, look for a sleeping bag that will keep you warm enough or cool enough for the weather conditions you are going to be vacationing in. Usually, the bag will say on the label whether it’s for warm or cool weather. Also, you can buy sleeping bags that attach to one another or fit more than one person, which is great if you’re traveling with someone you love.

Take a strong pair of water resistant brown boots with you. A good pair of shoes will keep your feet safe from bugs, sharp rocks, and other potentially harmful things you might find outside.

Wear a digital sport watch while you are on your trip. Being aware of the time is very important, especially if you are traveling with other people and need to meet up at a specific time. If you buy a watch that has a light on it and is also waterproof, it will stand the test of rain and darkness.

If you plan on doing many physically strenuous activities, like hiking or climbing, it might be a good idea to take a massager with you. This will help relax your muscles at night, so you can get a good sleep and prepare for the next day. Buy one that is battery powered so it can actually work outside and don’t forget to pack extra batteries to keep it powered up.

Packing for an outdoor holiday doesn’t need to be stressful. Start out by making a list of all the things you will need to get through each day and whatever kind of weather you might face. Always be sure to pack the appropriate shoes, tent, sleeping bag, and watch.

Technorati Tags: holiday, outdoor, packing, vacaction

If you’re going to Malaysia, a trip to Wayang Kulit is indispensable. This place is the best means to update yourself about the massive culture of Malaysia. This place is basically famous for its sundry art forms like shadow puppetry and loads more. You can also get a hang of true dance and music of the Malaysian tradition after visiting this place.

Get to know more about Rafflesia. For folk that aren’t acutely conscious of what Rafflesia is, get your facts updated as it is the biggest flower of the world. If you want to catch a glimpse of this flower in the flesh, head to Malaysia as it the one place in the world where it is available. Even if you are not too fond of flowers and similar flora, you are surely going to enjoy the rare and the exotic plant species this place is feted for.

Anyone who wishes to spend a holiday in the lap of mother Nature must visit Malaysia. The country is dotted with assorted wild life reserves and national parks. Each of these presents a spectacle of the wildlife of the country. You can also find species which are otherwise endangered like elephants, rhinos, bears and tapirs in the sundry sanctuaries of the country.

Another thing that you have got to do when you visit Malaysia is make a visit to Mount Kinabalu in Borneo. Those who have an affection for mountain climbing, will like this place for sure. Mount Kinabalu boasts of the tallest top in the entire Malay Archipelago. You can choose to chill with your family or enjoy the superb thing about nature.

Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque is another place you may visit in Malaysia. The structure is famous in the country for its remarkable architecture and extremely fine carvings and the like. Malaysians consider it as a symbol of their architectural capability as it brings out a good mixture of both classic and modern ages of the country.

Yet another must visit place in Malaysia is Sarwak. This place boasts of the beautiful longhouses. These houses are basically built over the rivers and therefore not a common sight for many. The houses have been designed in a superb demeanour with a particularly creative touch. In addition you are sure to like the pictorial view the place offers.

Not all of us can make a visit to the Eiffel tower in Paris. You can surely get somewhere close by visiting Petronas towers in Malaysia. At one previous point in time, these were the tallest skyscrapers across the planet. Even today, Petronas towers are a sight to keep a watch out for. They offer a galvanizing view and are sure to leave you breathless.

Each of these experiences will make your trip to Malaysia an experience to price for your entire lifetime.

Here are a few more ways to know about Dietrine Carb Blocker and Natural Weight Loss. Also, get detailed information on Weight Loss Solutions.

Technorati Tags: Dietrine Carb Blocker, Dietrine Carb Blocker Pills, Dietrine Carb Pill, Dietrine Customer Reviews, Dietrine Diet Pill, Dietrine Free

When going on an outdoor holiday, it is a better idea to pack your stuff in a large camping backpack instead of a rolling suitcase. This is because you might have to hike across rough terrain with all of your stuff, and it would not be easy to drag a suitcase across such land. When you are shopping for a backpack, make sure that it is very sturdy and that it is also waterproof. Make sure the straps are padded, too.

