Another Bug Bites the Dust
For Rebecca,
Because blood is sweet,
So don’t feed the animals!
Once upon a 4th of July, on a hot, steamy and humid day mosquitoes and bugs flourished over the long forgotten barbecues of summers past. A short time before the holiday weekend and the same day I heard a repulsive story about eating cicadas on NPR this landed on my g-chat – “I have a behind the mirror challenge for you…” to which I replied “Bring It!” naturally…
“Bug Bites…like the best possible solution to reduce swelling and to avoid them without using jungle type bug spray!!! I mean…I use this Johnson & Johnson baby oil that has bug repellent in it, I’ve also had to wear the bracelets because apparently bugs love my blood… wearing a bracelet that is bug repellent ain’t exactly HOT.”
When it comes to bug spray and “HOT” you can file this under the classification of duh. (The file is getting quite large.) The two do not go hand in hand. However, what is even less “HOT” than smelling like a pesticide is the huge lumps on your legs that itch and tell the world you vacationed in a swamp over the weekend and not the resort you were most likely enjoying.
With this being said, when I started my investigation I realized most of my bug sprays were bought while vacationing in foreign countries and most of the labels read in Spanish… so in honor of the great “God Bless America” weekend, I decided to give some good ole red, white, and blue bug spray a try…
First things first – Spray or Lotion? I have a theory that lotions always work better than sprays. Lotions work better specifically when applied long enough in advance to sink in and dry covering the skin. The con to a lotion is once you are out on the scene it can prove hard to get lotions in the spots where it seems the famished can get to… So if you are lazy and not going to plan ahead, by all means get a spray.
Each day over the holiday weekend provided opportunities to explore this untapped world of bug spray. Most days were spent lounging in the back yard with wine and cheese on a blanket. Wearing several different brands each day… an old classic proudly hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming…
Malin+Goetz Bug Spray
This “natural formula safely and effectively protects against mosquitoes, black flies, ticks and biting insects. Essential oils of rosemary, geranium, lemongrass and citronella are synthesized with vitamin e and glycerin for a refreshing and soothing treatment. Vegan and DEET free. Safe for children and the environment.”
As for the “best possible solution to reduce swelling,” according to Anna the best skin care technician (or at least as far as I am concerned) at the Bliss Spa in Soho suggests to put neosporin on the bites. And if things get really ugly… a little benadryl never hurt anybody.
So…. Don’t be stupid (disclaimer time.) I am not a doctor nor do I claim to be. If you are pregnant or have any concerns about safety please talk to a doctor first. Hash tag obviously.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave away all the nasty pests o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
***beauty always comes from within, photos from here, here and there, xoxo, behind the mirror***
