Mosquito Moon

The Okanagon Indians who lived along the Columbia River called July's full moon BLOOD MOON because the mosquitoes were especially bad at that time. Several studies have since linked increased mosquito activity with a full moon, and one study reportedly determined that mosquitoes actually increased their biting by 500% during a full moon. I haven't been able to find the study to verify that, but I'll take the Okanagon Indians' word for it because the full moon occurs on July 15 this year, and the mosquitoes around Spring Lake have been crazy busy taking their "blood meals." Of course, eliminating our standing body of water is not an option in controlling the mosquitoes, but in addition to using your favorite natural or commercial repellent, knowing these mosquito facts* may make you less attractive to these pesky vampires:

• Mosquitoes find hosts by sight (they observe movement); by detecting infra-red radiation emitted by warm bodies; and by chemical signals (they're attracted to carbon dioxide and lactic acid, among other chemicals).
• Bigger people are often more attractive to mosquitoes because they are larger targets and they produce more mosquito attractants, namely CO2 and lactic acid.
• Women are usually more attractive to mosquitoes than men because of the difference in hormones between the sexes.
• Blondes tend to be more attractive to mosquitoes than brunettes.
• Smelly feet are attractive to mosquitoes, as is Limburger cheese.
• Dark clothing attracts mosquitoes.

So...wash your feet, dye your hair, increase your testosterone level, drape yourself in a white sheet, crouch down to make yourself smaller, stay cool and STILL...and you can enjoy Spring Lake tomorrow at dusk, in spite of the mosquitoes.
Let me know how that works for you.

* Mosquito facts courtesy of the American Mosquito Control Association