Always take a men’s sport watch with you. Taking a watch will allow you to know what the time is and if you ever go a separate way from your fellow vacationers, you will be able to set a time to meet them. Make sure your watch has a backlight on it, so you can also see the time in the dark.

Don’t forget to take several pairs of sleepwear on your trip. You don’t want to get stuck wearing wet or soiled clothes to bed.

It’s very important for you to take a very good pair of sturdy shoes with you. If your trip might include rain or snow, then take a really good pair of boots. A pair of leather brown boots is also a good purchase, especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of hiking or climbing. These boots will protect your feet and will also be very comfortable to wear.

Make sure the sleeping bag you take will keep you warm or cool enough so that you can actually fall asleep. Different kinds of sleeping bags are actually made for different seasons. Also, try to find a sleeping bag that has a waterproof exterior shell or a hood attached if it is going to be particularly cold during your trip.

It can be hard to figure out what you should pack and what you shouldn’t pack for your outdoor holiday. If you listen to the tips in this article, your packing will definitely be easier.

Technorati Tags: packing for holiday, traveling

Over the past few years they 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 such bites and learn how to get rid of them.

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.

What Can You Do?

Remove stagnant water

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 them and you will never be rid 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.

Cut Down Overgrown Areas

Another step you can take is to eliminate as much brush and tall grass as you can. They 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 mozzy problem.

Plant Natural Repellants

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

Use DEET Spray

The next step to take 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 these biting insects away from your property for up to 2 weeks at a time. Other chemical treatments can not only act as a  repellent, but actually kill any larvae that are waiting to be hatched. However it is advised to use with caution

Invest In A ‘MosquitoMagnet’

Other repellent products such as citronella candles and any burning/smoking products have such a limited radius that they are not that effective. 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 mozzies. 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  replacement parts such as CO2 cartridges, trap netting, thermistors and of course you have to have a supply of propane gas too.

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. 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 itchy bites and allergic reactions.

How to get rid of mosquitoes
Learn how to get rid of mosquitoes

By Mike Francis

Technorati Tags: keywords

Selous Riverside Camp on the banks of the Rufigi river are no different. The walks are relatively short lasting around 1-2 hours and covering no more than a mile or two. Walking safaris are particularly challenging and you can wear trainers or similar comfortable shoes.

But don’t forget to cover your legs and arms and put some insect repellant cream or other mosquito prevention treatment to stop the pesky mites making a meal of you!

You’ll find some tips on mosquito bite prevention here –> Click here

The walking safaris at Selous Riverside start early. We were given a 5am wake up call.30am for a 6am start. Before boarding of safari vehicles there was just time for a quick cup of tea. As Selous Riverside is located outside the Selous National Park, we were also going to walk outside the park. Our destination was around 10-15 minutes away and we were soon on our way, heading through a nearby village and down one of the many side roads where we pulled over.

There was fairly thick vegetation all round us but paths that had been cleared by passing elephants and hippo were clearly visible so we followed these. Our group of 6 walkers was accompanied by an armed ranger and a local tracker. Once the short briefing had finished, we commenced on our walk. The ranger led the way and we all followed in single file with the tracker falling in behind.

Although it was fairly unlikely that we would come across any larger wildlife such as elephants or leopards mainly due to the noise we made, our ranger did tell us that he has seen a large selection of such animals during walks. Insects, plants and birds are the focal point of this type of walking safari. The first item of interest we came across was a termite mound that stood at least 2 metres tall. The ranger explained that although the termite mound looked quite large, two-thirds of the system was underground. When you consider the size of the little creatures who built it, the termite mound is quite an impressive sight.

