Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

By Harlan Levy

We were sitting outside watching “The Taming of the Shrew” performed on the University of Saint Joseph campus Saturday night at the Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival when I heard a familiar unwelcome buzz near my ear similar to the musical note A. But the only musician playing the note was a mosquito. I automatically slapped my ear, missing him or her.

Yup. It’s mosquito season again. No one should be surprised that the heavy rains and high humidity and heat have been a boon to mosquito families.

But is the season worse than prior years?

No, said Philip Armstrong, director of the statewide mosquito surveillance program, surprising me.

“As of mid-July, mosquito trap collections are roughly average compared to prior years but certain species are more abundant than usual,” he said. “Specifically,  the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis virus are well above average.

EEE cases have severe neurologic signs and have up to 95% fatality risk. WNV cases are milder with a 22-44% case fatality risk. Both are spread by infected mosquitoes and can cause severe brain inflammation in horses, donkeys, and – last but not least – people.

To the relative relief of West Hartford residents, West Nile virus in mosquitoes has been found only in a number  of towns in lower Fairfield County and New Haven County, Armstrong said, adding that  EEE virus has not been detected in Connecticut this year but positive mosquitoes were reported from Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Best OTC mosquito repellant

Armstrong recommends only mosquito repellents that are registered with the EPA and contain the following active ingredients, proven to be safe and effective:

• DEET
• Picaridin
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), a plant-derived ingredient
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone—A plant-derived ingredient

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, you should:

• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.

Homemade repellants

The most common essential oils for fighting mosquitoes include citronella, catnip, clove, peppermint, oil of lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass, geraniums, eucalyptus, basil, clove, thyme, tea tree, clary sage, rosemary, and lavender oils.

According to Medicine.net and other similar online sources, these essential oils, natural and plant-based, can be very potent and should be mixed with a carrier before being applied to the skin. Popular carriers are apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, and coconut oil. Use fractionated coconut oil instead of regular coconut oil and it won’t solidify like regular coconut oil will.

Recipes

Witch hazel:

• ⅓ cup witch hazel
• ⅓ cup water
• 40 drops essential oil
• Shake mixture in small spray bottle.

Apple cider vinegar:

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup water
• 40 drops essential oil.
• In a spray bottle add to the mixture 40 drops of essential oil. Rosemary, lavender, and peppermint counter the strong scent of the vinegar. Shake well.

Coconut oil:

• ⅔ cup coconut oil (warmed to a liquid state or use fractionated)
• 30 drops essential oil
• Add the coconut oil to a small, lidded jar (Coconut oil will clog a spray bottle). Add 30 drops of essential oil. Mix or shake and apply the mixture by hand.

Rubbing alcohol:

• ½ cup water
• 4 Tbsp rubbing alcohol
• 40 drops essential oil
• Combine in spray bottle and shake well.

Use glass bottles, not plastic, because the oils break down plastic.Homemade mosquito repellent does not last as long as commercial repellents and must be reapplied every couple of hours.

Now you know.

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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