CRITTERS of NORTH IDAHO
By CHRISTIAN RYAN
Press Correspondent
If you’re like most people in Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding areas, you probably like to spend this time of year outside. You may be trying to concentrate on a good book, attempting to get some work done, or just getting some rest and relaxation.
Then … you’ll hear that familiar nnnnnnn! Yes, summer is also the time of year for those pesky flying insects we all know as mosquitoes.
I know what you’re thinking: “How can there be anything good to say about mosquitoes? All they do is fly around, suck blood and spread diseases!” Well, if that’s your first impression when you saw the headline of this article, stay tuned. There’s a lot more to mosquitoes than meets the eye.
The word “mosquito” refers to the roughly 2,700 species of the culicidae family, 176 of which live in the United States. They’re actually a type of midge-like fly with large, compound eyes, long legs, a pair of veined wings, and a proboscis which they use to pierce the skin of their host and extract nutritious blood. Mosquitoes aren’t very big, only ¼ to ? inches long and weighing 2.5 milligrams on average.
Mosquitoes usually begin their lives in stagnant sources of water, from natural sources like ponds and puddles to manmade storm drains, old tires and birdbaths. Their childhood lasts 5-40 days depending on species, and they spend that time floating in the water, eating algae, bacteria and other microbes until they grow into their adult form.
How a mosquito locates a host is down to its sight and its unique ability to detect chemical signals — such as the carbon dioxide we exhale with every breath — from 82 to 114 feet away! As if this weren’t enough, they also can detect the infrared radiation that is given off by our warm bodies.
Once the mosquito finds a host, they move in for the stealthy approach. Swarming is beneficial to them because not only does it increase their chance of finding a host, but it also makes it harder for the host to repel all of them.
After the mosquito has closed in, she lands softly on her host and inserts her sharp proboscis into the host’s skin. Before she actually starts sucking the blood, she releases a concoction of proteins designed to induce inflammation and prohibit clotting; this keeps the blood flowing as long as the mosquito desires, taking as much as 5-millionths of a liter of blood during one feeding. Once finished, she flies off.
Did you notice that I referred to this blood-sucking insect as a “she” in that last paragraph? That’s because only female mosquitoes suck blood. And even then, they only do so when they need the extra nutrients to produce eggs.
The usual diet of the mosquito consists of nectar and other plant juices, and like bees and butterflies, they play an important role in … wait for it … pollination! Pollination is the method by which flowers reproduce.
Here’s how it works: Flowers produce delicious nectar to attract animals, in this case a mosquito. While the mosquito is drinking nectar, pollen sticks to its hairy body until the mosquito flies to another nectar-laden flower. This allows the flowers to exchange pollen and reproduce and gives the mosquito a free meal. It’s a win-win for mosquito and flower!
The next time you marvel at a beautiful flower, spare a thought for that little mosquito you may have squashed and swished away a few moments before, the same insect that may have given this flower life.
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Contact Christian at: animaladventures1314@gmail.com
DIY HOMESCHOOL PROJECT
All Natural Insect Repellent Spray ~ A Recipe
An insect repellent is definitely a nice thing to have around during the spring and summer months. Have you considered making your own? You save money, protect the earth and extremely important, keep toxic chemicals out of your body. You don’t want to use nasty chemicals like diethyltoluamide (DEET) in your body. DEET is present in many commercial insect repellents.
The essential oils and plant-based extracts help keep those pesky insects (mosquitoes), bugs, and flies away. The key is choosing essential oils that repel insects. Here are some excellent choices for essential oils: Cedar, Citronella, Clove, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Peppermint and Rose. Use ORGANIC whenever possible.
The essential oils MUST be mixed with a carrier oil. Here are some excellent choices for carrier oils: Grapeseed, Hemp Seed, Meadowfoam, Pomegranate Seed, Rosehip, Sweet Almond and Wheatgerm. Use ORGANIC whenever possible.
INGREDIENTS
2 Oz. Spray Bottle (Preferably not Plastic)
1 Oz. Witch Hazel
½ Oz. Sweet Almond Oil
½ Oz. Aloe Vera Gel
35 Drops Citronella Essential Oil
20 Drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
10 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
15 Drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
20 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or directly into a small spray bottle.
2. Shake well before use.
3. Reapply often, up to every 1-2 hours as needed.
NOTE:
Essential and carrier oils can be found at your local health food store or online. Not all natural repellents are created equal and what works for one person may not work for all.
This spray is safe for all members of the family 6 months and older.
DISCLAIMER:
For children 6 months to 2 years, please be sure to check with your doctor prior to using this or any other natural product. Apply sparingly on infants.
For adults, please check with your doctor before using this recipe. If you are uncertain about any of these ingredients, please be sure to test the spray on a small area of your skin.
Project provided by Angel Dominiq
angeldominiq13@gmail.com