When I was a kid, my family spent most of our summer at a cabin in the northern part of our state. Inevitably, one of my sisters and I would be covered in mosquito bites, while the rest of the family escaped that itchy fate. My mom used to say that my sister and I had "sweet blood." Turns out, she wasn't too far off base.

Among other factors, tiny little blood-suckers such as mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon dioxide and lactic acid we excrete. While we all release carbon dioxide and lactic acid larger people and pregnant women have higher amounts. You're also likely to have a higher level of lactic acid in your sweat just after exercising. High body temperature is also a beacon to mosquitoes. Floral scents (perfumes, etc.) may also be a draw as well as dark colored fabrics.

Kelly at Green Daily has some earth-friendly tips for fending off mosquitoes.

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From rubbing whiskey on sore gums (not a good idea) to gargling warm salt water when you have a sore throat (pretty soothing, actually), my mom is a fountain of home remedies. No matter what the ache or pain is, I always know I can count on my mom to have some sort of "cupboard cure."

AOL Body has weeded out the home remedy facts from the fiction. Some of their tips include:

• Rub a small amount of liquid laundry detergent on a mosquito bite.
• Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on the floor of a hot running shower and inhale the steam to relieve congestion.
• For brighter, whiter teeth, combine a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of peroxide. Brush the mixture on, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off thoroughly.
• To remove dead skin from your feet, soak them in warm water for 15 minutes then scrub with a mix of water and salt to exfoliate.
• Soothe a sore throat with tea infused with clove, ginger, and cinnamon and sweetened with honey.
  

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It's that time of year again. The first 2008 case of West Nile virus has been reported. A Phoenix-area man in his 60s is said to have contracted the virus; he's been released from the hospital and is recovering.

As spring continues to spring forth around the country, mosquitoes will be out and about. Here's a quick refresher course on protecting yourself from contracting the West Nile virus:

• Use insect repellent when outdoors.
• Eliminate any areas of standing water (birdbaths, kid-sized pools, bases of flower pots, etc) around your home.
• Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
• Install window and door screens and repair any holes or loose spots in existing screens.

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Growing up in a family where a clove of garlic meant the whole bulb, it's not surprising I love garlic -- lots and lots of garlic. But while the taste is divine, there are some drawbacks -- the smell of your house a few hours after cooking garlic, for one. And the smell of your breath that can last well into the next day is another definite downside. But considering how good it is for you, maybe it's worth it.

According to this article, garlic is not only good for your heart, but it's good for preventing cancer too. Other uses of garlic? It can help prevent mosquito bites in the summer, and it can keep those dreaded vampires away. And it's a great, low-cal way to liven up your cooking.

How do you use garlic?

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When we checked into a campground last week for a week-long vacation, the owner told me, "You'll like it here, we don't have any bugs." I laughed out loud, because camping and mosquitoes go together like bread and butter, right? I was happily surprised to find out he was telling the truth; the sandy soil meant there was no standing water for mosquitoes to breed. With the exception of a stray fly or bee, the entire week was happily bug free.

After reading this, I'm grateful. The West Nile virus, which has been pretty quiet the last few seasons, has flared this year and this season looks to be as bad or worse than 2003, when West Nile sickened 2,866 people. Though the virus can be found anywhere, it seems to be the worst in central and western states, probably due to the species of mosquitoes that live there. In addition, irrigation water is popular with the bug, and farmers are exposed to bites during long days in the fields.

There have been 42 reported cases so far this year and whether the trend continues depends mostly on the weather. Hot weather helps the virus grow inside of the mosquitoes, and late summer and fall that are cool in temperature may slow the spread of the disease. The best way to prevent West Nile is to prevent mosquito bites. Take a look at these suggestions to keep yourself and your family safe.

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