Enjoying the outdoors when the weather is pleasant can become bothersome if biting insects are part of the equation.However, not everyone wants to rely on chemical repellents to keep bugs at bay.There are some greener options that may be adequate for most daily situations.

Biting InsectsMosquitoes, biting flies and other

insects can be a nuisance when the weather warms. Though many bites create a mild reaction that subsides after a few days, some insects are harbingers of serious diseases. Malaria and West Nile virus are just two of the many maladies that can be hiding inside of the common mosquito.

According to Mosquito.org, only female mosquitoes feed on blood and bite their victims. The males feed on plant juices and nectar. Females need blood to feed their eggs and reproduce. When a mosquito bites, she injects chemicals to prevent blood from clotting and reduce pain.Afterward, however, these same chemicals can cause topical irritation.

Like mosquitoes, female tabanids, or horse and deer flies, also bite. Most prefer warm seasons and the warmth of daytime,but some species are most active at dawn or dusk. Tabanids bite deep and hard,potentially causing a lot of irritation.

Especially in early summer, swarms of small black flies can make life difficult for those who venture outdoors. Again,females of this species bite, but males may hang around and swarm when a female is nearby. Black flies need running water to feed larvae, so they differ in this respect from mosquitoes and other insects that grow from larvae in sitting water. Biting occurs during the day and may intensify before a thunderstorm.

Repelling InsectsThe standard bug repellent is one that

How to FightInsects the

Eco-Friendly Way

contains the product DEET. It was originally developed in 1946 for military use, but some have questioned its safety.The EPA says it has been associated with seizures in children, but this claim hasn’t been fully substantiated.

Still, many people prefer to look elsewhere for their repellents, preferring natural products. There are oils that can be extracted from different plants and herbs that provide short-term protection against many biting insects.

Citronella is one of the more effective natural repellents. It has been used for more than 50 years as an insect repellent and as an animal repellent. The oil is taken from dried, cultivated grasses. Pure citronella is most effective against bugs,more so than the synthetic varieties used in many candles.

Citronella is safe for human use and produces no threat to the environment when used correctly. It is generally applied to the skin and may cause mild irritation if used in abundance. Because some people find the smell of citronella off-putting, it can be mixed with lemongrass oil to minimize the smell. Lemongrass may also be another natural insect repellent.

Rosemary and cedar can also be tried as insect repellents. These are two other aromas that bugs find offensive.Individuals who spend time in the yard may want to plant rosemary nearby in garden beds to help repel insects in that respect. Rosemary is also multifunctional,as it is commonly used in cooking.

Other safe items to try as insect repellents include: sage, mint, neem oil,bay leaves, eucalyptus, and cloves

Individuals can experiment with these herbs and oils to produce a product that works for their repellent needs.

HOME and GARDEN

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CITIZEN’S NEWS Friday, May 6, 201116

HOME and GARDEN

It only makes sense to turn a little patch of your property into a personal supply of organic food.

Quality and cost-control are the top reasons to do it – and avid gardeners will tell you that there is a special kind of joy in planting, growing, picking and serving the freshest produce possible.

Today, approximately 30 percent of residential homes in North America cultivate a vegetable patch and most will tell you that the growing season can be full of surprises. Sometimes, the winter will leave much more moisture in the ground than the year before, but other times, drought will hamper your harvest and so will heat, insects, weeds and plant disease.

Insects and disease can be a serious problem when growing vegetables. If uncontrolled, they will destroy your prized collection of vegetables and flowers. The question is how do you effectively deal with these pests and still use a product that you can feel good about when it comes to your impact on the environment?

Researchers experiment tirelessly to produce a horticultural spray oil for year-round control of insects and disease. There are many formulas on the market for use in organic gardening that allows gardeners to feel good about spraying on flowers,fruits, vegetables, shrubs and trees. There are also herbicides for controlling weeds on lawns and walkways.

Here are a few quick tips to refresh your

Cultivate Your Own Bounty of Vegetables

start-up skills in the vegetable patch:

• Clean up: Clear your patch by remov-ing grass, rocks, or other debris.

• Till the soil: Add at least 6 centimetres of new vegetable garden soil to provide nutrients, improve drainage, and to pro -mote strong root growth.

• Plant at the right time: Early season vegetables include broccoli, carrots, let -tuce, peas, and spinach. By early June, you can plant the warm-weather vegetables like corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and pep - pers.

• Prevent weeds: Put a layer of mulch around the plants

• Control pests and disease: keep an organic-approved spray handy for insect and disease control. Information at: www.todaysclearchoice.com.

• Water: Keep seedlings moist by water - ing regularly.

• Harvest: Your bounty should growquickly from seedlings to a full harvest in less than 60 days.

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CITIZEN’S NEWSFriday, May 6, 2011 17

NAUGATUCK WINDOW & GLASS“Serving the Naugatuck Valley Since 1950”

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