One of the best meals on a Missouri float trip is a fish fry. And what could be better than frying up the freshest fish ever from your catch of the day? Experienced Missouri anglers find that fishing in early spring requires different fishing strategies than those used in summer and fall. Early spring water is still generally cold. The following early spring fishing tips will help you with catching more fish.

True anglers believe a bad day of fishing is always better than a good day at work. In fact, they practice this belief by fishing as much as possible and getting out on the water whenever possible. They also watch the weather, an essential fishing technique in early spring. If you have a limited number of vacation days throughout the year, look for unseasonable warm days and approaching weather changes. Such weather patterns make for ideal fishing conditions.

Once you make it to your preferred fishing hole, be sure to go small and slow. In early spring when the water temperature is colder, the fish are swimming slower. Opt for smaller lures that are fished slower because sluggish fish aren’t as likely to put up a fight when it comes to striking a large prey fish. Slower and smaller fish are an easier meal and more attractive to fish in colder water.

If your goal is simply to catch fish, simply using bait is the way to go. A plump, lively night crawler is desirable to nearly any fish regardless of warm or cold water. For young and beginner fishermen, fishing with bait is the best wait to experience the thrill of catching that first fish.

Fishing in early spring requires patience. It’s important to remember that just as fish take their time swimming about in cold water, fish also take their time when it comes to eating and getting a lure into their mouths. So take your time because the fish are taking their time too.

When it comes to finding warmth in early spring the fish are no different than we are, seeking the sun whenever they can. Savvy anglers keep an eye out for the sun and shallow water. The afternoon sun warms early spring water in the shallows, drawing fish to these areas.

Early spring means lots of rain in Missouri that causes muddy water in rivers and streams. How will fish see your lure in the muddy water? They’ll see it better in cloudy water if your lure is brightly colored or dark. And some of the best places to fish are the edges where clear water meets muddy water. A good place to find this is along tributaries coming into lakes and rivers.

While anglers get up early in summer and fall, they sleep in when it comes to early spring fishing. This is because early evening makes for the best fishing in early spring. The water warms throughout the day, making fish more active in the evening as the sun sets.

Finally, don’t forget to experiment. When fishing is slow, early spring is the perfect time to experiment with new lures and fishing techniques that you can use the rest of the year.

This is part three of a three part series on paddling a canoe. Part One | Part Two

Once you understand the phases of canoe strokes and the proper form for executing the forward stroke and J-stroke, you’re ready to learn the proper form and execution for the draw stroke. Here are some guidelines.

Like the J-stroke, the draw stroke is also used to correct a canoe’s direction while it is moving. The J-stroke can be executed by the paddler in the bow or stern of the canoe as a way to correct or compensate for the direction of the canoe. Also, the draw stroke is one of the most important strokes to know and ironically one that many recreational canoeists don’t use because they’ve never heard of it. You can tell the canoeists who don’t know about the draw stroke’s existence because they’re the ones who keep switching from side to side as they paddle. If they knew about they draw stroke, they wouldn’t have to keep switching sides in order to keep their canoe moving straight and forward. With the draw stroke, you begin by pulling the canoe to the side and as your paddle gets close to the canoe you rotate it into a forward stroke.

Good form means you are sitting up straight and correctly holding your canoe paddle. Raise your paddle up with your top hand at about head level while keeping the shaft of the paddle out to the side. As you bring the paddle up and out of the water, rotate the paddle’s blade parallel to the canoe as you are going to try to pull the paddle toward the canoe. During the draw stroke’s catch phase push your lower hand further out to the side and front of your position, reaching your paddle’s blade as far away from the canoe as you can while maintaining a good upright position. Then place the blade into the water parallel to the boat.

