I love the summer.
I love being able to be outside. I love not being confined by heavy clothes. I love the sun and gardening. I love the sense of fitness that I always feel.
However…
This is why I hate mosquitos. See that nickle-sized swelling on my ankle? Every time I’m bit… pic.twitter.com/PBTI7IwG7n
— Penny Higgins (@paleololigo) July 7, 2013
Mosquitoes are my nemesis.
I’ve always reacted strongly and negatively to mosquito bites. They’ve always swollen up horridly, then itched for weeks. If they’re in a bad spot, like my knees or elbows, my joints will stiffen uncomfortably. And apparently I emit mosquito ‘bite me’ pheromones, because I need only step outside for a few minutes to get a half-dozen bites.
My arms and legs are marred with the scars of bites past. And more sadly than all of that is that my poor son seems to have inherited this terrible sensitivity.
So in the summer when I want to be outside, oftentimes I am not because I don’t want to be bitten. I find myself wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts to keep the bugs off, causing me to overheat and feel frumpy on top of that. Or, I have to coat myself in bug spray and stink of it, requiring multiple showers during the day.
I hate it.
But at least I’m warm…
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist 
I’ve heard, but cannot confirm, that pressing a hot spoon (i.e. cup of coffee hot) onto a mosquito bite neutralizes the protein that causes the allergic reaction. I’ll try it the next time I get bit someplace I can reach. (For some reason the little vampires in my neighborhood go for my upper back and my arms, but I can shoo them off of my arms.)
As for repellents, studies show that DEET really is the most effective.
I’ve seen reviews that say commercial mosquito traps do work, but they’re not cheap and require refilling with a chemical lure. Bug zappers don’t work because skeeters aren’t attracted to light.
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