By Laurie Marcil
Member Services Manager
NOTO
West Nile Virus – The Lighter Side
This was passed onto me by a friend and I thought I would share it with all of you.
OK, mosquitoes...prepare to be repelled!!!!!
Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in Louisiana just wipe on & go...Great for Babies.
Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day April through October. He said it works. He was right. Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it. Every one he has talked into trying it works on them. Vitamin B-1( Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)
If you eat bananas, the mosquitoes like you, - something about the banana oil as your body processes it. Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes will be much less interested.
This is going to floor you, but one of the best insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods every day), is Vick's Vaporub.
Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off a smell that bugs do not like, so plant some in that garden also to help ward off bugs without using insecticides.
"Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time "camping out" say that the very best mosquito repellent you can use is Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol.
One of the best natural insect repellents that I've discovered is made from the clear real vanilla. This is the pure vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks, don't know about other insects.
And finally, when all else fails--get a frog!!!!
Don't forget, frogs, bats, sparrows and dragonflies eat millions of mosquitoes.....
Now Let’s Get More Serious About West Nile…
Francis and Caryn at Smoothwater Outfitters in Temagami sent us the following information.
Professor Surgeoner was interviewed about the West Nile virus on CBC Radio North, May 7, 2003. We then telephoned him and he sent the following info to us in an email. He replied specifically about north-eastern Ontario, but I believe the info is relevant to all of northern Ontario. Please pass it around.
Francis & Caryn
West Nile Virus & Its Potential Impact In Northeastern Ontario
There are no absolutes with respect to transmission of the West Nile virus, however-
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Most mosquitoes in northern Ontario are spring Aedes and are not known to be bridging species of the virus from birds to humans.
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Human cases of West Nile typically occur in late August/September, as the virus must build in the bird population before mosquitoes are likely to feed on infected birds and then feed on humans.
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The species of mosquitoes Culex sp. that feed on birds and cause the build up of the virus in birds are much less common in Northern Ontario.
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Because of cooler temperatures in northern Ontario and frosts sooner in the fall, there is less likelihood of a "build up of virus".
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So enjoy northern Ontario's great scenic beauty, use common sense (i.e. avoid bites and use repellents, if necessary). The risks from West Nile are extremely minimal.
Gord Surgeoner, Entomologist
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario
This article was taken from page 23 of NOTO's "The Outfitter" publication, May/June 2003 Issue
