Attention moms:
Are you sick and tired of Mother Nature’s most annoying pest putting a major damper on your summer fun? Do the irritating buzzy bugs haunt your dreams? Is it a wish of yours to one day wake up without a single skeeter on the planet?
If you’re anything like us and can’t stand the icky little bloodsuckers and the damage they cause (especially to our tiny tots), then we say it’s time to wage war on the biting insects once and for all!
In this post, we’re exploring mosquitos to uncover why they attack and how to prevent them from biting.
So if you’re ready for itch-free days: keep reading.
Mosquitos 101: What You Need To Know
Your kids love to watch butterflies float on by. Mosquitoes… not as much.
Arguably the most despised critter in the world, these parasites are a real pain. They uninvitedly land on our precious babies only to nip, suck blood, and when they’re full and happy, the rude bugs buzz off, leaving nothing behind but a red, itchy welt.
Just like dine and dash, but for mosquitoes, these pesky suckers seem to find a way to leave behind an itchy mosquito bite no matter what we do.
Are your little ones covered and smothered in smelly bug spray from dusk to dawn? Mosquitoes are still very capable of finding a tiny spot you didn’t catch and attack it with glee.
Are your kiddos hiding inside? When there’s a will, there’s a way, and in this case, the biting bug’s will is to irritate our children and us adults. In other words, mosquitos can quickly sneak indoors with ease. Childproof locks may work on our toddlers, but not so much on these winged menaces.
It’s time to reconsider the old wives’ tales we grew up with. For example, eat a whole bunch of garlic? Yeah, we’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this old remedy has been debunked.
Even iconic and useful tactics like using mosquito netting, eliminating standing water, and various bug traps, while helpful, are just the bare minimum for your arsenal.
It's time to call on the real muscle: The Natural Patch Co.
Fight Mosquitoes
Regardless of how much effort we invest to avoid getting bitten, the summer lovin’ insects will keep attacking unless we bite back! That being said, before we dive into mosquito patterns and how to prevent them, let’s discuss why it’s so important to protect ourselves and our little ones from mosquitoes in the first place.
When you think about the winged beasts, what’s the first thought that comes to mind? Is it their long creepy legs? The relentless whisper of a buzz that seems to always be near your ear? Or perhaps it’s the notorious itchy bug bites that they leave after biting your babies.
While these are all common things that you may think of when you hear the word mosquito, what you really should be thinking about is the number of life-threatening viruses and infections they can carry and transmit.
Diseases from Mosquitoes
Flipping to the news channel can reveal the startling effects of these bugs:
- Yellow Fever
- Malaria
- Dengue Fever
- West Nile Virus
- Zika Virus
- Chikungunya Virus
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
Despite their itty-bitty size, skeeters are considered the world’s deadliest animal. They contribute to more than one million deaths every single year.
When we think of threats to our children, we tell them to wash their hands as part of a disease control practice. However, adult mosquitos are a real threat, especially in certain parts of the globe, but even the suburbs aren’t safe from these bugs.
You see, a mosquito kills people by spreading disease through their bite. And if not caught soon enough, the disease can become deadly.
Danger Signs
Signs and symptoms tend to vary depending on the mosquito-borne disease. If you notice any of the following on your child after they are bit, make an appointment with your pediatrician as soon as possible.
Keep an eye out for:
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Rash (like blisters and hives)
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
In addition to the possibility of catching a mosquito-borne illness, these nasty bugs can cause quite a bit of trouble for kids. As parents, we know itching a bug bite will just make it worse. Our little ones are more prone to scratch and scratch, which not only can make the bite site worse but can cause scarring.
What’s more, some kiddos tend to get it much worse than others, developing an allergic reaction to the bite that causes the area to swell up, resulting in a whole lot of discomfort and tears. This reaction is caused by a response to a mosquito's saliva.
However, male mosquitos are harmless; the female of the species is the one we need to worry about. The female mosquitoes need the protein in the blood to help produce healthy eggs.
