Episode 384
Morning 6-Pack - Mosquito Madness: How to Keep Those Bloodsuckers at Bay!
Get ready to kick those pesky mosquitoes to the curb! This week, we’re dishing out the 411 on how to keep those little bloodsuckers from turning your backyard BBQ into a buffet. We’re diving into the nitty-gritty of mosquito prevention, like why your old tires and flower pots are basically five-star hotels for them. Plus, I’m serving up laughs with our top six signs that this year’s mosquito population is off the charts, including the shocking revelation that they might just be plotting a dinner party with your citronella candles! So grab a cold drink, tune in, and let’s outsmart those tiny vampires before they crash the summer fun! 🦇✨
Takeaways:
- Mosquitoes are like those annoying party crashers who just won’t leave you alone!
- Standing water is a mosquito's dream vacation spot—don't let your yard be their Airbnb!
- Long sleeves and bug spray might not be stylish, but they’re your best pals against mosquitoes!
- A box fan can totally ruin a mosquito's day—it's like a no-fly zone for those little pests!
- Citronella plants are great, but don’t expect them to be a magical force field against mosquitoes!
- Watch out for those six signs of a mosquito invasion—they might just be planning a dinner party at your expense!
Transcript
It's Haystack with some guidance on how to prevent mosquitoes or at least lower them a little bit, because mosquito season is here.
Speaker A:It peaks July through September in Arkansas.
Speaker A:And We've seen over 60 cases of the West Nile virus in the United States.
Speaker A:Only one in Arkansas so far, two in Oklahoma.
Speaker A:Mosquitoes obviously are worse over in the Mississippi River Delta, the eastern Arkansas, but there are definitely mosquitoes around here.
Speaker A:And, and you don't want to, you know, you don't want to walk outside for 11 seconds and then come back in looking like you lost a fight with a waffle iron.
Speaker A:So according to experts, step one is stop breeding them in your own backyard.
Speaker A:And I know you don't mean to, but mosquitoes love standing water.
Speaker A:So buckets, flower pot saucers, bird baths, kids toys, old tires, trash can lids, tarps, pet bowls.
Speaker A:If it holds water, it's basically a mosquito Airbnb with a free continental breakfast.
Speaker A:They're going to be all over it.
Speaker A:The CDC says once a week you should empty and scrub all, all of it.
Speaker A:If it holds water, turn it over, cover it up, throw it out.
Speaker A:Not just dump it, scrub it.
Speaker A:Because mosquito eggs can cling to the sides.
Speaker A:Like that one clingy friend who won't leave the party.
Speaker A:And if you've got rain barrels or water containers, you got to keep those things tightly covered.
Speaker A:Now, when it comes to personal protection, look for EPA registered repellents.
Speaker A:Ingredients.
Speaker A:Of course, everyone's heard of deet.
Speaker A:What is it?
Speaker A:Picard, Picard, Picaridin.
Speaker A:I can't pronounce it.
Speaker A: IR: Speaker A:You've got a PMD.
Speaker A:Other stuff, the big thing here, follow the label.
Speaker A:Don't just hose yourself down like you're seasoning a brisket, okay?
Speaker A:Follow the label.
Speaker A:Also, no one wants to hear it during the summertime, but long sleeves, long pants and socks.
Speaker A:And especially at dusk at the peak of activity.
Speaker A:And I know it's summertime, but you don't want to dress like a Vatican ghost.
Speaker A:But mosquitoes love ankles.
Speaker A:Your ankles are like they're golden Corral.
Speaker A:Okay, so cover the ankles up.
Speaker A:Fix your window and door screens.
Speaker A:Close the garage door.
Speaker A:Do not leave doors propped open.
Speaker A:Mosquitoes may be tiny little vampires, but unlike vampires, they do not need a formal invitation to come into your home.
Speaker A:They see an open door, they start a family reunion in the laundry room.
Speaker A:And the best low tech trick, and this is one I did not know until I did research to spread some knowledge.
Speaker A:But the best low tech trick, the fan.
Speaker A:Mosquitoes are actually very weak fliers.
Speaker A:And so if you're hanging out on the patio, just a box fan can absolutely mess them up.
Speaker A:It's not glamorous, but neither is slapping your calf every six seconds during a cookout.
Speaker A:And also, don't put too much faith in the miracle plants, okay?
Speaker A:Just having some citronella and lavender and mint around not enough.
Speaker A:It's not a force field.
Speaker A:Doesn't really do that much.
Speaker A:So there you go, the mosquito prevention plan.
Speaker A:Pretty simple.
Speaker A:Dump the water, screen the house, run a fan and wear repellent.
Speaker A:And most importantly of all, watch out for these six signs that the mosquitoes are really bad this year.
Speaker A:Best way to start your day, these six jokes.
Speaker A:He's about to say, listen up for old heads back.
Speaker A:Crack open the mower.
Speaker A:Six pack the six signs.
Speaker A:Mosquitoes are really bad this year.
Speaker A:Number six, after filling up, they ask you for a doggy bottle.
Speaker A:Number five, a swarm just carried away a lawn chair.
Speaker A:Number four, the show offs are flying in formations.
Speaker A:Number three, they're openly discussing your cholesterol levels, little buggers.
Speaker A:Number two, your citronella candle has become mood lighting for their evening dinner party.
Speaker A:And the number one sign, the mosquitoes are really bad this year.
Speaker A:They're all wearing tiny little bibs.
Speaker A:It.
