Le Zanzare (Mosquitoes)

Giardino Via di Sant'Onofrio 24A

There are two kinds of people in the world. The ones who either don’t get bitten by mosquitoes or whose bites don’t itch (and who think that people with itchy bites are just making too big a deal of it). Then there are the ones who get bitten a lot and whose bites are so itchy it drives them to a totally anxious, obsessive, self-absorption (and who feel completely misunderstood by the people in the first group). Those closest to us know that Brad is a type 1 and I am a type 2 (first-class honors), although in his defense I will say that Brad has humored me in many ways. (Which group do you fall in? You can post a comment … I was going to ask this at the end of the post but realized the type 1 folks probably won’t read that far, right?)

Verdant alley to our house from gate (in background) off Via di Sant'Onofrio

At any rate, who knew that our lovely little garden would be such a breeding ground? But it is low (just up from the street), surrounded by the house and blocked from the wind by trees, ivy-covered walls, and shrubs. I discovered the problem, to my dismay, the first night we were here with windows and doors wide open to the warm evening. Each day, I counted more and more bites and spent more time rubbing cream into them.

                                                     

Autan. That stuff burns! And the spray was too scary to consider

Of course, I should have realized from the mosquito equipment left out on the study table (a DEET-heavy roll-on repellent that burns the skin, cream for bites, two plug-ins attached to little vials of blue liquid, mosquito spray for the air, and so on). In the bedroom, there were two electric bug lights (one huge). Also, there has been intermittent rain, not to mention a drip-watering system that goes on three times a day creating ever-new breeding grounds. All they need is a tablespoon of water!

It's been raining on and off since we got here             

Not to mention there are no screens on the windows. It took me a few days to convince Brad we just needed to leave everything closed. And not just at night. All the time! Turns out that, while the native mosquitoes are active only during evening and night hours, the little invasive Asian ones are there all day long. Waaah! When we come home at night after dinner, I’m impatient, “Brad! Close that front door fast!” Luckily, there is a big oscillating fan that Brad brings from room to room with us, and the weather has been a little cooler. (Thank you, Brad.)

No window or door stays open now, especially not in the bedroom 

Did you know mosquitoes are the most dangerous creatures on earth? They kill 750,000 people a year by some accounts, the majority from malaria. And did you know the word comes from Italian: mal (bad) aria (air) and that it was known as the Italian national disease until eradicated in1962? Daisy Miller in Henry James’ novel dies of malaria contracted in the Coliseum (although people at the time didn’t know it was transmitted by mosquitoes). 

Lunch on the terrace early enough one sunny day to avoid the biting ...

Anyway, I’m not going to die (from my bites at least). But, ah, the images I had of spending the late summer sitting outside reading and writing blog posts, eating lunches and dinners alfresco, working on my tan up on the terrace. 

On the terrace

Some of the herb pots on the terrace

A view from the terrace back toward overlooking buildings

More potted plants and building views from terrace

In my obsessive google searches, I’ve read that mosquitos are less attracted to light-colored fabrics and can’t bite through loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and long legs. Also wearing socks helps to protect feet and lower legs, since the Asian ones apparently stay low to the ground. For several days, I went around the house in the same long white linen pants, a white top with long sleeves, and white Asics hiking socks. 

Some days are worse than others ...

There was no way, I was venturing up to the terrace in a swimsuit to sunbathe! It also took me a while to stop from slipping on the wooden floors in my socks while stomping around on the crutches. (Like I said, I owe Brad a debt of gratitude in so many ways!)

To the terrace ...

Silvio, the long-time gardener for our house, came by to see about an application to help keep the mosquitoes down but, with the continually expected rain, he’s not sure when he can do it. 

Silvio, our gardener, looking more like a college professor ... 

So the windows stay closed for now and I don’t go outside the house, except to go away to a restaurant or such. Out and about, they don’t seem to bother me, although I always spray some natural repellent I bought here that has a very heavy citronella-geranium smell. With the cooler weather, I tried sitting up the terrace late one afternoon but they were there, tormenting me, despite a huge repellant candle and my geranium perfume. 

Did I mention how great Brad has been? 

Yes, yes, I know how lucky I am to be here and all, but I don’t want to hear it. It was really good to complain. Thanks for listening!