In last weeks Safety Corner I talk a little about bugs. After being attacked by mosquitos while working on an antenna and listening to a radio program on Lyme disease, I decided to dedicate this week to avoiding pests. There are several things we can do to help avoid being bitten while we operate in a remote location or in our backyard.
Our first line of defense is bug spray. There are many products to choose from. I prefer one that contains DEET. It should be listed on the bottle in the active ingredients, with a percentage. Most sprays that have DEET will help repel mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, and chiggers. Apply repellent all over your body. If it is an aerosol, spray it on your hands and then rub it on your face and neck. Do not spray it at your face.
Refillable yard torches work well. Usually you need at least 2. I have 3 and like to make a triangle around the area where I’m operating. Make sure the fuel is made to repel bugs. Follow the instruction from the manufacture and keep torch away from anything flammable.
If you are hiking or operating at a remote location, bug spray helps; but, you may want to wear a light long sleeve shirt and long pants. Once, while in a swamp, the mosquitoes were so thick I had to tuck my pants in my socks to keep them from going up my pant legs. This was not very stylish, but it worked very well. This also helps with ticks.
Stay out of the brush and on the trail if possible. After hiking with the family we always do a tick check. Usually my teenage son has more problems with ticks than me and my wife, because we don’t play in the bushes. Chiggers also like the brush and bushes.
A simple defense for mosquitoes around the house in to make sure you don’t have any standing water. Even a little amount can be a breeding ground for these pests. Simply go around your yard and pour out any water that is in any container. Old tires are always loaded with mosquitoes. Many cities have a pick up for old tires if you call them.
Hopefully this information will make your summer projects and trips more enjoyable. Comment below on some of the ways you combat bugs. Stay Safe!
Links
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/index.html
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The Repel 40% DEET pictured is both one of the most affordable and concentrated bug sprays available that I’ve found.
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