Fishing is a popular sport that is enjoyed by both male and female adults and children alike. There are many advantages to this sport, such as, that it can be relatively inexpensive. Basically, all you need is a fishing pole and some bait to be able to head to a local lake, pond, or stream to begin having fun. Fishing also allows you to get out and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.
On the flip side of the coin, one of the biggest disadvantages of fishing is the problem of pests. Mosquitoes are the biggest annoyances because they not only bite and buzz around, but they also are known to carry the deadly West Nile Virus. Since a female mosquito can lay as many as three thousand eggs a year, one female can end up populating
The most common remedy for the problem of pests while you're fishing is to spray an insecticide on your bare skin. The most effective insecticides contain permethrin or pyrethrum. Both of these insecticides are natural, and they are extracted from the Chrysanthemum flower.
These types of insecticides leave a film residue on your skin that can give you protection from mosquitoes and other biting insects for several hours. There are several reasonably priced products on the market today that can provide you with some degree of protection.
In conjunction with using an insecticide, you can also purchase Citronella candles and take them with you on your fishing trips. These also offer a certain amount of protection, and they are very easy to use. All you do is to light a citronella candle and set it within so many feet of you; manufacturer's directions vary. Some candles need to be within six feet of you, while others claim to provide protection from mosquitoes and other biting insects within ten feet or more. The smell of the citronella candle is effective in deterring insects from coming around near you. It works because the citronella masks the scent of a human being. Therefore, mosquitoes and other flying insects can't detect your scent and find you to provide their next meal!
However, there are two downsides to this type of pest prevention. One is if the weather is windy, you'll probably have problems with keeping the candle lit. To help alleviate this problem, you can cut a strip of tin long enough to fit around the diameter of the candle top. Then, secure this tin around the very top of the candle to help block the candle wick from the wind.
And, the second downside is, that if the weather is breezy, the citronella smell might tend to drift away from you, thus taking away your protection.
Whatever product you choose to use, for your health's sake, make sure that it is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
And finally, you can also guard yourself from pests while you are on a fishing excursion by wearing protective clothing and accessories. Long pants, of course, provide more protection than shorts, and long sleeved shirts provide better protection than short sleeve shorts do. If you want to be cool, yet prepared for pests, you can also purchase a pair of convertible pants and wear them while you're fishing. The pants have long legs, but they have a zipper around each pant leg, just above the knee area. Therefore, they can convert from long pants to shorts with a quick zip!
And, finally, hats aren't very helpful in your fight against pests and other flying insects unless you wear a hat that is fitted with mosquito netting. There is also a type of outdoor cap that has long fabric flaps on the sides, as well as the backs, to help protect your skin from pests.
