Category: Health

Why Are There So Many Mosquitoes In My House & Yard? 3 Easy Fixes!

Is your house and yard infested with mosquitoes? Does it seem like they’re waiting for you outside your door? Let’s face it: Mosquitoes are annoying – but don’t despair! If you’re asking yourself, “Why are so there many mosquitoes in my house and yard?”, you’re in the right place.

In this article, I’ll explain where all those little blood suckers are really coming from and show you the 3 best ways to rid your yard and home of mosquitoes.

Where Do Mosquitoes Come From?

You might think that if there are no large pools of water around your house, the mosquitoes must be coming from far away. But don’t be fooled: It doesn’t take much for those little guys to multiply.

The 3 Best Ways To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

Now that you’re bitten, itchy, and ready to fight back, it’s time to do a little detective work. Here are some of the tips I share with my clients that will help you find out where those little buggers are coming from:

1. Know Your Surroundings And Your Plants

When I meet with new clients, one of the first things I do is to look for all the small pockets of water they don’t typically see when they’re walking around the house and yard.

Mosquitoes Love To Multiply In Small Pockets Of Water

Take a look around your house to see what kind of plants you have. Pay special attention to the plants right next to the entryways to your home. If any of those plants can hold small, or even tiny pockets of water, then you may have lots of little hatching spots for those little blood suckers.

What Kind Of Plants Do Mosquitoes Love?

I live in the tropics and many of the plants I see are excellent at holding those small pockets of water that mosquitoes love. While the plants we have around our homes may be beautiful, they can also cause us a lot of grief by providing a constant, never-ending supply of mosquitoes. Plants like ornamental ginger, heliconia, bromeliads, and others have store multiple pools of water – and the mosquitoes know this too!

Choose Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Helicionia Attracts MosquitoesPeople have often asked me, “Do I have to get rid of all my plants?” No, but I would suggest moving them a safe distance away from the entry points to your home. You can even replace the problem plants with new ones that don’t collect water. You might even go as far as to put in plants that help repel mosquitoes. Many herbaceous plants do this, including rosemary, tansy, catnip, and citronella – just to name a few.

2. Put Oil Or Soap In Your Plants’ Water Pockets

RosemaryIf you do have a lot of plants that mosquitoes love, try this: Put drops of oil or soap in the little pockets of water that form on your plants. Oil and soap prevent the mosquito larvae from hatching out of the water, but cause no permanent damage to the plants around your home. This really works, especially if you make it part of your routine and do it regularly.

3. Think Like A Mosquito

Mosquitoes are very small and can fit into tiny spaces, so I try to think on their level. I picture myself as a mosquito and ask, “Where would I go to have some babies?” Believe it or not, it is possible to outsmart a mosquito.

Wrapping It Up

I hope this article has helped you identify where those pesky mosquitoes are coming from and given you an idea of how to keep them from coming back. Mosquitoes aren’t an endangered species – they’ll find a new home. If you have any questions, leave a comment below. I’d love to hear about what you’ve done to get rid of mosquitoes and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have along the way.

Thanks for reading and best of luck,
Robert V.

Why Is My Skin So Dry? The 9 Main Causes and How To Get Relief For Dry Skin!

1 out of 5 Americans will get Skin Cancer. Skin can give you an idea of overall health. Here’s what you need to know: As we get older, our cells…

I’m going to explain how you can condition your skin to be the best that it can be and reduce your chances of dry, flaky skin.

Before I do, did you know that dry skin can be an indicator or other conditions? Visually checking your skin can give you an idea of your overall health. For example, a malfunctioning thyroid gland can cause our skin’s appearance to drastically change from one extreme to the next. As we get older, our cells also shed much more slowly. That’s why a baby’s skin is so soft. Because one out of five Americans will battle skin cancer at some point in their lifetime, it’s becoming more important than ever that we pay attention to what our skin tells us.

Before we begin, ask yourself these questions:

  • Is my dry skin mild or severe?
  • Is it hereditary?

Even if your skin is severe and it’s been in your family for generations, realize that you do have options.

I’m going to explain how you can condition your skin to be the best that it can be and reduce your chances of dry, flaky skin.

Remedies For Dry Skin

If we’re going to address the problem, it’s important to be aware of the four major offenders when it comes to skin irritation. I’ll explain why they’re damaging your skin and offer suggestions to alleviate your pain!

1. Hot Water

This one should be an immediate priority. Everyone feels perfectly at ease in a hot, steamy shower. Falling water is relaxing, cathartic, serene. Showers wake us up in the morning and they put us at ease after a long day at work. But they’re also one of the fastest ways to completely strip away the natural oils that protect our skin, not to mention keep it feeling moist and looking healthy.

When you’re in the shower or taking a bath, keep the water temperature low. Lukewarm works for most people, but cold is even better. When a peasant in the Middle Ages wanted a bath, he jumped in a lake. Maybe he stood under a waterfall wondering why the powers-that-be wanted him to suffer. We may be more civilized these days, but sometimes the luxuries that result from our civilization are destroying our skin and our confidence in our appearance. Truth be told, the peasant was doing it right. He (possibly) had phenomenal, clean, healthy skin. And you can too. Be a peasant. Take cold showers.

2. Washing

That peasant probably didn’t stay in the water for too long (because it was frigid, icy death-water that might have even led him to question his gods), and you should probably follow his lead. Keep them short. Five minutes, ten at the very most. We know better than the peasant did, so we can be happy knowing our gods only want the best for our skin. Plus, standing in a cold shower is a great character-building exercise.

Peasants probably didn’t have access to great soaps. Which is perfectly fine, because they’re not necessary at all. When it comes to your skin, simple is better. Dry skin often lacks key nutrients and oils, which results in less water absorption. Try to find rinses or body washes (and moisturizers) that contain ceramides, which will help prevent your skin from becoming easily irritated. Avoid soap. And be gentle. You don’t need to be a Herculean beast in order to clean yourself. Take it easy on yourself.

3. Drying

Speaking of which, violently scraping a towel back and forth against your skin will destroy your natural oil barrier as fast as anything else. Are you noticing any patterns here? Your skin is delicate and must be protected at all costs if you want it to look pretty. When drying, gently pat the towel against wet areas. Damp skin is okay, because you’re about to lubricate it with a nice, uncomfortable layer of lotion, and locking in some of that moisture is a great idea.

4. Moisturizing and Exfoliating

After washing and drying, your skin will hold fewer oils and need help retaining moisture even if you washed and dried yourself correctly (I know, it’s like we’re just meant to be in pain all the time). This is why lotions come in handy. The best time to apply a moisturizer is directly after a shower. Look for brands that are recommended by dermatologists. They’re usually a little bit more expensive, but it’s an investment worth making. They keep your skin moisturized a lot longer than the stuff you wasted pennies on at the dollar store.

Also look for moisturizers that help exfoliate. People with preexisting conditions can have dry, flaky skin almost constantly. This means that your demon skin cells are multiplying at a rate that outpaces your body’s ability to exfoliate naturally. Exfoliating moisturizers will help you let go of that dead skin more quickly.

Now that we’ve covered the four major offenders when it comes to your dry skin, let’s talk about the five secondary factors that contribute to the dryness of your beautiful skin. On the next page: Climate!

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