Patch it Up
From itching and swelling to blistering and bruising, kids are particularly vulnerable to bites — which is exactly why we created our revolutionary Magic Patches for instant itch-relief (you’re welcome).
The world’s #1 all-natural, non-spray, non-chemical magical relief from itches and bites, these patches are pure magic (and essential oils).
Using our innovative grid-relief technology that gently lifts the skin to help the lymphatic system drain the biochemicals that cause the itchy sensation, Magic Patch is a game-changer and a must-have in every mama’s arsenal.
When Bugs Attack — And What To Do
So, why do mosquitoes attack anyway?
We often say our kids are so cute we could eat them up. Of course, we are joking, but mosquitos are taking this sentiment quite literally.
How do these bugs find our children? Through the power of smell.
Similar to how you might favor the sweet scent of honeysuckle over the floral scent of flowers, mosquitoes prefer certain scents over others. And if your kids happen to emit that oh-so-delicious skeeter-lovin’ scent — the icky bugs will attack.
Let’s break it down:
Despite what many people may think, mosquitoes aren’t necessarily drawn by the sweet aroma of blood. Yes, it is your blood that they are after, but it’s really the carbon dioxide you exhale that makes the winged beasts beeline toward you.
In addition, mosquitoes are attracted to certain compounds that are present on the skin and in sweat. These compounds give us a unique odor that can essentially ring the dinner bell for the little bloodsuckers. However, not everyone has an odor that is attractive to skeeters — hence why one child is a mosquito magnet while their siblings are not.
Interestingly, there is research suggesting that some blood types are preferable to mosquitos. Those with Type O blood are more prone to be pinched and prodded (much worse than their grandma pinching their cheeks).
A Sticker a Day Keeps the Mosquitos Away
Mosquitoes attack because they’re looking for a nutritious blood meal to support reproduction. Thankfully, a simple way to keep the biting bugs away is with BuzzPatch — our all-natural mosquito repellent stickers!
Being a parent is hard. Keeping biting bugs away isn’t, especially when you have The Natural Patch Co. in your corner. Our plant-based stickers are infused with powerful essential oils like Citronella and Lavender designed to confuse mosquitoes and hide your kids from their senses.
Made with you and your tiny tots in mind, BuzzPatch is perfectly safe and made without any gross chemicals or icky ingredients. And unlike topical sprays that contain DEET or Picaridin, our kid-friendly patches are not only super easy to apply but environment-friendly!
To prevent mosquito attacks, simply place one of our fun plant-based stickers on your favorite mini human’s clothes, and voila! Perfect for all of your outdoor adventures and kiddos of all ages — finally, a safe and effective way to keep the attacking bugs at bay.
Ready To Bite Back?
Gone are the days of sticky sprays, smelly chemicals, and toxic insect repellents. With our award-winning revolutionary patches, you can finally keep your kiddos safe from mosquitoes: no mess, no fuss, and most importantly, no itchy bug bites!
Here at The Natural Patch Co., we know how tough it can be to prevent hungry bugs from feasting on our kids. Thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we also know about the dangers of harsh chemicals like DEET and Picaridin. That’s why we created our plant-based repellent patches, BuzzPatch.
Made from the most effective essential oils to fight mosquitos, the powerful patches confuse the biting bugs by emitting a particular scent that makes kids virtually undetectable to them. Simply apply a mess-free sticker to your tiny tot's clothes and allow BuzzPatch to work its magic.
Whether you’re playing in the backyard, on a hiking trip, or camping in the great outdoors, you can count on us to provide you with a safe and effective way to keep the hungry mosquitos far, far away!
Sources:
Mosquito-Borne Diseases (for Parents) | Kids Health - Nemours | Kids health
Fighting the World's Deadliest Animal | CDC
Is DEET Bad for You (and Your Kids)? | Health Cleveland
Mosquito bites - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic
Unseen Suburban Danger: Children Dying of Mosquito-Borne Diseases | Wired
People with O type blood are more attractive to mosquitoes? | University of Melbourne
