The Top 4 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes from Biting You
It’s the biting question, what can we do to keep mosquitoes away. If you’re like me, you don’t like to use sprays. I just don’t like the greasy or oily…
A mosquito (Aedes flavescens) sits on an arm.
As part of a three-year project (CuliMoor), the FLI, together with the Greifswald Moor Centrum, wants to investigate the influence on mosquito occurrence. Mosquito traps have been set up south of the Peene estuary for this purpose. (to dpa: How do wet moors affect mosquitoes? Field work (Photo by Stefan Sauer/picture alliance via Getty Images)It’s the biting question, what can we do to keep mosquitoes away. If you’re like me, you don’t like to use sprays. I just don’t like the greasy or oily feeling on my skin, but the alternative is getting eaten up like a gazelle sitting in a field full of cheetahs.
So let’s try to answer the question by sharing what has worked to repel mosquitoes, what has not worked, and what false claims are out there.
Professor James Logan says that reports and Tik Tok posts about alcohol warding off mosquitoes are false. “You can drink gin and tonic if you want, but it’s not going to help at all. In fact, the bad news is that drinking alcohol makes you slightly more attractive to mosquitoes. The best thing you can do is to use a repellent. If you buy them in a supermarket or pharmacy, there are four active ingredients to look out for. One is called DEET, lots of people don’t like to use DEET but it is safe. One is called PMD or lemon eucalyptus - that’s a natural one - that’s really good. There’s one called picaridin and another one is IR3535. If you put that on your arm and you put your arm into a cage of mosquitoes none of them will bite you. But they do wear off over time so it’s good to be able to put it on like sun cream.” He also pointed out that if you miss any part of your body while applying any mosquito repellent, the mosquitoes will find that spot and bite you.
Here are some other ways that have been said to keep them away:
- Eating garlic
- Eating bananas
- Spicy Peppers
Also, the myth that eating grapefruit causes mosquitoes to be more attracted to you is false. It's also untrue that having a diet that includes a lot of tomatoes will cause you to be more attractive to bugs. And, Again, gin and tonic, NO!
11 Most Beautiful Lakes in America
America is known for many good things, from fast food to NFL football to land as far as the eye can see. Of course, you'll also find many beautiful lakes in America.
With so many lakes across the United States, you're probably within driving distance of a fantastic lake of some sort. So, which lakes are the absolutely best in America? It's a tough question. I mean, everyone looks for something different in a lake. Some people love large lakes that look almost like the ocean, while other thrive at small, inland lakes where you can always see the shore. But, there are some lakes that stand above the rest when it comes to beauty and popularity.
I've put together a list of the "11 Most Beautiful Lakes in America," offering a little bit of something for everyone. These lakes are found all across America, so wherever you live, one of these probably is relatively close to you. We're heading into the perfect season to visit a lake, too. For those who aren't lucky enough to live near the ocean, going to a lake is the next best thing. So, get your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and bikini or trunks and check out 11 lakes to visit. Find a USA travel guide here.
Seneca Lake, New York
Seneca Lake is the biggest of the 11 glacial Finger Lakes. It's 38 miles long and more than 618 feet deep, making it one of the deepest lakes in America. What's extra cool is that the U.S. Navy even does some testing for submarines in this lake, because of its depth.
Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming
If you've ever been to Yellowstone Park, you've probably visited Yellowstone Lake. The massive lake is a part of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. It's actually the biggest lake in the park and one of the biggest highly elevated freshwater lakes in North America.
Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
The famous Lake Tahoe is located right on the state line between California and Nevada. It's stunning, as it is surrounded by the glorious Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is the largest alpine lake in North America, making it a must-see lake.
Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
Here's a special lake located within the Nantahala National Forest and surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. This is also a very pure lake, as its shoreline is mostly protected from development. It's a beautiful destination for fishing, jumping in a canoe or kayak or a picnic.
Hanging Lake, Colorado
Hanging Lake is so glorious. It's located in the middle of Glenwood Canyon in the White River National Forest, and it's actually part of the Southern Rocky Mountains. This lake "was formed by a geologic fault which caused the lake bed to drop away from the valley floor above," according to the USDA Forest Service, and is a designated National Natural Landmark.
Lake Superior, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
The Great Lakes are, of course, some of the most famous lakes in the world. One that's often left of best-of lists is Lake Superior. It's the largest freshwater lake in the world and has a whopping 10% of the world's surface freshwater. Drink up.
Lake Michigan, Wisconsin/Michigan/Illinois
Lake Michigan is simply a landmark. It's actually the most deadly lake in America, due to the high volume of drownings. But, aside from the scary, it's a beautiful and large lake. The lake is spread over more than 307 miles, and there are many beach towns across those miles.
Lake Lanier, Georgia
Located in the northern part of Georgia, Lake Lanier runs nearly 40,000 acres. It stems from the construction of the Buford Dam. This lake is known for its super clear water. The water is actually crystal blue. How beautiful, right?
Lake Jocassee, South Carolina
Lake Jocassee is in the Appalachian Mountains, and it's actually a man-made reservoir. Its water flows from the mountains. This is another lake known for its very clear water, so you get to see all the fish and underwater creatures when you look down into the water flow.
Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Lake Okeechobee is the biggest freshwater lake in Florida. It's a very popular spot for largemouth bass fishing. Those who visit the lake get to learn the history and today's experience of the Seminole community at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which is a bonus.
Lake Erie, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York
The Lake Erie shoreline touches Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. The body of water offers some of the warmest waters you'll find in the Great Lakes. Lake Erie also offers some fantastic areas to swim, making it a popular vacation lake.
