ellen 
Mosquitoes are bad this time of year, and with all the rain, they’re fierce. What attracts them to me and you? Here are some interesting things I’ve found on how they find us.
- our exhale, a mixture of carbon dioxide and octenol, that they can detect 100 feet away
- body heat
- lactic acid, produced when we exercise
- moisture from our breathe
- wearing dark colors
Now, what do to to keep them away
- burn citronella (this only produces carbon dioxide, not the combo with octenol that attracts the skeeters)
- be a hippie, wear natural oils of citronella, lemon eucalyptus, patchouli, and clove (please dilute in jojoba oil and water to not irritate your skin)
- other oils may help too, like peppermint, cedar, lemongrass, rosemary, lavender, catnip, thyme, and sage
- wear light colors, and light weight clothing to cover arms and legs
- remove all stagnant water from the garden (change the bird bath often)
- build a fire, smoke ’em out!
- BEST BET: Bring out an oscillating fan. Blows them away with it’s breeze and cools you off in the meantime.
(our friends at the University of Wisconsin have done great research on this topic)
