Ways to Prevent the World’s Deadliest Animals from Biting You

Ways to Prevent the World’s Deadliest Animals from Biting You

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

The worst living animal does come in a small package. Yes, researchers have indicated the animal that kills the most humans in the world is the mosquito.

More than 725,000 people worldwide are killed by mosquito-borne diseases each year.

The most common mosquito-borne infection in Canada is the West Nile virus. This is why we need to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes in the first place and to learn about the best methods to safeguard your health.

Garden Design had an article by Christine Yoo published an article in Garden Design magazine where she listed 12 mosquito repellent plants. They include lavender, marigolds, citronella grass, catnip, rosemary, basil, scented geraniums, bee balm, mint, floss flower, sage, and allium.

Other research stated that smells mosquitoes don’t like are citronella, basil, peppermint, garlic, rosemary, lemon balm, lemongrass, and lavender, neem, marigold, catnip, bergamot, and eucalyptus.

These essential oils can be worn on your skin (but not on sensitive skin next to the eyes or other places) to keep mosquitoes away, but make sure you don’t wear ones that smell like perfume to avoid harming the health of someone who is allergic to perfume.

It was also noted that these oils repel mosquitoes but some can attract other insects; for example, mosquitoes dislike lemon balm but bees seem to love it so if you are in an area where there are a lot of bees, try not to wear lemon balm.

Studies also recommend wearing long pants, long sleeve shirts and blouses, socks, and shoes (not sandals). Loosefitting clothing and light colour clothing is good to wear too.

It is necessary to remove standing water because mosquitoes can breed in small amounts of water. So, it is advisable not to have items near your yard uncovered that can gather water and to dump or drain water from the tires that are standing around the yard, gutters, wheelbarrows, toys, pots, or planters.

A fan will also keep your deck free as mosquitoes do not like wind.

Hanging mosquito netting is another option or using mosquito rackets but the rackets must be used with care as the contact generates an electric flash of light and the insects are incinerated. A human can get burned from the racket if they touch the screen, so be careful.