MOSQUITOES
- MYTHS AND STORIES ON THE WEB
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China's young people
are grossly unaware of how AIDS is spread, with many mistakenly believing people can
contact the disease from mosquito bites according to a survey published Thursday.
Two-thirds of secondary school students surveyed in Beijing did not know
mosquitoes were not to blame, and half were unaware that proper use of condoms can reduce
the risk of contracting AIDS, the Beijing Xinbao newspaper said.- ...As a result of the
study, Beijing's education department has asked all secondary schools to begin teaching
AIDS awareness this autumn as part of the scholl curriculum. (www.aegis.com.news)
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Attract bats to your
backyard with a bat-roost box and your mosquito problems are over. Right? Wrong!
Studies have shown that while bats devour a huge number of insects,
mosquitoes are oly a small part of their diet. A study of fecal pellets of bats in Indiana
conducted throughout an entire summer revealed that the primary food items were beetles,
moths and leafhoppers. (www.cosmoquitocontrol.com) |
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Mosquito in the ear ??!!
"There was a girl who was having a good day in the beach. Suddenly she felt
tickles in her ear. For a moment she thought that it was possibly an insect, but after few
days she forgot the issue. A few days later she started to feel a sharpen pain inside her
ear, so she decided to go to the doctor. He confirmed that she had a mosquito but couldn't
take it out since it was into deep. Without giving too much importance, he prescribed
serum so that she could clear the ear indicating that it was just a matter of days. It
would come out by itself as well as the rest of the impurities in her ear. Finally, one
day the dead mosquito came out. The girl kept it safe and took it to the doctor, who gave
her bad news...the mosquito was female and had left eggs inside her ear..."
(notelies.com/secciones/leyendas/animales.html - translated from spanish) |
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This fact sheet
provides basic information only. It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis
or treatment. Always talk to a healthcare professional about any health concerns you have
- and before you make any changes to your diet, lifestyle and treatment.
Scientific evidence, speculation and lore abound when it comes to repelling
mosquitoes - we've all heard our share of myths and home remedies that can prevent
mosquito bites. However, you should use caution before trusting in these remedies. Comment
from experts on some of these myths is outlined below, but they commonly agree that none
of these home remedies are as effective as covering up and wearing a federally registered
insect repellent such as products containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide).
(www.health.gov.on.ca)continue... |
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Myth 1
- Fabric softener sheets
Touted as great for babies, this home remedy was introduced as a solution to
the issue of not being able to apply DEET to infants. While it may sound like a friendly
way to fight off mosquitoes, no known scientific studies have been done that show it to be
effective at preventing mosquito bites. The best protection for infants and toddlers is to
keep them covered in light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and drape netting over prams
or strollers. (www.health.gov.on.ca)
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Myth 2
- Bananas, garlic and other foods
It is said that if you eat bananas,
you will attract mosquitoes, whereas if you eat garlic you will repel them. While your
pores can emit scents, no studies suggest these attract or repel mosquitoes. Mosquitoes
are attracted to carbon dioxide and strong fragrances from soaps, lotions, deodorants,
hair care products and perfumes (www.health.gov.on.ca)
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