The one inescapable sound was the almost deafening sound of cicadas which were all around us. Cicada are similar to locusts and if you look carefully, you can see them on the branches of the trees. They go through a 17 year life cycle and are preyed upon by pretty much everything in the wild. We were also shown plants like the Sausage Tree which takes its name from the sausage shaped fruit it produces. However, the fruit is much large than the traditional English breakfast sausage as it grows up to a metre in length and can weigh over 10kg.

The walk lasted for an hour and although it was all too easy to get the feeling it wasn’t much different to a walk in a wood back in England, the occasional tracks we came across gave us a reminder that we were very much in Africa. Once back at the safari vehicle, we were soon on our way to camp for breakfast before heading out on another day on safari in the Selous Game Reserve.

Technorati Tags: selous game reserve, selous walking safari, tanzania walking safari, walking safari

Backpack for Hiking in The Summer

For day hiking you will need a backpack capable of carrying 1,500-2,000 cubic inches or 25 to 35 liters. Iincrease this total to 2,500 or 3,000 cubic inches (40 to 50 liters) if the trip lasts for two nights.

For hiking that takes three to five nights maximum, the backpack should be able to carry 3,000-4,000 cubic in (50 to 65 liters). The capacity should be 4,000 to 5,000 cubic inches or 50 to 65 liters at the minimum if it is for at least five night.

Spring and Fall / Autumn Hiking Backpack

For a day hike, the capacity should be 2,000-2,500 cubic inches (equal to 35-40 liters). If you’ll be camping out for two evenings, the backpack size / capacity should be 3,000 to 3,5000 cubic inches or 50 to 55 liters.

The capacity should be 4,000 to 5,000 cubic inches (65 to 80 liters) if you’ll be hiking for a minimum of three nights (maximum five nights). The capacity should be 5,000 cubic ft minimum for a hiking trip that lasts at least five days.

Backpack for Hiking in The Winter

Winter hiking requirements are a bit different. The backpack size of 2,500-3,500 cubic inches (40 to 55 liters) will be ideal for day hiking. If the trip lasts for two nights, increase this total to 4,000 to 5,000 cubic inches (65 to 80 liters).

For a 3 to 5 night trip, the size should be 5,000 cubic inches or 80 to 90 liters. The capacity should be 5,000 cubic feet, that’s equal to 50 to 65 liters if the trip lasts for five days minimum.

Types of Backpack

Daypacks are very popular among summer hikers. These are basically small backpacks. Their small size makes them ideal to carry during hot days. When shopping for daypacks, think of the trip duration.

If you’ll be hiking for at least a couple of days, make sure the backpack has enough room for extra clothing. The backpack size for winter hiking needs to be a little bigger. You’ll need thicker clothes.

Backpacks use internal or external frames. The internal frames are more popular nowadays because it provides mobility and balance. This is most suitable for hiking and mountain climbing. However the external backpack is preferred by some as there is space between the backpack and one’s back.

What to Carry

Food, water and clothing are the bare necessities. Make sure to carry the amount of clothing needed; you don’t want to run short, but don’t fill your backpack with stuff you won’t use. Don’t forget to carry medical kits, including nets, creams or lotions to prevent insect bites such as from mosquitos

Having a compass with you is also a good idea. A flashlight, batteries and a cell phone are also essential especially for new hikers.

While manufacturers may use the same backpack size measurements, each has its own nuances. Spend some time trying them to see which one you’re most comfortable with.

looking for some extreme mountain hiking? check this out:
How High is Mount Everest?
How High is Mount Kilimanjaro?

related reading: Travel Bag Dimensions

Technorati Tags: adventure, backpack, bag, dimensions, hiking, measurements, travel

Elephants treck through hotel while we were on safari in Africa

My wife and I love Africa and we couldn’t resist the temptation to visit our friends in Africa and visit the continent, when Juliette was nearly two years old we travelled from South Africa to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania both the mainland and Zanzibar.

We had a marvellous safari and really had no difficulty with finding food for our daughter or cots in the hotels. In fact the whole trip was just perfect. We made sure that we used Mosquito nets , and to cover her with a strong mosquito repellant she wasn’t bitten once in the whole trip.

