Skeeter advice: Wear repellent, avoid perfumes
Health
Flooding, heavy rains and summer heat have produced a bumper crop of pesky mosquitoes, particularly in the waterlogged Midwest. Here's how experts recommend avoiding the bugs and treating their bites:
_Wear insect repellent containing deet, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus and apply it frequently.
_Drain standing water from backyard bird baths, discard old tires and other containers that trap water, and frequently replace water in kiddie pools.
_Avoid going outside from dusk to dawn, peak activity times for some mosquitoes.
_Avoid dark clothes, which can absorb heat and make you more visible; choose neutral colors that blend in with the environment.
_Avoid perfumes and sweet-smelling lotions and cosmetics, including lavender scents, which attract mosquitoes.
_Perspiration is a lure, so wash after exercising or sweating heavily.
_Antihistamine tablets taken throughout mosquito season or after being bitten can help reduce bumps and itchiness.
_Hydrocortisone creams and other over-the-counter anti-itch treatments sometimes help reduce discomfort.
Terra/AP
