In the News - August 2009
Avoid perfumes and avoid becoming bug bait
LITTLE ROCK - Perfumes and cologne may attract more than the opposite sex,
said Dr. Margaret Harris, assistant professor-health for the University of
Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
"If you're looking to avoid insects this summer, scents are a no-no," she
said. "Make sure not to wear any heavily scented soaps, perfumes, hair care
products or lotions because the smells attract the bugs to you."
While dining al fresco is hard to resist in the summer, food and garbage
scents also attract insects, Harris said.
Keeping the insects at bay means more than just a matter of preventing a few
itchy bumps. It can prevent diseases carried by insects.
"West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease are among the more well known insect-borne
threats," Harris said. "Preventing insect bites can be a life-saver."
The National Center for Infectious Diseases, part of the Centers for Disease
Control, has an extensive list of insect-borne diseases and reported infections
that includes:
- Mosquito-borne diseases - Eastern equine encephalitis (no
human cases reported in Arkansas between 1964-2008), West Nile
Virus (one case reported in Arkansas, 2009)
- Tick-borne diseases - Lyme disease (one case reported in
Arkansas, 2007), ehrlichiosis), Rocky Mountain spotted fever,
tularemia, Southern tick-associated rash illness
- Fleas - Plague
Non-chemical defense include wearing long sleeves and long pants.
"Try to wear light, neutral-colored clothing so as not to attract the bugs to you in the first
place," she said. "Insist that kids wear shoes when playing outside to avoid
fire ant bites."
It's hard to spend the Arkansas summer in the house, but Harris said
there are yard maintenance actions that can help reduce biting insect populations.
"Mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects live in wooded, brushy and grassy
areas," she said. "Chiggers love grass and weeds, so make sure the lawn is
clipped.
"Mosquitoes and fire ants like standing water, such as puddles, birdbaths, or
flower pots," Harris said. "Be sure to turn over containers so water doesn't
pool and try to fix any depressions that could collect water."
If wading through the brush is unavoidable, "treat clothing, shoes and
camping gear with permethrin," she said. "This repels and kills ticks,
mosquitoes and other insects. You can also buy pre-treated clothing."
Harris also advises buyers to be sure repellants are registered with the EPA
and that they contain no more than 10 percent DEET.
"You can spray the repellant on clothes and skin, but never on the face," she
said, adding "repellent should never be sprayed on babies."
Natural repellants, such a citronella, eucalyptus and tea tree oil are not
registered with the EPA, but many find these a more acceptable alternative to
other chemicals. While these ingredients are found in nature, they should never
be eaten or applied to food.
For more information about insects, visit www.uaex.edu,
or visit www.cdc.gov.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
August 14, 2009
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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