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If it's wet where you're at in the outdoors, expect mosquitoes to be there.
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The nice thing about mosquito season is that there is no limit. Unfortunately there isn't much meat on the little buggers. Furthermore, in January here in the upper Midwest, I almost find myself longing to hear the buzzing of these pests in my ear during the humid dusk hours of summer.
All kidding aside, it is getting pretty vicious out there. The state health department has confirmed this year's first death from West Nile virus, and has accounted for 23 confirmed cases this summer. West Nile virus is extremely dangerous for those with weakened immune systems but can pose a threat to anyone's health.
With dove season and early goose season approaching, and no killing frost in sight, parking yourself by a waterhole in a few weeks will leave you susceptible to the swarms. What follows are some tips to keep the skeeters at bay.
Protect yourself
The obvious recommendation is to avoid high-activity times for mosquitoes as they are drawn out in search of food. However, if being out around dusk and into dark is going to be necessary for better fishing, scouting for deer or early-season hunting, be prepared or be bitten.
With nightly lows beginning to drop, covering up most of the body is easy and quite comfortable. A pair of jeans and a sweatshirt will allow you to fish or take nature walks with little bother from the bugs, and will also keep you warm on cooler evenings. Light gloves will help your hands remain bite free.
In case of extreme swarms, add a mesh face cover which can be purchased at nearly any outdoors sports supplier, such as Cabela's or Scheels. This guarantees a bite free body.
If it is a warm night, or you simply don't want to cover up, make sure to use ample amounts of insect repellent containing the chemical compound Deet.
These sprays are available in many household names such as Off Deep Woods or Cutter. Many have now reduced the noxious odor in their products, but still provide protection against bugs, including mosquitoes, horseflies and buffalo gnats.
There is one drawback to these sprays - their chemical scent. If just a trace of that chemical ends up on your hand, and your hand lands on your hook, you might as well kiss your late summer crappie outing goodbye.
Fish react in a highly negative manner to the chemicals in mosquito spray. I know this from experience, which is why I tend to cover up with clothing instead of spraying down. If you are going to use spray-on repellant, have someone else who is not going fishing spray it on the exposed parts of your body, as just the slightest trace can send the fish running in the opposite direction of your lure.
Fight the good fight
Although we do live in North Dakota, and it seems like a killing frost could happen at any time, don't expect Mother Nature to help in the war against the winged. Instead, take some steps to insure that mosquitoes don't set up a beachhead in your backyard.
One of the main things to do is prevent water from becoming stagnant on your property. If little Johnny's plastic swimming pool is becoming a bit green, tip it over and make sure all of the water is removed.
Also make sure to check there are no tires, fishbowls or other junk laying about that could collect rain and provide a breeding ground for these biting bugs. If you see little twitching worms about the size of rice grains floating around in standing water, get rid of it, or reap the whirlwind of mosquitoes when they hatch in just a few days. Remember, these insects can breed and turn from larvae to adults in a matter of days, and need only a matter of a few inches of water to do so.
To keep mosquitoes from hiding nearby, it is recommended to cut your lawn regularly. Mosquitoes live around the bases of tall grasses during the day and if no fields are nearby to support them, the longest lawn on the block will inherit the most mosquitoes. By keeping the lawn cut short, you can trimthe number of mosquitoes in your area.
If you notice any flu-like symptoms after a night in the woods, or feel achy, tired or out of sorts, contact a doctor immediately. As the sooner West Nile is addressed, the sooner it can be treated.
So be safe this summer regarding mosquitoes, whether it is to avoid a few itchy bumps or some well publicized problems. Cover up or spray down and do your part to help keep mosquitoes where they belong...in our outdoors.