The next phase of the draw stroke is the draw phase. Just as its name implies, you are drawing the paddle toward the canoe. With your paddle close to the canoe twist it so that the paddle’s blade is perpendicular to the canoe. Now you’re set up for the power phase of the draw stroke which entails pushing your paddle’s blade back like you would on a forward stroke. Be sure to use your torso and upper body rotation to power your stroke. Remove the paddle and start the same process again. It’s important to remember that the draw phase and power phase of the draw stroke should flow as though they are one stroke. If you were viewing this stroke from above, it would look like the opposite of the J-stroke.

What many recreational canoeists find most difficult about canoeing is paddling in tandem. The paddler in the stern is the one who controls your canoe’s direction. This is why the more experienced paddler should be in the stern. Good communication and good form is required for the bow and stern paddlers to move their canoe forward and in a straight path with each paddler paddling on opposite sides of the canoe. When both paddlers understand and can properly execute the forward stroke, J-stroke and draw stroke, they’ll alleviate the need to switch sides so often.

Continued from Part One

​While there are a variety of paddle strokes you can employ on your next float trip, the forward stroke, J-stroke and draw stroke are the most commonly used. Here are some guidelines for using these three strokes.
The forward stroke is the primary stroke used by the person sitting at the bow of a canoe. While the forward stroke is viewed by many as the simplest and most straight forward of strokes, proper form is essential and it’s not always as easy as it looks. Proper form includes sitting up straight and proper torso rotation. Seated at the bow of your canoe, raise the paddle out of the water and bring your top hand up high. Depending on your height, the top of your paddle should be at or above your head. The canoe paddle’s shaft should be vertical to the water. Next, push your lower hand forward as you reach the paddle blade as far as you can toward the front of the canoe while continuing to sit up straight. Place the paddle’s blade into the water ahead of your body with the blade’s face perpendicular to the direction of the stroke. This is the catch phase of the forward stroke.

For the power phase of the forward stroke, pull the paddle alongside the canoe in a straight line, allowing the top hand to push forward and down as your bottom hand pulls the paddle back and through the water. The power phase of the forward stroke requires you to use your torso and rotate your upper body as a means of giving maximum power to support your stroke. You should use the rotation of your body more than you should use your arms for this phase of the stroke. Once your paddle’s blade is past your body, bring the paddle’s blade out of the water (recovery phase) and go back to the first step.

As you are paddling it’s a good idea to switch sides frequently to prevent putting too much stress on one arm. If you are right-handed and executing the forward stroke, you’ll have your right hand as the top hand when you are paddling on the canoe’s left side whereas your left hand will be the top hand when you are paddling the canoe on the right side. Switching sides gives your body an even workout.
Now you’re ready to learn the J-stroke. The J-stroke is used by the person sitting in the stern of the canoe as a way to correct or compensate for the direction of the canoe. The more you paddle on one side at the front of the canoe, the more the canoe turns to the opposite side. The J-stroke corrects this turning while keeping the canoe moving forward.

To execute the J-stroke, make sure you up sitting up straight. Raise the paddle with your top hand at head level, keeping the shaft of the paddle vertical and out to the side. Push your lower hand forward and reach the paddle’s blade toward the front of the canoe as far as you can while maintaining good upright posture. During the J-stroke’s catch phase you’ll place the paddle’s blade into the water ahead of your body with the face of the blade perpendicular to the direction of the stroke. During the J-stroke’s power phase you’ll pull the paddle alongside the canoe in a straight line with your top hand pushing forward and down while your bottom hand pulls back. Just as you would with a forward stroke, use your torso and upper body rotation to power the stroke.

What distinguishes a forward stroke from the J-stroke is what happens at the end of the stroke. At the end of the stroke you’ll rotate your paddle’s blade into a ruddering position by twisting your top hand down so your thumb on your top hand is facing downward. At this point your bottom hand should be pushing the paddle out from the canoe. If you were watching this stroke from above, it would look like a “J.” Remove the paddle from the water and repeat another J-stroke from the beginning until your canoe is headed in the right direction. The “J” portion of this stroke may need to be pushed out from the canoe more or less in order to keep your canoe moving straight. The person sitting in the canoe’s stern should use the J-stroke on the opposite side of the canoe from the one the person in the bow of the canoe is paddling on.