So if you are thinking of travelling to Africa with your family but are worried whether your children will enjoy the safari and whether they will be safe, we hope you will be encouraged with our personal experiences. Our daughter Juliette has enjoyed safaris from the very earliest age and have friends who have raised their children so the easy answer is yes children do adapt well to the wild but with some conditions.

Children tend to love the wildlife and a safari is usually a wonderful experience for children of all ages. It can get a bit long and hot for children so we have some suggestions for you;

• take with you some animal spotting safari games
• learn the Swahili names for the animals which will help the children build a relationship with your driver and should provide fun.
• Download safari games available from the web at no charge, this will keep them busy. We have a FREE children’s activity pack which you can view or download and print free of charge and includes a safari animal check list with Swahili animal names, plus some other fun stuff.

An amazing experience that we had and would like to mention because it might be useful for other parents travelling with young children while on safari…

We went on a night drive in Zambia in an open vehicle with other guests from the lodge.This was so exciting and turned out to be one of the most amazing we have ever done. We discovered a young leopard where we later found ourselves right in the core of a herd of buffalo that was suddenly being ambushed by four hungry female lions. The lions prey escaped. In all the excitement our daughter began crying, it took seconds for the lions who characteristically think vehicles as just part of the landscape began to think the vehicle as a promising prey, like a small animal in distress. Fortunately our guide acknowledged the change in mood and drove us away quickly to safety with a pack of lions following us.

The food in safari lodges tends to be quite relaxed so no problems here either. There should be no problems keeping children interested in this new and stimulating world where they will face a different way of life and maybe poverty for the first time, but I think the lifestyle of Africa can play an essential part in the education of our sometimes pampered children.

Common sense is if the parents are sensible and make the children abide by the safari rules no danger will come to the children. Certainly the first thing to do is sit down with your children before departure and explain that Africa is a different world from the one they are used to, where there is danger around.

There is no need to overemphasize but camp rules are there for your protection and must be followed, because if they are not, the consequences can be serious. For very young children I propose you pick your camp carefully and make sure your travel advisor knows you are travelling with children so they can find the most suitable for children. We can guide you on this from personal experience as we have been on many safaris with our children. We also have a lot of information for going on safari & travelling in Africa

It is recommended that young children should not be vaccinated and are excused in most countries for yellow fever but truthfully I don’t feel this should be of concern. This is a rare disease which you should not meet in a safari lodge. Your focus of concern should be malaria which is a problem all over the tropics. The local population catch it repeatedly and it is generally deemed no worse than a bout of flu. However depending on the strain, it can be dangerous and the solution here is good prevention. Young children cannot take malaria tablets we advise you to get advice from your doctor. Before the sun goes down make sure that you put insect repellent all over their arms and legs making sure any exposed area is covered then check to make sure they are sleeping under mosquito nets. These safety measures will help you to reduce the risk of malaria to just about zero.

Don’t be scared about taking your children to Africa, it is a wonderful experience for them and we have been back with Juliette many times, but do cover them up well and no safaris in open vehicles for very small children

Note: The above information is advice given on the basis of the author’s experience at the time of writing and the author cannot take responsibility for any traveller choosing to take the advise above. Before travelling you should speak to your GP and take advice from the relevant authorities before travelling.

Technorati Tags: africa, children safaris, children travelling, family safaris, free childrens activity pack, malawi, south africa, Tanzania, travelling information for Africa, zambia, zanzibar, zimbabwe

Safety around creepy crawlies

Simply be prepared and you should be safe from the not-so-monstrous creepies that crawl in the night.

