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Bribing Bugs
If you're a regular reader, you might notice a trend developing in The Natural Resource. We've been lamenting about, and offering solutions for, many of the minor annoyances that come with being an Outdoor Pro. Last month, we tackled poison ivy. This month, Product Pro Brian writes about stinging nettles. It only seems natural that the topic of mosquitoes come up. Here in Wisconsin this bug has sucked up more than its share of conversations. For most of us in this part of the country, it's not a matter of if you've been bitten, but how many mosquito bites you have.
The real mystery is why some people are a smorgasbord for mosquitoes while others seem to get away with being a mere hors d'oeurve. Carbon dioxide is a factor but scientists believe it might have something to do with our sweat. Regardless, the bites are driving some of us crazy. One person on the Ben Meadows team swears by a poultice of hydrocortisone cream, calamine, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial soap. Unfortunately, by the time he's done mixing up a batch, he's too tired to bother applying it.
So where do Outdoor Pros find relief from these creatures that transmit diseases to an estimated 70 million people around the globe each year? You can check out our Tech Info document #258 on West Nile Virus. It offers some tips and product recommendations that will help. But there may be an even more effective solution: There are bits of Japanese folklore that claim that mosquitoes are the reincarnations of people who were greedy in a past life. So the next time you feel that familiar tingle on your arm, instead of swatting that pest, try offering it a buck or two. You might spend the rest of your work day mosquito free.
Gary Ben Meadows Team Leader g.clark@benmeadows.com
P.S. Some of you wrote us about our description of Product Manager, Paul trying to deal with the summer heat by wearing cross country skis to work. You wanted to know what that looks like. You can find out on the Ben Meadows Facebook page.
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Close Encounters with Stinging Nettle
This month, Product Pro Brian writes about dealing with stinging nettle in the field.
Last month we spoke about poison ivy prevention and treatment. This month, I want to talk about a different plant that I have personally had a few bad encounters with — Stinging Nettle.
This herbaceous perennial in the genus Urtica is common in moist areas throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and Africa. It has been known to have many medicinal and nutritional uses. But to most people it is a nuisance. The leaves and stem have many small hairs that when touched, break off and act like hypodermic needles that inject histamines and other irritating chemicals into your skin. The effect typically lasts only a few hours, but can be painful and irritating. The plant is easy to identify, but is sometimes hard to avoid as it grows in dense patches and can reach heights of more than 7 feet.
The best way to prevent exposure is to avoid the plant. If avoiding stinging nettle is not possible, wear pants, long sleeves and gloves to help prevent the plant from touching your skin. If you do get stung, there a few things you can do to help reduce the effects and alleviate the pain. First, if possible, remove the stinging hairs. This usually can’t be done with your fingers or tweezers, but if you place a strip of tape on your skin, the hairs will stick to the tape and pull out of your skin when the tape is peeled off. If no tape is available, placing a thin layer of mud on your skin, letting it dry and then brushing it off can help pull some of the hairs out.
Once you have removed as many of the hairs as possible, you should clean the affected area. Applying an anti-histamine or other anti-itch cream such as Tecnu® Calagel® or Tecnu® Rash Relief will help alleviate the pain and itching. You should avoid scratching and touching the area and the swelling and pain will go away, usually in a few hours.
Stinging Nettle grows fast and can quickly take over an area. Mowing and cutting will help, but these activities can sometimes cause the plant to grow back more densely. Regular tilling or use of a herbicide such as Roundup® QuickPRO® or Rodeo® can help reduce the re-emergence of these plants.
Source: "Stinging nettle" Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 26 July 2011. Web. 08 Aug. 2011.
The Natural Resource Editor's Challenge! Last month we asked this question: How many distribution centers does Ben Meadows have throughout the nation to bring you the products you order as quickly as possible?
Bill from Pennsylvania knows that we have three distribution centers across the nation to get you what you need when you need it!
We're sending Bill a LEATHERMAN® Blast® Multi-Tool with Leather Sheath!
Take a look at our latest catalog or use our website (www.benmeadows.com) for help with this month's challenge. Don't have a catalog? You can get a free copy of our catalog. Now here's the question: What are we giving away on the cover of our latest catalog? If you know, send us the correct answer before Sept. 12, 2011. All correct answers will be entered into a drawing. The winner will receive a LEATHERMAN® Blast® Multi-Tool with Leather Sheath (a $53.00 value)! Be sure to include your name, mailing address and how best to contact you. Send your answers to: editor@benmeadows.com
Complete contest rules available. Government and healthcare customers are not eligible for free offers.
The goal of The Natural Resource is to provide accurate information on the subject matters covered. However, it is impossible to guarantee absolute accuracy of the materials. Therefore, the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for omissions, errors or misprinting contained within this publication. GHC Specialty Brands, LLC. P.O. Box 1368, Janesville, WI 53547-1368, USA Tel: 800-356-0783 Fax: 800-543-9910. *OWNERSHIP OF SUBMISSIONS By sending letters, email, images, messages, suggestions, ideas, or concepts (each, a "Submission"), whether unsolicited or solicited, to Ben Meadows you are granting the Company a royalty-free, nonexclusive, perpetual, unrestricted, worldwide license to publish, transmit, perform, display and otherwise use the Submission for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotional purposes. No credit or compensation is due to you for such use. The Company also has the right, but not the obligation, to use your name, city and state in connection with print, online or other use or publication of your submission. All submissions become the property of Ben Meadows and may be edited for use.
© 2012 GHC Specialty Brands, LLC. Reference Number: WB0000