Read Part Three

Each year hundreds of adults go on their first float trip, too embarrassed to admit they never paddled a canoe or floated on an inner tube down a river or stream as a kid.  Consequently, they don’t know how to properly prepare for what could go wrong.  Here are some safety tips for a safe Missouri float trip.

First and most importantly, no matter how many float trips you’ve been on, you and everyone else should wear a personal flotation device at all times.  While it may sound like simple common sense, you should never swim or boat alone.  You should always stay within sight of companions.

Whether you are floating downstream with a group of friends and family or with others through an outfitter, it’s best for you to admit your lack of experience so you can be paired with an experienced paddler/floater.  With an experienced paddler/floater there is a lesser chance of capsizing.

Preparation and avoidance are essential to staying safe on your next float trip.  Avoid rivers and streams when river levels and discharge flows are higher than normal or at flood stage.  If your boat capsizes on your next float trip, stay with canoe or kayak on the upstream side.  The last thing you want to do in the water is panic.

Knowing your physical limitations is also important when it comes to safety on your next float trip.  When you’re tired, it’s time to take a break on a gravel bar to relax.  For beginners a shorter length float trip (especially in rafts and inner tubes) works best.  Ideal float trip conditions typically occur in the summer when river levels are lower and winds are out of the South and greater than 10 mph.

While many movies glamorize swinging on rope swings and jumping into rives from bluffs or bridges, you should avoid diving into rivers or streams from bridges, bluffs, stream banks and trees as there could be submerged logs and tree branches that could cause you bodily harm.  Even the simplest of tasks like walking can be dangerous.  River wading shoes ensure no cuts to your feet.

You should also take measures to protect your skin and eyes.  Be sure to wear a hat and sunglasses as well as bring suntan lotion.  You’d be surprised how quickly the sun reflecting off the water can give a person not wearing sunglasses a headache.  Extra clothing is a good idea as it will prevent sunburns.  Stay hydrated too by bringing plenty of water, Gatorade or other thirst-quenching drinks.  Peanut butter crackers or similar snacks will help you to maintain your energy.

The last thing you want to lose on your next float trip is your car keys.  Do yourself a favor and leave them with the outfitter before you get into the canoe.  In fact, you should leave anything you don’t want to lose behind, either at home or locked in your car.

While some folks think rules were meant to be broken, it couldn’t be further from the truth on a float trip.  Rules are there for your safety.  Be sure to respect the rights of fisherman and private property owners.  If your plan to go camping, camp in designated areas so you can avoid being trapped by rising water against bluffs or on gravel bars.  Don’t tie your canoes or rafts together as it is a safety hazard to do so and you’ll be subject to a fine.  You’ll also want to keep Missouri’s rivers and streams clean for others.  Don’t use glass or Styrofoam containers and bring your own trash bag to avoid littering.

Due to logs and submerged trees, many floaters experience a cut or scrape from time to time.  Be sure to wash any cuts or scrapes with clean water and soap after swimming.  Everyone should shower after a float trip to cleanse themselves of microorganisms from river water.

Finally, avoid swimming in any water that has a temperature greater than 80ºF, is near storm drains, stagnate or with a green surface scum, has floating debris, oil sheens or dead fish.  This type of water could contain contaminates that are harmful to your health.

Missouri is blessed to have four seasons but with shorter days and cooler temperatures, there’s no denying the time has come to store your boat for the winter.  Each spring many boat owners find their kayak or canoe doesn’t perform as well as it did in years past.  This can happen when a canoe or kayak sits improperly stored for 5-6 months of the year.  Properly storing your boat is important and you’ll be glad you spent the extra time figuring out the storage method that works best for you when it comes time to take your boat on the next float trip in the spring.  Here are some tips for storing your boat for the winter.