One of the first things to be aware of is the threat of malaria from infected mosquito bites but adequate preparation through starting on a course of medication before, during and after travel should suffice

Mosquitoes – unfortunately many safari parks are in malaria areas. Malarone, antibiotic doxycycline, chloroquine and mefloquine are the four most common medications prescribed against malaria. Chatting to your doctor beforehand will ensure that you get the right medication for both your family and the area to where you are travelling. To be extra safe, bring along  mozzie-repellent shampoos, soaps, lotions and sprays, especially for the kids.

Mosquito bite treatment and natural repellants in addition to medication include Brewer’s Yeast and garlic (the mosquito doesn’t like the smell apparently!) and anti itch lotion with aloe ver

It is also a good idea to invest in a mosquito net to ensure a restful night’s sleep, free from pesky mosquito and other insect bites

Snakes – generally shy creatures, it is unlikely that you will encounter a snake in the built up areas of your safari camp. If you do meet with one, back away quickly and quietly. Bites are usually more painful than fatal, but seek medical attention from a camp medic immediately, just to be safe.

A good idea would be to wear leather boots that go up to the knee… very difficult for a snake to bite through if you stood on one accidentally and caused it to react

Creepies – most game lodges supply nets and window coverings to keep the crawlies at bay, but it is still a good idea to check your shoes before squishing a sleeping scorpion. When going for bush walks, wear long trousers, boots and hiking socks to prevent picking up any hitchhikers.

Ticks – these icky little creatures are an unfortunate side-effect of being in the bush. All conditions that develop from a tick bite are treatable, but it is important to remove the offending bug as soon as possible. Conflicting techniques exist on how to remove a tick, but it is generally considered ill-advised to yank it, suffocate it, or drown it as the head buries itself even further. Rather use tweezers, grasp it at the head, right against your skin and pull straight up to remove the tick in its entirety.

Have you ‘ticked’ that one off the list?

Safety on a game drive

It is very easy to think that just because you are in a Land Rover with a guide and a gun, you are completely safe. Most game drives are relatively risk-free, but only as long as you do your bit and follow the rules.

Listen to your guide – guides are experienced in animal behaviour and will always have a good reason for asking you to do, or not do, something. Asking you to keep quiet could be to prevent an already agitated animal from charging, or disappearing and ruining your photos. Anything as quiet as the click of a camera could set an animal off, so listen if your guide asks you to hold off on a picture.

Keep your hands to yourself – Game drives traverse some pretty wild terrain and you just never know when a branch or a particularly spiky bush could suddenly appear. Keeping your hands and arms inside the vehicle ensures that you don’t get any nasty scratches. This also means that you should you be lucky enough to get close to an animal, you shouldn’t lean out and touch it. Wild animals could react viciously and injure you. Remember, if these animals become too used to humans it will be to their detriment if they later have the confidence to approach a hunter, farmer or built up area.

Stay sitting – any sudden movement could scare an animal, ruining your picture or even prompting an attack. Animals are used to the shape and size of safari game drive vehicles and standing could alter this shape and cause panic.

Safety on a self-drive safari

Common sense should ensure your safety on a self-drive exploration of a game reserve as most of the same rules apply as when you are on the road.

Stay inside the car - You wouldn’t hang out a window while driving in the city? Well, don’t do it while on safari. Keep all your body parts inside the car and never, ever, ever get out the vehicle at any time. If you get a flat tyre, call for help or flag down another car to get help for you. Even though the coast may seem to be clear, bending to change a tyre leaves you vulnerable to attack.

Keep to the speed limits – There are speed limits in any game park – obey them for your safety and the animals.

Don’t feed the animals – You should also not throw rubbish out your windows. Any left over food will naturally attract animals and can have detrimental effects on the environment. Teaching animals to rely on humans for food can turn them into scavengers that can’t fend for themselves and introduces foreign substances into their environment which all contribute to a negative shift in the eco-system.

Don’t be tempted to rev or hoot or flash your lights in an attempt to try and get the animal to do something more interesting. More interesting could end up in your car being charged. If an animal shows any sign of getting agitated, slowly start your car and move off. These signs could include a prolonged stare-off, erratic ear movement, pacing or even a mock charge.

