Soon, the mosquitoes will be hovering once again. Perhaps they will be a little more dysfunctional than usual, having been teased into an early existence by the March heat wave. Will the same mosquitoes resurface? Will they ponder whether their March sojourn was all a dream? Will they be confused and more ‘off the wall’, and in ‘attack’ mode.
They were certainly very real back in March. I had to escape indoors!
I do not consider using Deet as my weapon, but many people do. Some people are in rather desparate situations. But if we think about the fact that Deet can melt plastic, and then think about spraying Deet on our skin. Yikes!!!
Products containing DEET are now required to carry labels, which specify:
-Do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
-Do not apply to hands or near eyes and mouth of young children.
-Do not allow young children to apply this product.
-After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
-Do not use under clothing.
-Do not spray in enclosed areas.
This is pretty scary stuff. Health Canada may ban products containing over 30% DEET, but should it be banned altogether?
Deet is thought to be partly responsible for the Gulf War Syndrome.
ABC PrimeTime Live segment reported the stories of Tim Christiansen, who at 26 years old, died after using DEET twice one summer day in 1994; and of Elijah Harrison, an 8-year-old boy whose mother sprayed him with a 25% DEET product once a day for two days – he still suffers from seizure.
While some people appear to be OK…others develop rashes, hives, muscle spasms or twitches.
Our children are most vulnerable.
Let’s rethink mosquito bites. And natural ways to deal with them.
Since mosquito season is just around the corner, (again) please share with us WHAT YOU DO to avoid being bitten.
Please comment. We need your help.
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