Karen's Corner: Bug Bites?

Karen, a black woman with grey hair wearing glasses and a pink headband, is smiling at the camera. She's wearing a maroon tshirt and jean jacket

Karen is a regular reviewer and blogger for Day Undefined. In her series, "Karen's Corner," she invites you to join in her love of gardening and other hobbies, sharing tips on how to make them more accessible.

 

Bug Bites? I'm stopping by with a few quick tips to keep those pesky bugs away from you. It’s not just mosquitoes that can be a problem—sometimes tiny midges can cause some real trouble too!

I live in an area where mosquitoes are pretty common, but I never expected to get bitten by a midge. One day, while sitting in my container garden near the front door, I was bitten in the eye by a tiny midge. It was so painful, and my eyelid swelled up for days. The ER doctor actually saw a small chunk missing from my eyeball. I had lived there for 15 years without ever encountering one before! It was a scary experience, to say the least.

Here’s an article about midge bites if you want to learn more: https://www.healthline.com/health/fly-bites#biting-midges. There are plenty of other resources online as well.


How to Be Proactive and Avoid Insect Bites and Stings

  1. Remove standing water. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so eliminate any sources around your home. You can use mosquito dunks, which are safe for pets and plants, and available at most home improvement stores or online.
  2. Wear light-colored clothing. Dark colors tend to attract biting insects. A mosquito hat with netting can also help—mine was under $10 on Amazon.
  3. Burn mosquito repellent incense sticks. These are easy to use and effective. I like the "Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks" because they last up to 2.5 hours and come in different scents.
  4. Use tea tree oil. Before heading into the garden, mix a few drops of tea tree oil with your favorite lotion and apply it to exposed skin. It helps repel mosquitoes, gnats, and flies. Here’s a photo of my tea tree oil bottle:
Small glass container (100ml) of Tea Tree Essential Oil

I’ve found this method really works, especially when I’m spending time outdoors. It’s natural, affordable, and doesn’t have harsh chemicals.

Enjoy your garden!

Karen

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Have you tried any of these tips? Do you have questions? We’d love to hear from you—comment below!

 

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