Safety on a game walk or at a lookout point

There are designated places where you can walk in a game reserve or get out your car, but follow these guidelines:

No swimming – it gets hot out there, but a quick dip is not the answer. No matter how inviting the water, it could hide crocs and hippos – and they don’t like to share their pools. The bilharzias parasite is also present in some rivers and can cause bleeding and ulceration of the intestine and bladder.

No feeding the animals – A change in feeding patterns could mean that some animals do not migrate as they would normally do at a certain time of year, adversely affecting food supplies. Different animals that are taught to scavenge can also fight over one food supply that they would not normally share, resulting in injuries and harmful inter-species interactions. Most importantly, wild animals have specialised diets and you have no idea what effect a chocolate bar could have on their bodies.

No touching – do not approach an animal, touch it or call it – the response will not be one that you anticipated.

Do not stray – stay on the path, in the designated watch area or with your guide. Besides getting lost, you may trample endangered plant species or contribute to erosion.

About the author: GoTravel24.com is South Africa’s leading travel website. With information covering every aspect of travel, from honeymoon tips to upcoming events and affordable packages, GoTravel24 is really your one-stop travel shop.

Article Source: ArticleSnatch Free Article Directory

A Kenya Safari Holiday .

You need to sleep under treated mosquito netting, and the doors and windows should be screened against mosquitos. If you are lucky enough to have a fan or even airconditioning then even better, but just remember malaria prophylaxis 

Masai Mara Safari

And, we had a steward who made up our room during the day, and then when we were on our evening safari, would fix up our tent for the evening. Close all the curtains, take our mosquito nets down, switch the day bedlinens 

Close encounters of the Creature Kind

Ah but our foray with biting insects had only just begun: in the Tanzanian post-rainy-season tropics we entered the land of the Mosquito. The nightly routine, consisted of returning to base before dusk to cover up and apply vast quantities of DEET to any exposed skin before going anywhere. … Instead of reducing my terror of catching the disease (we’d met someone on Safari who’d had it on Malarone, the extremely expensive new drug I was on for extra protection in Africa

USB Mosquito Stick Keeps You Malaria-Free On A Laptop Safari

Using an ultrasonic force field, this USB stick vows to protect you from mosquitoes during all those times when you find yourself using a laptop

Technorati Tags: bite, bites, Chloroquine, drugs, infected, malaria, Mefloquine, mosquito, mosquitoes, natural, net, prevention, repellant, safari, safety, scorpion, snake, ticks

> Mosquito Bite Treatment. Click here

At best, these flying ‘leeches’ are infuriating, drive you insane looking for them as you are trying to get the children off to bed and leave unsightly blotches all over your skin. At worst they are one of the biggest killers of humans to ‘grace’ the planet. There is a whole slew of diseases that can be caused by a mosquito bites, including:

* Malaria * Yellow Fever * Encephalitis * Dengue Fever

All delightful stuff I am sure you agree!

Mosquito facts

Today we are going to learn a little about what makes these things ‘tick’. My youngest girl asked me to ‘Google’ them today actually (the poor little thing is a lure for Mozzies unfortunately.) And most importantly what can you do to defend yourself from these disgusting little vampires!

Mozzie Biology

Mosquitoes are insects that have been cursing animals and more recently, humans for more than 30 million years. And it seems that, our little friends have been very busy evolving and honing their skills of finding people to bite. Mosquitoes have an impressive aray of sensors designed to track their prey, including:

Chemical sensors -

Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide and lactic acid up to an unbelievable 36 metres (100 feet) away. Mammals and birds gives off these gases as part of their normal breathing. There are also certain chemicals in sweat that seem to attract mosquitoes (the lucky people who don’t sweat much don’t get nearly as many mosquito bites).

Visual sensors -

If you move around wearing clothing that contrasts with the background mosquitoes can see you, and and get a ‘target lock’ on you. Instinctually, anything moving is considered alive and therefore fair game to have it’s blood siphoned.

