[Annonce] Problems with mosquitoes and mosquito bites on Bornholm

[Annonce] Problems with mosquitoes and mosquito bites on Bornholm

Problems with mosquitoes and mosquito bites on Bornholm

Many people come on holiday to Bornholm and they have the mistaken impression that there are not many mosquitoes on the island. Unfortunately, they couldn’t be more wrong, there are a lot of mosquitoes on Bornholm, because the nature is ideal for mosquitoes, just like there is a lot of stagnant water.

Although Bornholm is isolated in the Baltic Sea, there are several different species of mosquitoes on the island.

As in Sweden, the natural conditions on Bornholm are ideal for mosquitoes because there are many forests and fields where mosquitoes usually live, as well as many lakes and still waters where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.

Besides, there’s good weather and lots of sunshine – read the article about the sunshine island here – another thing that makes conditions for the little stinging beasts good.

The fact that it can be very windy at times on Bornholm, and that it is generally windier than on the mainland, is the only negative for mosquitoes, but they seem to head for areas of the island where the wind is not so bad. Or that they seek shelter when it’s too windy for them.

 

Why do mosquitoes bite?

In fact, only the female mosquito bites and sucks blood, as it needs the proteins from the blood to make eggs. Therefore, blood is very important for the female mosquito, and that is why they sting a lot during the periods of the year when many eggs are laid.

The male mosquito, on the other hand, feeds solely on nectar from flowers and plants; it is a vegetarian, if you like.

Mosquitoes don’t go after humans, but they will bite any large animal that is near them. Therefore, cows, horses, dogs, deer, etc. are often exposed to bites, because they often move in areas where there are many mosquitoes. Namely woodland or fields where there are lakes or standing water nearby.

 

Why do mosquito bites itch and sting?

It’s called a mosquito bite, but in practice, mosquitoes cut a hole in the skin and suck up blood. And some species scratch the skin, then lick and suck up the blood.

So mosquitoes do not sting, as is known from bees, wasps and other insects.

It is not the “sting” itself that makes it itch and sting for many days after.

To prevent the blood from clotting after the mosquito has cut a hole in the skin, it spits an enzyme onto the skin. It is this enzyme that causes skin irritation, rashes, scratching, stinging and itching.

Therefore, it is also important to neutralise the enzyme if you want to reduce the irritation as much as possible. And therefore you should clean the plug as soon as possible, it will have a huge effect.


Read more on the mosquito guide
.

 

How to treat mosquito bites effectively

There are a variety of ways you can treat the mosquito bite to avoid itching and stinging more than necessary.

You can either use a natural treatment or you can buy products made for the purpose.


Read more about natural treatment for mosquito bites here
.

 

Below, we have collected 5 good ways to treat your mosquito bite effectively and well.

 

  1. Argan oil or aloe vera – Both aloe vera and argan oil are well-known home remedies for the treatment of mosquito bites. It is important that you use 100% aloe vera gel or 100% pure argan oil, as mixing products can cause inflammation.
    Both the gel and the oil have cleansing properties that neutralise the enzymes in the mosquito’s saliva, thus eliminating itching and stinging.
    What’s more, both ingredients are known to have healing properties, which means they’ll make your plug heal faster if you just rub it in a few times a day.
  2. Saltwater – Salt water is known to have cleansing properties, which is why it is used to clean wounds in hospitals, for example.
    These are the same good qualities used when cleaning mosquito bites. Here, the water will remove and neutralize the enzymes, after which the plug will stop messing around.
  3. Eddike – Vinegar has been used for centuries to clean both clothes and wounds, and it is vinegar’s cleansing properties that make it suitable for mosquito bites.

    The vinegar cleanses and removes the enzymes, stopping the itching and stinging.

  4. Fresh herbs – Fresh herbs such as basil, oregano and peppermint can be used to cleanse your mosquito bite. All 3 herbs are known for their cleansing properties, making them ideal for cleansing a sting.
    They neutralize the enzymes from the mosquito saliva, and at the same time they have increased the healing process.
  5. Peppermint oil – Following on from point 4, peppermint oil is also great when it comes to cleansing the mosquito bite. The oil has been known for millennia as a good way to disinfect wounds, as it has inflammatory properties.
    It is these properties that make it suitable for the care of mosquito bites.

 

There are lots of other ways to care for and treat a mosquito bite, but they all use the same process as the above suggestion, neutralising the enzymes from the mosquito saliva and then caring for the bite to speed up the healing process.

If you lubricate your bite a few times a day, you will avoid all the irritations associated with a mosquito bite.

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