Are you ready? It’s almost here. National S’mores Day! Yes, that’s a real thing! And, it is a super tasty day as well. But as dozens and dozens of people celebrate this soon-to-be-enormously popular occasion that will one day, most assuredly, have people traveling to see friends and family, and maybe even giving out gifts, they will be getting outside into nature to do it. Whether you celebrate National S’mores Day or not, if you like to make S’mores–and who doesn’t–you’re probably going to make them over a campfire because outdoor cookouts and S’mores go together like, oh, say, graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. But when you get out into nature, there is a greater chance you may get bitten by a mosquito. Here are a few reasons why that is a bad idea, and a few things you can do about it.

Why Getting Bit By Mosquitoes Is Bad

We all know that mosquitoes are irritating little pests that leave itchy welts on our skin, that drive us nuts for days, especially if you’re the unfortunate type of person who can’t keep from scratching something that itches like crazy. But, mosquitoes are also able to carry and spread diseases. If the wrong species of mosquito bites you, you could get sick. Really sick.

Mosquito diseases are described with wonderful words like hemorrhagic fever, brain swelling, and break bone–none of which sound pleasant, and getting a mosquito-borne virus doesn’t end with you. Some viruses, like Zika and West Nile, produce symptoms in only a limited number of people. That means you could get a dangerous virus and be the host that spreads it to someone else.

If you would rather not be bitten by mosquitoes, or pass viruses on to other people, here are some tips to prevent bites:

• Mosquito repellent is still the number one way to prevent mosquito bites. The most effective repellents have DEET, IR3535, or picaridin in them. If you don’t care to have these on your skin, consider spraying them on your clothing. There are also some repellent options that are all-natural, such as oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Not going out is a great way to avoid bites, but who wants to do that. The second best option is to not go out in the morning or evening when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when possible.
• There are also many clothing items that come with mosquito netting, take a peek online and find something trendy that will keep you safe.

National S’mores Day–which happens to be Aug 10th, if you were thinking about celebrating it–may bring you out into nature, so remember to take precaution if it does. We have a lot of mosquitoes in Atlanta, including the species that spread all the worst mosquito-borne viruses. Please stay safe. And if you’re planning on having an outdoor gathering at your home, consider mosquito control services for your yard from the professional pest control company that Atlanta trusts the most, Active Pest Control. We are the solution to all your Atlanta pest control needs. And remember, the best way to celebrate National S’mores Day is to do it without mosquitoes.