by Dallas Carey
Oh, Summer, how wonderfully blissful you are! The laughter of children echoes from playgrounds, pools, and even their own backyards. From cool mornings to scorching afternoons, and evenings filled with campfires and chasing lightning bugs (or is it fireflies at your house?) Oh yes, summer, you do paint a picture of seasonal delight.
But wait—this summer, we seem to be spending more time indoors or covered in DEET, a precaution against mosquitoes that can be detected even by our neighbors due to the lingering scent. Why this influx of mosquitoes? And can we possibly find a silver lining in their abundance? Or are they just trying to give our hands a workout with all the itching, or worse yet, testing our willpower to resist scratching?
According to experts (folks like you and me), mosquitoes are throwing a summer party this year thanks to warmer temperatures, a milder winter, and more standing water. Especially with excessive rain and flooding leaving numerous pools where mosquitoes can breed, which, thankfully, is not the usual scene around here.
Despite a chilly start to July, the persistent warmth has only encouraged mosquitoes to breed faster, bite more frequently, and live longer. While we’ve all been pestered by their presence, what can we do once they’ve taken a nibble? Remedies are plentiful, from toothpaste ointment to banana peels, mosquito netting, and a variety of other tricks. The perfect solution still eludes us, but if you find it, please shout it from the rooftops! Oh, and while you’re up there, check those gutters for standing water too.
However, despite their nuisance, mosquitoes do play a vital role in our ecosystem. They serve as a food source for fish and other wildlife, ensuring that our beloved fishing spots remain abundant and lively. So, perhaps their buzzing presence, amidst all the annoyance, serves as a reminder of the natural balance of things. After all, those beautiful birds we hear chirping also enjoy a mosquito snack now and then.
Summer, despite the unexpected challenges (thanks to our tiny buzzing friends), your essence remains undeniably sweet, like the taste of freshly picked berries or the warmth of a sunlit evening. Here’s to embracing every bit of your fleeting days with a sense of humor and a can of bug spray!