Taking Back the Backyard

(ARA) - Ah, summer! It's time to get outside in the backyard and enjoy cookouts and pool parties. Unfortunately, summer is also when our least favorite guest, the mosquito, makes his appearance. So, as you're setting the outdoor table, it's also time to consider how you're going to get rid of mosquitoes.

It's not just the itching and annoying discomfort of being bitten that creates an issue -- mosquitoes are carriers of some nasty diseases, including West Nile Virus. Dr. Lena Bretous, an epidemiologist for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control says, "It is important to learn how to avoid mosquito bites to reduce our chances of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases."

How do you solve this problem? Until now, most mosquito elimination solutions have come with a host of negatives.

Mosquito zappers are costly, often unreliable, and are just unpleasant to be around. Topical repellants with DEET, while effective, are messy, can be sticky and smell less than appealing. And many people do not like putting this chemical on their skin. You also could pick up a citronella candle. Citronella has a distinctive smell that is unpleasant to mosquitoes. Because mosquitoes don't like the smell of citronella, they tend to avoid the area when they sense its scent. However, the smell of citronella also can be unpleasant to humans. And, did you know that unpleasant smells interfere with our sense of taste? Citronella can easily overpower any setting with its odor and interfere with the taste of food. So, arranging a dinner party around a citronella candle will most likely not result in rave reviews.

A better solution might be Conceal outdoor mosquito candles. These new outdoor candles help keep mosquitoes away from you and your family. According to Rick Ruffolo, senior vice president of brand, marketing, and innovation at the Yankee Candle Company, "Conceal candles contain a patented mosquito scent blocker which blocks your scent so mosquitoes can't find you."

"Mosquitoes find you by tracking the carbon dioxide you exhale, but this candle blocks mosquito's receptors from sensing humans, reducing the annoyance of mosquitoes," Ruffolo explains. "DEET-free Conceal candles do not rely on scent to repel mosquitoes, so they won't interfere with entertaining by compromising the taste of food," Conceal candles are more effective than citronella, have a light, garden fresh scent and you won't have to apply chemicals to your skin.

Alternatives such as Conceal candles are a sure way to tell mosquitoes to buzz off so you can truly enjoy being outdoors this summer.

Courtesy of ARAcontent