If possible, you should store your canoe or kayak inside in a garage, boat house or basement.  Some have gone to the extreme of keeping their boat next to their bed or used it as a couch in their living rooms.  Don’t know how well that would go over with the wife, but some wives are more tolerant than others.  If you don’t have any indoor storage available and have no other choice but to store your boat outside, make sure you don’t allow snow to pile on top of it and you should also keep your boat away from trees that may fall on it during a heavy wind storm.

The biggest problem with storing your boat outside over winter is exposure to the sun’s UV rays which degrade and discolor your boat’s material over time.  Many boat owners resort to covering their boats with a blue tarp.  But strong winds can shred even the toughest of blue tarps.  It’s better to use Danuu covers which are made for storage outdoors.  Whether you use a blue tarp or Danuu cover, be sure to tie it down securely to your boat, leaving an end open for air circulation as built up moisture can cause discoloration too.

Warm storage is ideal for boats as cold temperatures cause plastics to become brittle.  Storing your boat outside isn’t the end of the world as long as you take necessary precautions.  If you have a Royalex canoe with wood trim, it’s a good idea to loosen the screws on the gunwales before storing it for winter.  By loosening the screws you’ll prevent severe cracks in the hull as Royalex contracts at a different rate than the wood trim.

Here are a few things you must do if you are storing your boat outside in the winter.  First, store your boat off the ground.  Many boat owners use saw horses or blocks for canoes and two Universal Foam kayak blocks spaced 6-8 feet apart for kayaks.  Second, polyethylene or plastic kayaks should be stored on their sides while composite kayaks should be stored with their hull up or on their sides.  Third, hatch covers and neoprene covers should be removed and hatches should be open to the air.  If you’re worried about mice, you can use a cockpit cover to keep mice, leaves and dirt out.  Cockpit covers that are half mesh and nylon work well because they aren’t air tight but keep the mice, leaves and dirt out.  Fourth, canoes should be stored upside down and you should remove any float tank plugs from the bow and stern.

If you are fortunate enough to have indoor storage space for your boat, here are some suggestions.  Many boat owners like to hang their kayaks or canoes from the roof in their garage to keep them out of the way.  You should avoid hanging your boat from grab loops or carry thwarts as they are not structural handles.  Using a strap or sling under the hull is the best way to hang your kayak or canoe and then attaching it to a hanger on the roof.

Some like to hang their kayaks or canoes on the wall using L shaped wooden racks.  Using foam padding on the straight arms to cushion your boat, store canoes upside down on the gunwales and kayaks on their side.  These L shaped racks should be positioned under your kayak’s bulkheads to prevent any deformation of plastics.

Using these boat storage tips for winter will keep your boat in the best shape possible so you’re ready to go on your next float trip in the spring.

Most of us spend our days connected to the Internet in one way or another, whether through our home or office computer, an iPad or other tablet, our cell phone, or other devices.  We have become accustomed to quick communication through email, Facebook or Twitter.  We immediately search for answers to questions that arise or keep up on the latest news.  Internet has become an integral part of our lives.  It is no surprise, then, that even when we “get away” to the out-of-doors when camping we are reluctant to be cut off from Internet access.

In early June 2012 the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced that they will be adding complimentary Wi-Fi to many of Missouri’s state parks.  The eleven state parks that initially offered free wireless Internet service mostly provide access throughout the park, but in some cases it is only available at designated hotspots.  The department will continue to add Wi-Fi services to more campgrounds throughout the summer.  The parks that had service in June were:

• Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon
• Montauk State Park near Salem
• Table Rock State Park near Branson
• Meramec  State Park near Sullivan
• Sam A. Baker State Park near Patterson
• Dr. Edmund A. Babler State Park in Wildwood
• Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park near Middlebrook
• Onondaga Cave State Park near Leasburg
• Long Branch State Park near Macon
• Finger Lakes State Park near Columbia

In 2010 the department conducted a survey in which visitors to Missouri campgrounds indicated that having the ability to stay connected was important.  They felt that having Internet access might cause them to camp more often and could lead them to extend their stays at campgrounds.

Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks stated, “State parks are great places to get away from a hectic schedule but our campers also requested the ability to stay connected. We listened to our customers and are adding complimentary WiFi to the many services we already provide in our state park campgrounds.”

Missouri state parks are continually being upgraded to meet the demands of today’s camping families.  The 40 state park campgrounds offer a wide variety of sites and services, everything from primitive, basic sites to sites with modern amenities such as electric, sewers and water.  In fact, over 70 percent of the campsites have electricity available.  Other amenities often found are modern restrooms, hot showers, trailer dumping stations, coin-operated laundry or firewood.  Full information regarding the amenities and services at each campground is available at the Missouri State Parks website.  The Missouri State Parks are part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

This summer many people will float on Missouri’s rivers in canoes or rafts. But a select few will enjoy a long, leisurely float on inner tubes, enjoying the scenery while staying cool in the water. With advanced planning, a successful float trip on inner tubes is even more enjoyable. Here are some tips for your float trip with inner tubes.

If you plan to take a float trip with a church or youth group, canoes and rafts are ideal because they are capable of accommodating several people who want to stay together as they float down the river. Inner tubes work best with smaller groups of 2-4 people. When you have too many people trying to stay together on a float trip you’ll need to allow extra time.

Throughout Missouri many outfitters rent inner tubes, arrange transportation to a launch point and pick you up at a designated area at the end of the float. For folks who aren’t as familiar with the river and surrounding area, this is a major convenience that’s worth the investment. For locals and more experienced rafters, picking out a river to float and scoping the territory before the outing isn’t difficult. Drop points and landing places are familiar for locals. But if you’re not as familiar with an area you should know that many states stipulate areas next to bridges as public access points. Be cautious along the banks of the river as some parts are private property. You may face trespassing charges if you get out of the stream onto private land.

You’ll want to bring a cooler for drinks and food you’ll need throughout the day and bags for your sunscreen and other essential items. This is why it’s a good idea to rent or have an extra tube to carry your gear. Be sure to buy drinks that are in cans or plastic bottles rather than glass and make sure your cooler is made out of hard plastic and not foam. Foam coolers will absorb the water from the river and ultimately sink. Bring along some bungee cords so you can strap your cooler and other gear to the extra tube. Before you get into the water, connect all of your party’s inner tubes together, with the cooler tube in the center, so everyone has easy access to food and drinks while you float down the river. Bring plenty of water to drink throughout the day so you don’t get dehydrated.

Part of a successful float trip means wearing the appropriate clothing. While you may want to show off your new body now that you’ve lost weight, make sure that bikini fits so the river currents don’t take it away. Water shoes like thongs or Crocks are good protection from sharp rocks or sediment on river beds. And of course life jackets are required equipment because you can’t tell when the water is going to be over your head and river currents are unpredictable. It’s important that you avoid bringing expensive sunglasses or an expensive hat since these items could easily float away. Better to bring a cheap pair of sunglasses and a hat you can easily replace with instead.

Unless you can tie your car keys to your swimsuit, leave them behind. If you drop them into the river, they’ll only sink to the bottom and will be impossible to find. Keep your identification and a small amount of money in a sealed waterproof bag in your cooler. Be sure to keep all trash that you generate during your float trip in a mesh bag like the ones onions come in at the grocery store.

One of the best ways to enjoy Missouri’s rivers is by leisurely floating down them on inner tubes. Whether renting them from Missouri outfitters or bringing your own, a little preparation will make your next float trip a success.

If you’ve spent a significant amount of time on Missouri’s rivers, you’ve come to appreciate the value of a good dry bag. A quality dry bag is the difference between arriving at your campsite with wet, soggy gear and destroyed electronics and cell phones versus all your gear arriving protected, dry and in one piece. Too many have either experienced first-hand, or heard about rivers swallowing entire backpacks, cellphones and cameras. Get a dry bag so the river doesn’t get your stuff and the best of you.

