Add a Splash of Eco-Sense for Mosquito Control By Jean Ponzi
M
ost people don’t realize this hard biological fact: Pest control ads touting use of “eco-products” perpetuate assumptions that aerial sprayed chemicals only target insect “pests.” As advocates for native plants and insects, we have the knowledge and the will to educate others about mosquito abatement methods that don’t harm the ecosystem we work to
Priority One: Strategic personal shields
enhance. A personal focus on effective, strategic YouCan-Do is a powerful and healthy place to start. Is there a niche for chemical control of mosquitos? Yes, but NOT the silver bullet Fogging Truck or hired Mosquito Guy. We need Eco-Logic to inform and direct our chemical powers, to protect the health of pollinators, people and plants. Our communities can save a lot of money too.
Mosquitos are attracted by the CO2 we respire through our skin. Spray stuff where you most want a barrier to biting mosquitoes: Visualize this as a purple cloud, your personal CO2 aura. Every on yourself. Today’s range of repellants offer child-mild to super- body’s chemistry is different. Some of us are palest mauve, barely visible to mosquitos. Others are day-glow violet, flagging hungry strong protection. Do you know how personal repellants work? mamas in to nourish eggs with a blood meal. Mosquito repellant masks this aura of CO2. Key to success is testing and using the repellant that works for you. The intense synthetic chemical mask from DEET was a military innovation to protect U.S. troops in mosquito-infested tropics. For years, DEET was the only repellant recommended by U.S. EPA, though cautions came with the thumbs-up. DEET may be your repellant of choice for a deep woods or jungle expedition, or if you’re an ultra-violet beam of CO2. Milder chemical camouflage can come from active ingredients EPA now also recommends, including some directly obtained from plants. For example: Catnip Oil – a 2011 University of Iowa study found that Nepetalactone, a substance in Catnip (Nepeta cateria, in the super-scented mint family, Lamiaceae), is as, or more, effective a repellant than DEET. Imagine this plant’s aroma cloaking your CO2 – as it lures your cat. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus – contains p-Menthane 3.8-diol (pmd, also a specific EPA approved active ingredient for repellants), another strongly aromatic plant essence, not recommended for small children. Oil of Citronella – the stuff we burn in candles is distilled from two grass varieties with the active ingredients citronellol, citronellal, and geraniol.
How to evaluate? Read up and try some. The Environmental Working Group provides a good summary of mosquito repellant options and concerns. Bonus: CO2 obscuration repels ticks too. Two locally made plant-based repellants are Summer Spray from Cheryl’s Herbs in Maplewood and Citronella Mist made by Herbaria Soap on The Hill in south St. Louis. Both have a light minty scent that doesn’t linger, with no oily or cloying feel, and they don’t stain fabric. Both work for pale-plum me and I like using them 12
The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2021