Heat sensors

Talk about overkill: Mosquitoes can also detect the heat warm-blooded mammals and birds give off very easily once they are in range.

With all these high-tech sensors these little ’suckers’ (pun intended) sound more like something out of a Terminator movie and without protection we don’t really stand a chance.

Interestingly it is only the female mosquitoes that bite (what is is with females – I bet if we had a Father Nature instead things would be a lot different.) Not unlike human gold-diggers, the female lands on your skin and sticks her proboscis into you (the proboscis is very sharp and thin, so you may not feel it going in). Her saliva contains proteins (anticoagulants) that prevent your blood from clotting.

I bet you didn’t know this – Mosquitoes can actually explode!

Obviously if you notice her and try to squish her, she will fly away. Otherwise, she will remain until she has a full tummy – she has yet another sensor telling her when she is full and it is time to detach. I once had one land on me and when it was sucking away merrily I carefully pinched my skin tightly to her proboscis so that she couldn’t escape. While it left a nasty welt, I had a last laugh as she filled with blood and exploded

After she has bitten you, some saliva remains in the wound. The proteins from the saliva evoke an immune response from your body with the symptoms of the area swelling an being as itchy as h***. The swelling tends to subside quite quickly, but the itchiness will remain until your immune cells break down the proteins in the saliva.

HIV ‘Old Wives Tales’ Exposed

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes AIDS cannot survive inside a mosquito, and therefore thankfully cannot be transmitted from one person to another through mosquito bites.

How to Stop Getting Bitten By Mosquitoes

You can do a few things to reduce the number of mosquito bites that you get while enjoying the outdoors. First, wear clothing that covers most of your body, if temperatures permit – in saying that though I have been bitten through jeans before so nothing is fool-proof here.

Use Mosquito Repellent.

>  Natural mosquito repellant

You can go the route of using the ‘ol Japanese standby – the Katori Senko. You can find these bad boys in almost every drugstore in the land. They are green swirly incense sticks that contains some type of plant- based repellent that purports to keep mosquitoes (and any worthy suitors) at bay. While these might be effective for household use, I like to know what my kids and I are breathing and they are no help once you are outside.

When my girls and I are outside rather than spray ourselves with toxins that eventually work their way to building up in our internal organs I prefer more natural alternatives:

If you are interested in getting the best natural bug repellents, and natural supplement delivered right to your door while saving up to 70% on retail prices I urge you to run to iherb.Com and if you enter this code HAY138 you will get $5 off your first order (on top of the impressive discounts!)

>  Natural mosquito repellant

I have been ordering supplements from iherb.Com for over 5 years now from 3 different countries and I can tell you that their customer service is top notch, their prices unheard of, and shipping is quick and cheap. If you could even find these products in Japan you would likely pay well over full price, fork out money to get the train or fight traffic to get to the store. But with iherb.Com your stuff is only a few clicks and a few days away no matter where you live in Japan or the world.

P.S The best shipping option for Japan is to choose Yamato – they are the ones with the Black Cat on the side of their truck.

P.P.S Feel free to share this code HAY138 with anyone who has never ordered from iHerb before. They will save $5 on their first order as well and a truckload on anything they order from then onwards.

P.P.P.S Guys – believe me you will definitely want to know about the amazing ‘night-time’ benefits of Cordyceps that you can get from iherb too;-)

Author Haydn Stevenson provides you with Free Tips for a more stress-free, funand enriching life in Japan (including the secrets of how he creates income on 100% ‘auto-pilot’ while being a full-time solo dad.) For those starting out living in Japan or are just plain ‘curious’ http://japanfordummies.com shows you this wonderful country through the eyes of an ‘outsider’ who has bumped up against the Good, the Bad and Ugly.. and lived to tell the tale

Technorati Tags: bite, bites, facts, insects, mosquito, natural, remedies, remedy, repellant, treatment