But some female mosquitoes do take blood 

 from more than one human victim. That's how 

 they spread some diseases. 



In North Carolina, however, there are few 

 human disease transmission problems from mos- 

 quitoes, says Barry Engber, a medical en- 

 tomologist with the N.C. Department of Human 

 Resources. 



But mosquitoes do transmit some deadly 

 diseases among animals. In particular, 

 veterinarians warn that Fido should take heart- 

 worm prevention medication year-round in North 

 Carolina. 



Because mosquitoes pose some health threat 

 and because they're such a nuisance, state and 

 county health agencies try to control mosquito 

 populations. 



Some counties spray insecticides or bacterial 

 larvicides. 



In the past, the state did extensive ditching to 

 drain the marsh. But they learned that was 

 ineffective. 



Now, they have a pilot project that calls for dig- 

 ging narrow channels in the marsh to unite the 

 mosquito larvae and eggs with their natural 

 predators— fish. 



Although these efforts reduce overall popula- 

 tions, they can't guarantee you won't be bitten. 

 You have to take some precautions of your own. 



To ward off mosquitoes, no-see-ums and flies, 

 Apperson recommends choosing a repellent that 

 has the highest percentage of active ingredients. 

 It should be effective for 30 minutes to several 

 hours depending on the temperature and 

 humidity. 



An unofficial repellent commonly used by 

 coastal residents is Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil* 

 Engber says that a study has shown the bath oil 

 is effective in driving off mosquitoes. And Apper- 

 son says it also repels no-see-ums. 



Both entomologists speculate that the bath oil 

 spreads a film on the skin that the pests find dif- 

 ficult to penetrate with their mouth parts. 



Aside from swatting, repellents offer the only 

 line of defense against no-see-ums, deerflies, 

 greenheads and dog flies. These flying pests 

 breed in such diverse wet areas that they are im- 

 possible to control with insecticides and 

 larvicides. 



In many areas, they're just as abundant and 



annoying as the mosquito. In fact, their bites are 

 more painful, Apperson says. 



Mosquitoes pierce the skin with a tiny tubelike 

 mouth. People often don't even feel the bite. 



But flies and no-see-ums have scissorlike 

 mouths that lacerate the skin. They wait for the 

 blood to come to skin's surface before slurping it 

 up. 



To keep no-see-ums out of your beach cottage, 

 Apperson recommends turning off the lights at 

 dusk and installing fine-mesh window screens. 



Although some beachgoers claim they are bit- 

 ten by sand fleas, there is no such bug in North 

 Carolina, Apperson says. Most likely, they are be- 

 ing bitten by regular fleas, no-see-ums or mos- 

 quitoes, he says. 



If you've already been attacked by any of these 

 blood-sucking pests, Apperson recommends 

 rubbing the bite with any of the over-the-counter 

 analgesic salves and taking an antihistamine 

 tablet if necessary. 



But don't let the threat of a few mosquitoes, 

 flies and no-see-ums ruin your outdoor activities 

 at the coast. Just remember these assailants are 

 always after "a good bite," and spray accordingly 

 with repellent. 



*This is not an endorsement of Avon Skin-So- 

 Soft. 



