Managing bugs during summer
Managing mozzies and other bugs, the bio-friendly way.
Don’t be a Buzzkill
We KNOW the buzzy biting buggers are a loathed part of summer, but don’t reach for the pesticide just yet!
Why can’t I just doom the pests to their downfall?
Because aerosol pesticides do not just kill bugs. They might be fast acting when it comes to flies and mosquitos, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a slow release, long term effect on your own health.
The dangers of aerosol pesticides:
Aerosol pesticide poisoning can be classified as Acute or Chronic. Both are equally dangerous and should be avoided at all costs, but they happen in different ways.
Acute poisoning is when you receive a large, dangerous dose of pesticide and show symptoms of poisoning almost immediately. These symptoms are usually trouble breathing, pain in your eyes and chest, heart palpitations and headaches, as well as twitching and weak muscles. In this case you should seek immediate medical attention.
Chronic poisoning happens when you receive a low dose of pesticide exposure over a long period. The symptoms of this type of poisoning can include unexplained nausea, headaches, muscle weakness or pain and generalised malaise. This is more difficult to pinpoint as pesticide poisoning, but these symptoms should not be ignored either.
This causes a problem: We live in a country with bugs, and some of them are nasty!
While much of South Africa is exempt from the scourge of Malaria, this doesn’t mean we can ignore the summertime mozzie invasion.
Although Insect repellents are a great way to keep them off you outdoors, they are is a hassle and a potential for developing skin irritations surrounding topical insect repellent treatments. The same goes for citronella burners or candles. They work in well-ventilated spaces, but they aren’t great for enclosed bedrooms.
This is where an insect screen for your doors and windows can be a game changer.
These screens used to a staple in South African homes exactly for this reason. They allow you to have open windows for fresh air, but won’t allow any critters in. For some reason, maybe aesthetics or the rise in pesticides and repellents, they have fallen out of fashion.
We want to bring them back!
Gone are the days of the dark green wobbly mesh sliding frames you saw in your Granny’s house. Today’s screens are beautifully discreet, functional and will add a whole new level of non-toxic, bug free freshness to your home.
We are big fans of these screens, by House of Supreme
Their Flyscreen Supreme comes in a multitude of different applications for doors and windows. Depending on which product you choose, these screens can be used as normal “bug screens”, security screens or pet screens.
We like the pet screens in particular, because not only are they super effective at keeping bugs out, but they can also keep pets in. This is a great addition to a “catio” and a way to give your pets fresh air, while keeping them safely indoors…Or a way to give yourself fresh air while keeping the fur babies outside!
Visit the House of Supreme website for more info on all the different screen offerings, and while you are there, look at their amazing range of aluminium shutters and clear armed bars…we LOVE a good multifunctional window treatment.
