Summer may be over but the mosquitos aren’t letting up, and we’ve got a few more weeks before these pesky bugs find Beijing inhospitably cold. So before you get eaten alive during the waning days of beautiful sunshine, here’s a refresher course on repelling mosquitos.
Prevention is key!
Tools of the trade
For nighttime specifically, electronic mosquito traps helped a lot this summer. They emit a blue light that mosquitos find irresistible. Little do they know, however, that a suction mechanism at the base will pull them into the trap….forever!
And for the parents seeking cold-blooded vengeance, electronic insect swatters really hit the spot. Honestly, there’s something oddly satisfying about hearing that zap as a dumb mosquito dies in a tiny explosion of vindication. Bonus points if you get one with a light-emitting base that stands upright and lures them to their deaths.
Repellents and sprays
For babies, you don’t want to use just any product created for adults, especially not on their skin. We’ve found mosquito repellent stickers to be a good alternative.
For adults, when choosing a repellent, you want one that contains the following ingredients:
Lemon Eucalyptus
In a report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lemon eucalyptus was classified as an active ingredient in mosquito repellent. But be aware that it hasn’t been approved for kids under 3 years old. You can search for 柠檬按叶油 níngméngānyèyóu lemon eucalyptus on Taobao, or check this suggested Taobao link.
Repellent Containing DEET
According to a study on skin-applied repellent ingredients from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, DEET is designed for direct application to the skin. Apparently, it makes it harder for mosquitos to smell us. You can search for DEET驱蚊液 DEET qūwényè to find relevant products, or check out this Taobao link.
IR 3535
As an EPA registered repellent, IR 3535 is one of the most common active ingredients in insect repellents, and usually comes in cream form. You can find it in stores or search 驱蚊酯驱蚊液 qūwénzhǐ qūwényè on Taobao. Suggested Taobao link here.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil – one of the main ingredients in many medicinal ointments – is a natural mosquito repellent, but it’s also known as a hot oil, which might cause a warm sensation at best or red rashes at worst. To prevent this, journalist and lifestyle blogger Kimberley McGee suggests diluting the peppermint oil with a carrier oil. You can search 薄荷油驱蚊液 bòhéyóu qūwényè on Taobao or check this link to find it.
But when you do get bit…
Rub some Runben Itch Relief Soothing Balm to provide a bit of relief as the bite heals. These balms are available on JD.com for around RMB 32.
Babycare also makes a similar version of itch relief balm that’s suitable for babies. They go for around RMB 40 on JD.com.
Photo: pixabay.com
