When insects come biting, it’s smart to use repellents
Da recent campout along the East Walker River southeast of Reno, I shared the early morning hours with a rather ambitious bunch of mosquitoes. Despite my efforts to keep them at bay, the sneaky little critters still managed to demonstrate just how tenacious they could be and found a way through my defenses.
Naturally, the places where they chose to take blood samples are the most challenging to scratch. My problem is that I am just as tenacious with my scratching as the ornery mosquitoes are about collecting blood, and I am quickly reminded just how thin that first layer of skin really is.
During one of my rather persistent scratching sessions, I happened upon an email from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with a rather worrisome subject line that read, “Illnesses from mosquito, tick and flea bites increasing in the U.S.”
According to the news release within the email, “Illnesses from mosquito, tick and flea bites have tripled in the U.S., with more than 640,000 cases reported during the 13 years from 2004 through 2016.”
Then, if that wasn’t enough to get the attention of anyone who spends time outdoors, the next line read, “Nine new germs spread by mosquitoes and ticks were discovered or introduced into the United States during this time.”
Included in the list of new diseases confronting outdoor enthusiasts are West Nile, Lyme, Zika and something called chikungunya. I’ve never heard of the last one, but the name is certainly sufficient to get one’s attention.
Fortunately, when it comes to disease cases from mosquito and tick bites, Nevada is at the bottom of the list in both categories. Probably because the state is so dry, but some of our neighboring states aren’t so lucky. California and Arizona are in the top 20 percent of states reporting mosquito-borne illness cases, and in the third and fourth of five possible tiers for tick-borne cases. Utah and Idaho are in that fourth tier.
While this isn’t necessarily good news for outdoor enthusiasts, it is good information to know. And because we stand a good chance of running into a tenacious bunch of mosquitoes or getting closer to a tick than we would prefer, it’s a good idea to know how we can minimize the chances of being bitten.
During my game warden days, I was checking duck hunters at Sunnyside one fall when the mosquitoes were so bad that a frustrated hunter was offering $100 to anyone who would sell him a can of insect repellent. As you might imagine, folks weren’t in a selling mood.
As it turns out, the man was on the right track in his search for insect repellent. The Southern Nevada Health District and the CDC recommend the use of repellents to minimize the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes. Look for repellents containing DEET (diethyltoluamide), Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Then be sure to follow the directions on the product label.
Repellents using DEET are easy to find. One of the things to look for is the concentration of DEET in the product. The higher the concentration, the longer the protection. A study referenced by the SNHD found that a product containing 23.8 percent DEET provided an average of five hours of protection and a product with 6.65 percent DEET provided almost two hours of protection.
Be sure to assist young children with the application of any repellents. My mother used to put it on her hands and then rub it on us.
Avoid their eyes, mouth and hands. They could put their hands in the mouth. For infants, use mosquito netting rather than repellents.
Clothing also can help to repel insects. Shorts are fashionable, but do little in the protection department. Wear long pants and shirts with long sleeves. You also can apply repellent to the fabric to help prevent sneaky mosquitoes from reaching you that way.
Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His “In the
Outdoors” column, published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-journal, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. Any opinions are his own. Find him on Facebook at @dougwritesoutdoors. He can be reached at intheoutdoorslv@gmail.com.
LAKE MEAD — Anglers have found good action for striped bass. Live shad, anchovies, jigs and various lures are catching fish in the Las Vegas Bay area. Stripers can be found chasing bait at the opening of coves and throughout the wash. Catfish are hitting many of the same baits. Black bass species are still providing anglers ample fishing opportunity, with most being caught along points outside of Callville Bay and near Hemenway.
LAKE MOHAVE — Fishing rocky shelves with drop shot rigs can produce smallmouth bass while the back waters with submerged brush hold largemouth bass. Striped bass in the main body of the lake are taking shad and trout imitations near the mouths of coves. Willow Beach Marina has reported good striper action in the river with double-digit fish as large as 19 pounds being caught. Most fish are being taken near the marina and the rest are coming from down river. Trout imitation lures such as the Rago or AC Plug work well. Shore anglers are catching stocked rainbow trout in the early mornings below Willow Beach. They are using Powerbait.
LAUGHLIN — The bite continues for striped bass.
The river below Davis Dam is consistently producing for shore anglers using anchovies. Anglers are catching stripers south through Casino Row from the shore and by trolling. Rainbow trout are hitting spinners and mealworms.
LAS VEGAS URBAN PONDS — Warm water season has really kicked off with good action for bluegill, bass and catfish at most of the ponds. Catfish are taking stink baits, night crawlers, hotdogs and chicken gizzards. The Nevada Department of Wildlife is reminding anglers that it illegal to use fish or their parts, other than salmon eggs, as bait in the ponds.
KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA — Anglers found good action over the holiday weekend.
One man reported catching a 10-pound largemouth bass out of Haymeadow, while a youth took a 6-pound bass out of Adamsmcgill. Crappies are taking small jigs in various colorations and rainbow trout are taking small jigs, spinning lures, and spoons, as well as Powerbait, Power Eggs, and worms.
EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR — Largemouth bass are still on their beds around the lake. Catchand-release regulations remain in effect through June 30 for the bass. Fishing has been good for rainbow, brown and tiger trout. The fish are taking spinning lures, spoons and flies in a variety of patterns and colors. Crappies are hitting small jigs in white with pink, green or orange heads.
ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR — Largemouth bass are providing good action for anglers. Crappies better than hand-size are taking jigs in white with colored heads. Rainbow trout are hitting a variety of baits and lures.
UPCOMING FISHING
EVENTS — Free Fishing Day in Nevada is Saturday, June 9. There are three events scheduled in Southern Nevada at Echo Canyon State Park, Floyd Lamb Park, and Veteran’s Memorial
Park in Boulder City. For more information contact Ivy Santee at 702-486-5127 x 3503 or Abbey Czarnecki at x 3850. Or visit www.ndow.org/fish/free_ fishing_day/.