Whether you’re planning to float for the day or a week, a dry bag is essential for river floating. Throwing your wallet, purse, camera, car keys or cell phone on the bottom of a boat is a sure-fire way to ruin them. Here are some things to consider before you purchase the one that’s right for you. Because dry bags are meant to float, if they end up in the water, their large size allows room for air plus your belongings. As such, a dry bag can only be filled up to about 2/3 to 3/4 full. So ideally you should buy a bag that seems much bigger than what you think you’ll need. And buying a small bag to hold your wallet, car keys, digital camera and cell phone is a good idea too. Many experienced rafters buy several dry bags, storing their clothes in one big dry bag or two medium dry bags and “day use items” in a small dry bag. Unless you want to watch your dry bags float away, don’t forget to tie them to the boat!

Several types of dry bags are available in today’s market. Standard dry bags are usually large over-sized bags that resemble garbage bags full of clothes. But when closed properly, standard dry bags are tough and durable and will keep your gear completely dry as it floats down the river. Experienced rafters use standard dry bags as their main bag to store clothes and less frequently needed items. Standard bags aren’t equipped with organizational pockets or compartments so buying one that’s clear will make it easier to find and access what you need. Some folks use two or more medium sized dry bags to keep themselves organized instead of just one big one when they go on multi-night float trips.

Another option for storing your belongings on a float trip is waterproof duffels. While they are stylish and easier to organize and access your gear, they have a smaller amount of storage capacity than standard dry bags and they don’t float. For this reason, many experienced rafters use waterproof duffels for storing their day use items, stowing their main gear in either 1 or 2 standard dry bags.

These days no one wants to be apart from their cell phone or IPod making dry bags for electronics ideal for float trips. Dry bags for electronics are designed with frequent use in mind, allowing the items to still be used while still inside the bag. Until recently, many rafters stored their electronic devices in standard dry bags or waterproof duffels putting them at risk for the inevitable bumps and knocks sustained by the boat on a float trip. But today’s dry bags for electronics have padding for this specific purpose.

Standard dry bags, waterproof duffels and dry bags for electronics are an essential part of today’s float trips. Tying these to the boat will prevent them from floating away should your raft tip of encounter rapids. Don’t let the river get your stuff and the best of you, get dry bags instead.

Every year the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) spends $1 million dollars in litter clean up along rivers, streams and lakes.  While there are few people statistically who litter in Missouri, there are still some who do, making littering a lingering problem for the state.

Quite often, trash bags are one of the last things we think to pack for our annual float trips.  In fact, sometimes we forget to bring them at all.  Or, we make our best effort to collect our trash throughout the day, but then our canoe tips over and our trash scatters all over the river out of arm’s reach.

Fortunately, Missouri state legislators have given float outfitters a way to help keep our rivers, streams and lakes clean.  A pilot anti-littering program started in 1999, the “Stash That Trash” program, with its characteristic red mesh bags, gives considerate float outfitters a way to collect trash along Missouri’s rivers and streams. What the MDC has discovered is that kind participants in the program are not only collecting their own trash, they’re also collecting trash others have left behind.

While most of the trash consists of cans and coolers, some loads have included tires, steel traps and even someone’s dentures!  Float outfitters pick up tons of trash every year, accounting for 150 pickup truck loads for one river, the Niangua River, alone.  If you’re planning a float trip this spring or summer, consider participating in a Stream Team.  Nearly 100 float outfitters across Missouri offer float trip discounts for those who participate in clean up efforts.  These discounts are extended to Teams renting canoes, willing to perform Stream Team activities like litter pickups and water quality monitoring.

We can solve littering when everyone does their part.  Here are some ways we can all make a difference.

