I am a pin cushion of exquisite content, filled with the blood that is a fine delicacy to all blood seeking creatures of the dawn, twilight and night. I am a find that these winged creatures of the dig into over and over. The boys are protected by some unlabeled stuff recommended to me that I smuggled over from China. It comes in a bottle that I plug into the electric socket and leave on all the time. It has no smell. The mosquitoes leave them alone. I have no idea what it is. I have no idea how to get more. So I ration it to only the boys' room as they really need protection.
Yes, I recognize I should have invested in screen windows before the economy tanked and I lost my job. But I kept thinking, I'll get it done before Spring, which of course didn't happen. Now I believe the only way to keep the blood suckers away is to seal all entrances and keep the air conditioning on at all times. The other option, no exposed skin. Which is why you’ll find me under the covers with socks and occasionally a hat.
A few years ago I became allergic to one of the ingredients in your standard deet containing insect repellent. During the day I may still use the deet, but only spraying on my clothes not my body. If you watch the "travel sized" bins, you will still find the 1 ounce sized 98.5% deet. LOVE IT! The smell is one of “I am chemicals that can kill you!” However, for nighttime/bedtime I don’t feel great about making my groom, who has occasional asthma, inhale my deet containing fragrance, so I switched to the natural stuff. Also I have less hives with the natural stuff. However, when I smell like a ripe potted plant, about to bear fruit, it is hard to believe I’m repelling the invaders of the night.
The worst are the little guys that go for your nose. The hover, tickling you until they evoke a sneeze. Which of course is preceded by a great inhalation. Before you sneeze there is a great intake of air when the little speared warrior could be inhaled deeply to places you’d rather not itch. Hopefully the expel, the sneeze, is forceful enough to dislodge any attachment before damage is induced.
I also hate the kill these blood thirsty savages while they are drinking. While there is satisfaction in a solid slap that produces a pancaked insect, the sight of my own blood (I hope) lets me know the swelling should still be anticipated.
So as I laid in my stink, I vowed when work picks up I will invest in the screen windows because there are glorious nights in the 60s when the breeze is so gentle as to allow the invaders to fly, but so nice as to create a crime if the air conditioning were to be used.
