How to keep mosquitoes away from their food

They perfected the bark on their pork shoulder, ensured that there are vegetarian alternatives that actually want to eat people, drove the hard and soft lemonades, interpreted the unusual “unparalleled” tablecloth and utensils and bribed the children with ice promises. Only one thing could ruin your ideal Garden grille This summer: the arrival of the unwanted guests of all.

Of course we talk about mosquitoes.

These bloodsuckers in the air can drive even the hardest guests inside and ruin an outdoor event in a shorter time than it takes to scratch an itching. Keeping mosquitoes away is of the greatest importance for every grill, but sometimes healing can appear worse than the disease, and sprays and other remedies either do not work or are worse than the bite.

But do not let us underestimate the risk of mosquitoes that have killed more people in the course of history than any other animal, including other people. Mosquitoes are responsible for 700,000 deaths every year, according to the World Health OrganizationAs humans, victims of the insatiable search of female mosquitoes for blood, a critical ingredient in the production of their eggs.

We have Dr. Eva Buckner, assistant professor and expansion doctor at the University of Florida, and an expert in mosquito control, asked about the most effective and safest ways to keep your garden-cue-skeeter free without trying your guests chemicals instead of Umami.

What you shouldn’t use to keep mosquitoes away

Natural repellents

There are many popular mosquito repellents that are described as “natural”, such as citronella and neem oil, but their effectiveness and security is questionable.

“” “I always like to remember people that” of course “doesn’t always mean”, “says Buckner.” I only recommend repellentics that contain a active ingredient recommended by the CDC and it was Registered by the EPA for use as repellents that are applied to the skin. ”

Consumer reports Found natural repellents that are to be hit or missed in effectiveness and warned that botanicals had high concentrations on allergens, quickly wear and tear and possibly have them susceptible to tick and mosquito diseases. WircutterIn the meantime, referred to as a “terrible” essential oils as an error protection agent and sounded a warning about the unregulation of the industry.

Foggers and sprays

The same warning applies to chemical insecticides such as sprays and those that are supposed to coat vegetation. You definitely work to kill mosquitoes, but also the tendency to kill everything else, including helpful insects and mistakes that we actually like.

“Insecticide fog devices or Broadcast spray devices … usually contain pesticides that are known as pyrethroids or organophosphates that kill almost all insects with which they come into contact, including pollinators such as butterflies and honey legs,” says Buckner.

Coil coils

Mosquito coils work, but they also stink what makes them less ideal for an event on a meal basis. Which is even worse that research has shown that the smoke of mosquito coils can Increase your chances of lung cancer.

“Cocks that contain Aletrin, Metofluthrin and Transfluthrin are effective in defense against mosquitoes,” says Buckner. “However, concerns about the potential negative effects of breathing the smoke were expressed from burning the coils.”

Light mosquito traps

At some point you have probably seen “bug zapper”, these cylindrical or pagoda-shaped devices that ultraviolet lights use to attract flying insects and then electrocute. But they don’t take enough mosquitoes to cause something, and they contain a lot of collateral damage.

“Light mosquito traps will put on mosquitoes and catch, but it is unlikely that they put on enough mosquitos and catch to lead to a noticeable decrease in the number of mosquitoes,” says Buckner. “Many insects as well as mosquitoes such as moths and beetles are attracted to light sources that are used in light -based mosquito traps. As a result, many other insects are killed by light -based mosquito traps.”

What works to keep mosquitoes away?

Source reduction

The most effective thing you can do to ward off mosquitoes also needs most of the time and maintenance. If you have planned your grill in advance, you have enough time to convince your garden and remove and treat the places where mosquitoes like to lay your eggs: standing bodies of the water, no matter how small.

“Mosquetes need water to hatch and immature mosquitoes are aquatic,” says Buckner. “It is much easier to kill mosquitoes when they are immature instead of when they are adults.”

The best procedure is to throw out water from containers such as pet dishes, toys, buckets, flowerpot -tonssen, etc. and at least continue to do it weekly. For the water holding objects that you cannot really drain, such as bird baths and plants such as bromelia that catch water, you can use widespread pellets that contain larvae-killing bacteria that do not make the water unsafe for animals.

Fans

Mosquitoes are weak flyers and they find human goals by following the traces of carbon dioxide that we breathe. If the fans are set to a high speed, they not only make mosquitoes difficult to fly to them, but also distribute the carbon dioxide that the pests use as a roadmap for their bloodstream.

Topical repellates contained deet or other ingredients approved by CDC

Of course, topical repellents only work for the people they use and they do not want to reach the point where they rub the bug spray on people before giving them a bowl of potato salad. But contain topical rejection CDC-enclosed active ingredients Like Deet, Picaridin, IR3535, oil from lemon eucalyptus, para-mente-diaol and 2-anund canon are effective. Studies have also shown that mosquitoes seem to have been attracted to darker and lighter colors, so that they can also cover untreated body parts with loose, preferably light -related clothing (mosquitoes can bite through skin -tight clothing).

Spatial rejection devices with metofluthrin or transfluthr

In recent years, mosquito haters have been happy about the introduction of Thermacell products, which send a hemispherical protective dome with a diameter of up to 20 feet. These devices spray an invisible, odorless, unrestrained fog of mosquito packages that are safe for humans. Even better? You shouldn’t influence the taste of your chows.

“Spatial repulsive devices that contain Alethrin, Metofluthrin or Transfluthrin, such as Thermacell products, are effective to effectively deviate mosquitoes in a certain area that surrounds the device in calm weather conditions,” says Buckner, but the wind is that the wind can bubble away the protective zone. “Spatial repellents are most effective in situations if they don’t move much and there is little wind.

Conclusion: So what is the best mosquito repellent for grill evenings?

Ultimately, the best mosquito repellent depends on the specific circumstances to prepare.

“There is no single mosquito protection device or product that will work in all situations,” says Buckner. “There is no magical ball to control or ward off mosquitoes.”

This means that barbecues are inpatient matters unless they count burger flipper as a serious movement generally The best mosquito repellent for grilling is pretty clear.

“I recommend using spatial repellents with metofluthrin or transfluthrin if you stay in one place, like when grilling or eating outside on a veranda,” says Buckner. “You will not contaminate or change the taste of your food.”

And that is exactly what science is currently the best ways to keep mosquitoes from ruining your garden grille. Now all we have to do is find out how to solve the problem of your racist uncle.

May 2024