How truck drivers can avoid mosquito bites this summer

Mosquitoes have always been a summer reality, but with the advent of the Zika virus and the West Nile virus now endemic in California, their dangers suddenly seem to loom larger in today’s world.

But don’t fret just yet. There are things people with CDL driver jobs can do to prevent themselves from getting bitten, even when they’re outdoors.

1. Choose the Right Clothes

The right clothes can go a long way toward reducing bites.

Try to cover as much skin as possible. Clothing with a close weave works best to prevent bites, but layered loose-weave clothing works almost as well, says Joe Conlon, medical entomologist and technical adviser to the American Mosquito Control Association.

And because bugs are attracted to dark colors, go for clothes in white, beige or light khaki colors, he says.

2. Use the Right Bug Spray

When it comes to sprays, not all brands are created equal. Consumer Reports found that the most effective repellents for warding off Aedes mosquitoes were Sawyer Picaridin and Natrapel 8 Hour, each of which contain a 20 percent concentration of the chemical picaridin. Another good one is Off! Deepwoods VIII, which contains 25 percent of the chemical DEET.

Consumer Reports cautions against using many so-called “natural” repellents, using citronella, clove, lemongrass or rosemary oils. These products might smell nice, but they won’t keep mosquitoes away for long, and many aren’t registered with the EPA.

3. Stop Mosquitoes at Home

To steer clear of the West Nile-carrying Culex mosquitoes, it’s best to stay indoors at dawn and dusk when they are most active.

To eliminate mosquito breeding grounds from your yard, dump or drain water that’s been standing for several days in flower planters, pet dishes, birdbaths, neglected swimming pools and remove old tires, tin cans or buckets.

If you want to enjoy your patio or deck in the evening, Conlon suggests illuminating it with yellow “bug lights” instead of incandescent white lights. While the yellow lights don’t necessarily repel mosquitoes, they don’t attract them as the white lights do.

For more tips, read the rest of the story here.

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