How to Protect Yourself and Yours Kids from West Nile Virus by Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach

2.Stay inside at dawn and dusk, especially when the air is calm.

This is the favorite time for the females, the biter.

3.Mosquitoes love carbon dioxide (CO2) and lactic acid.

According to Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. (chemistry), we emit more CO2 when we’re hot and after we’ve been exercising. Burning candles and fires also emit CO2. We emit more lactic acid when we’ve been exercising, and after having eaten salty foods or foods high in potassium.

4.Wear light, loose clothing that covers the body.

Mosquitoes prefer dark clothes. Mosquitoes prefer certain skin temperatures, often our hands and feet, because they’re cooler, so wear socks and shoes.

5.Mosquitoes are worse in urban areas.

Chicago, Detroit and Boston have been high on the list. This is mainly because there are more people and also more discarded tires.

6.Mosquitoes are attracted to floral and fruity scents, and sweat.

The moisture and chemical mix of human perspiration is a big lure. Obviously don’t wear perfume, but consider as well: sunscreen, suntan lotion, deodorant, hair spray, and the use of fabric softener on your clothing.

7.Mosquitoes appear to be repelled by some natural oils.

Citronella, castor, rosemary, lemongrass, cedar, peppermint, clove, and geranium. Bear in mind that “natural” doesn’t always mean “safe,” and individuals have different reactions to these natural oils.

8.Don’t let them get into your house; they’re just as happy to bite you inside as out.

Get screens up and keep them repaired, when you leave the house, open and close doors quickly, and educate your children about keeping doors closed.

9.Insect repellers bring mixed reviews, but here are two that appear to work well:

(1) Mosquito Dunks, which kill them before they’re big enough to bite, available at: http://www2.yardiac.com

(2) Mosquito magnet ® which “mimics a human by emitting a plume of carbon dioxide, heat and moisture, and a short-range attractant, octenol, which is irresistible to female mosquitoes,” available here: http://www.funbackyard.com .

10.The most susceptible populations to any virus, including West Nile, are children, seniors and anyone with a compromised immune system.

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BIO:

©Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . I offer coaching, Internet courses, teleclasses and ebooks around emotional intelligence. I train and certify EQ coaches. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for information on this fast, affordable, comprehensive program with no residency requirements. For FREE EQ ezine, email me and put “ezine” for subject line.

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