This summer, probably due to the drought, the activities of mosquitos in my neighborhood are erratic. At least the number of incidents with bites for me is definitely lower than the average, Though, when it occurs, it’s really itchy. They do not bite us for fun, but for the survival of species … only female mosquitos do so to yield eggs. In really desiccated garden et al of the city they would be damned serious in biting business for stronger eggs that can endure limited amount of water. Maybe, prickly bites are good for producing robust babies … I’m just joking!
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| When you’re bitten, here is the list of ointment et al in a drugstore … |
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| continued … |
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| This is a strong ointment some
experts of field research in forests are carrying, containing Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. |
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| Here is another for regular
forest goers’ bag. In addition to Diphenhydramine, this one also contains PVA that can calm itchiness. These two ointments work when we’re bitten by, say, Brachycera, or vampire leeches. |
The notoriety of bugs, not only mosquitos but also others, among humans would be mainly due to their biting habits. Many bites cause inflammation for our body that sometimes requires hospital visits. The worst-case scenario is an allergic reaction of anaphylaxis, a matter of life and death. Inevitably people go many miles to avoid such incidents. The standard approach is, as everybody knows, spraying or applying insect repellant over the body. There are many varieties in this category, starting from very organic usage of mint water, then to a bit stronger lemonglass or else … to DEET and Icaridin. All of these methods use chemicals that cause “yuck” reaction from insects, and thus they avoid coming near to such poisonous area, right? Now here comes a question. If these repellents are poisonous or disgusting for bugs, can they be OK for us, an animal species named homo sapience?
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| Now, a parade of insect repellent in a drug store … |
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| Ctd. It’s a sticker containing a repelling
chemical. Popular among kids. From experience, I don’t think it works much … |
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| Ctd. A towel of organic cotton with non-DEET repellent. |
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| The left is a kind of accessary kids (or we) can use as a bracelet or anklet. The silicon based something contains repellent. My experience with it? Er … it won’t work much either. The right pouch is for wet tissues with insect repellent. |
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| And here are good-ol sprays. |
Yep, we have larger body than pests that would guarantee more powerful ability of detox. The amount of substances to fend off tiny bugs would be minimal and it does not cause much harm for us … maybe. Or, the mosquitos simply do not like the smell of fresh mints, and we’re just happy with the herb. Is the aroma of lavender like chocolate for cats or dogs; lethal for them but OK for us to enjoy? Still, uneasiness remains. Whatever said, DEET is OK only when we use it in a proper way. So do the other chemicals, even if it’s organic mint. Is there any other way to protect us from insect bites? Tah-daaaaaaaaaah!!! Here comes a novel way to solve this conundrum. It’s by dolls!! Is it atomic Barbie? Nah. They are cute dolls of dragonflies, made of soft polymer ABS and PET.
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| This is a shelf for insecticides for homes. It’s really poisonous at least for bugs. |
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| Japanese moss balls. It’s really easy to use as it is enclosed in paper. |
The product has two types: one is with a pin to use them like badges, and another is with a strap. Budge-types are to be worn on hats, backpacks, or as accessories for your attire. With strap type, we can dangle it from a tarp-pole for camping, or on a rear-view mirror of car. The dolls are of two species of dragonflies. The larger-one is named Oniyanma-kun (Eh … maybe “Mr. Golden-ringed Dragonfly” in English). He has a little sister called Akane-chan with red body (“Ms. Autumn Darter”). The idea is, the living dragonflies are predators for some insects, including pesky Brachyceras, wasps, and mosquitos. When we wear these insect dolls, the biting bugs mistake the dolls for the real lethal enemy and so avoid coming near us. According to several internet-evaluations, Oniyanma-kun is good for larger Brachyceras and wasps, while Akane-chan is good at smaller bugs like mosquitos. Wow. So, I ordered them from Amazon.
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| Oniyanma-kun |
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| Akane-chan |
Yeah, they look indeed like real dragonflies. The insects could be fooled. They are soft: as long as we locate them in a proper place, they will not cause any harm for, say, small babies even if they play with them. Above all, they are not applied on our body directly. We don’t have to feel uneasiness of toxicity from insect repellent. All in all, they are great products, I think. But …
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| This is the real one. The doll is really well-made, I think. |
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| and the real Autumn darter. |
When I tried to open the package and wear them on my attire for forest going, I felt I’m becoming a traitor. Yeah, it’s great if those wasps won’t come near me when I stroll in summer forest. For hoverflies etc I’m looked like carrying a very large bazooka, or a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile. They don’t bother coming to see my face. My risk of being bitten will be reduced. Great. Though, I think I will feel lonely. A wasp won’t bite us if we keep us still and show them we don’t have any intention to harm them. It will hover around us for a while, make it sure there’s no malice toward them, and leave us to continue a quiet walk in a life-filled summer forest. Do we have to arm, even if it is with decoy, in order to live a life in nature? I don’t think so.
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| If dragonflies work, so do the frogs, don’t you think? |
Oh, I must add this: people say these dolls are really working, and hence they’re becoming best-seller in Japan. Recently, I’ve found several imitations from different manufacturers in nearby drug stores and home centers. Kids are asking moms and dads to have one. Yeah, their utility aside, they look cute. It will be a nice decoration for school bags. 😉
657 Nanasawa, Atsugi City, 243-0121
〒243－0121 厚木市七沢657
Phone: 046-248-0323
You can send an enquiry to them by clicking the bottom line of their homepage at http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/div/1644/
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