Keeping Insects Away

Keeping Insects Away

In recent years, we’ve been hearing about an increase in the number of black-legged ticks in Ontario – the type of ticks that carry Lyme disease. As well, scientists warn of a notable increase in mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. And of course, summer in our province includes other insects that bite and sting, such as blackflies, horseflies, deerflies, wasps, red ants, biting midges, and stable flies, all of which can make your summer experience less enjoyable. Here are some ways to keep Ontario’s tiny biting creatures away from your family members!

Your Environment

Although it’s not always possible to stay away from the places where insects buzz, it may be possible to tweak your own backyard or cottage environment in order to have fewer of them around where you live. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, so don’t keep a rain barrel or a build a still pond near where your family will be sitting or playing outdoors. Keep an eye out for other places where standing water may be hiding: pet dishes, birdbaths, empty plant pots, old tires, clogged eaves or drains, or tarps. Planting mosquito-repelling plants such as lavender, lemongrass, catnip, marigolds, and basil also helps to show mosquitoes that they’re not welcome!

Ticks like thick foliage and they often arrive via wild animals who are attracted to tall grass and bushes. If you want to cut down on the number of ticks in your yard, here are some techniques from the Centres for Disease Control that will help you to make the space less hospitable for them:

• Clear tall grasses and brush.
• Place a barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas and around patios and play areas. About one metre (3 feet) is recommended. (Note: Cedar chips are also unattractive to moths, termites, and mosquitoes.)
• If you have a grass lawn, mow it frequently, trim the edges, and keep any leaves raked.
• Stack firewood neatly, in a dry area to discourage rodents that may carry ticks.

• Place playground equipment, decks, and patios away from trees, in a sunny location.

• Remove any objects such as old furniture or vehicles that may provide ticks with a place to hide.

Other actions that will help to keep insects away from your yard include:

• Building a bat house.
• Attracting birds with feeders or birdhouses.
• Removing attractants such as garbage cans.
• Lighting citronella candles.
• Turning on a fan.
• Replacing ordinary bulbs with “bug” lights.
• Lighting a backyard firepit.

Wear light-coloured clothing, and avoid wearing perfumes and lotions. And of course, remember to put a fine mesh net over the baby’s playpen or carriage, and to keep any food covered.

Insect Repellents

There may be some times when you are in an environment where insects are prevalent – when you are camping or fishing, for example. In these situations, you may want to use commercial insect repellent. Here are a few of the most effective products available for you to use:

• Repellents containing DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide). Developed by the US Army, DEET products have been available since 1957. It’s important to use the correct concentration to maximize effectiveness and safety. Health Canada’s guidelines suggest not using DEET on infants, and limiting their use on children to once per day (and not on a daily basis for more than a month.)

• Repellents containing Icaridin (a.k.a. Picardin). This is a synthetic ingredient modelled after a pepper extract which is fairly new to North America, but which has been in use in Europe for many years.
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (also related: p-Menthane-3,8-diol or p-Menthane-3,8-diol). These products should not be used on children under three years of age.
• Metofluthrin. Usually used in clip-on disks. Effects similar to DEET.

And here are some that are less effective, according to Consumer Reports magazine:

• "Natural" insect repellents containing essential plant oils such as cedar, citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary.
• Combination sunscreen-insect repellents.
• Products containing low concentrations of the active ingredient.

No matter which insect repellent you choose, it’s important to know how to apply it safely. Here are some guidelines:

• Always read the entire label carefully and follow directions.
• Avoid overexposure; do not apply too often.
• Do not apply on children if contraindicated.
• Store products out of reach of children and pets.
• Use only in well-ventilated areas outdoors.
• Don’t let children apply it to themselves.
• Don’t use too much.
• Wash repellent off once you go indoors.
• Do not use on irritated skin or open wounds.
• Do not spray directly on face; spray into your hand and apply to face.
• Don’t apply to a child’s hands.
• Don’t apply inside a tent or near food.