First, remove items from your pickup truck’s bed or from your boat that could blow out into roadways.  Any lost or broken monofilament should be retrieved as well as plastic six-pack rings.  If possible, remember to bring trash bags along on your float trip to dispose of your trash and take them home when your trip has ended.  Never throw trash into outdoor privies.  Doing so interferes with pumping out the tanks.  If you clean the day’s catch near the water, don’t leave fish parts near streams or on boat ramps.  Guts and carcasses should be disposed of in trash cans, not along shores, decks or ramps.  By exhibiting these practices, you set a good example.  Letting friends and family know that littering is socially unacceptable is a powerful step in the fight against future littering.

Littering in Missouri is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by either a 1 year jail sentence or a $1,000 fine.  While the MDC has posted signs in all conservation area parking lots, littering still occurs, often when no witnesses are present.  Consequently, fines from the small percentage that are caught don’t make up for the money it costs Missouri taxpayers in clean up, finding perpetrators and/or associated court costs.

Stream Teams are a great way to enjoy your next float trip at a discounted rate while still doing your part to keep Missouri’s rivers and streams clean.  When it comes to litter, everyone can take part in clean up efforts, keeping waterways clean for future generations.

With the summer rapidly approaching, it brings with it a plethora of different bugs and one unwelcomed variety is the mosquito.  Because mosquitoes carry diseases like encephalitis and the West Nile virus, it is important to use insect repellant if you are going to be exposed to these pesky bugs for any length of time.  Some people are sensitive to the ingredients in commercial insect repellants, which is why some individuals prefer to use precautions and all natural bug repellants to ward off these tiny flying vampires.

Mosquitoes have a complex method of seeking out a host and different types of mosquitoes respond to different stimuli.  These nasty little vectors are most active at dawn and dusk, but there are also varieties which seek out a host all during the day.  There are ways a person can avoid being bitten and a good way of doing this is to make sure you are not doing anything to attract them as well.

The following is a list of mosquito attractants which a person should be aware of and avoid if at all possible:

·    Dark clothing is an attractant because mosquitoes use vision to find a host from varying distances.

·    Lactic acid is released either after a person exercises or from eating certain foods such as those containing high levels of sodium and potassium.  You should avoid working out and limit sodium in the diet before attending an outdoor event in the summer, to limit mosquito attacks.

·    Carbon dioxide is given off if a person is hot or has been exercising, burning candles, torches or having a bon fire are other ways the gas is released into the air and it will act as an attractant.

·    Skin temperature can be an attractant, but the exact temperature will depend on the type of mosquito and many are drawn by lower temperatures than higher.

·    Moisture attracts mosquitoes because of the chemicals released and because it increases humidity.  Even small amounts of water, such as moist grass, plants or standing water, will also draw mosquitoes and provides a perfect breeding ground.

·    In addition to perfume, hair care products and scented lotions and sunscreens, mosquitoes also love floral fragrances which you should avoid at all costs, lest you become a bug buffet.

For those people wanting to make their own all natural bug repellant, there are many inexpensive alternatives which will effectively repel mosquitoes, but require more frequent application (every 2-hours).  Because there are so many different types of mosquitoes, a person should use a combination of different repellants to best ward off bugs.  Natural repellants include the following:

·    Oils from verbena, lavender, pine, cajeput, basil, thyme and allspice, garlic, and soybean
·    Citronella oil
·    Lemon eucalyptus oil
·    Geranium oil
·    Cinnamon oil
·    Castor oil
·    Lemongrass oil
·    Clove oil
·    Peppermint oil
·    Rosemary oil
·    Cedar oil

Remember things like sunscreens, swimming, sweating and rain can dilute the effectiveness of natural repellants, so it is important to reapply often for maximum effectiveness.  The word natural does not always imply safe, and many people are allergic or sensitive to the oils in plant extracts, so perform a spot test before slathering any on your body.  It is important to find a combination that works for you and to remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions before using any all natural bug repellants.