THEY are back!

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March 30, 2005· Filed Under Life in Italy  Tags: , , , , , , ,

They are one of the least pleasant aspects of living here. They arrive with the heat and attack you when you are at your most vulnerable, that is when you are wearing fewer clothes, such as when it’s hot.

There are many devices for keeping them at bay. At this time of year, shelves in the local supermarkets start to fill up with a bewildering variety of sprays, vapourisers, creams, candle like things, portable ‘hang on your belt’ battery powered fan type things, spiral things which you burn, geraniums, and last but by no means least (and very effective) little stove thingies which ‘burn’ small rectangles of venom impregnated cardboard. (Sorry, if I happen to have missed a few devices.)

Yes, I am not the only one who finds these wonders of nature extremely irritating. We have a veritable armory of appliances designed to fend them off, but no matter how hard you try, the little blighters always seem to get you.

Of course when it is hot you open the windows, but if you don’t invest in yards of netting, they will get to you. There is no escape. And even if you foil them by putting in air conditioning, you will not be safe.

These crafty little pests just wait patiently until you decide to venture forth into the outside world. Which you will, after all who can resist the stunning intense blue of the Mediterranean skies here. They know this, they know you will come out of your house; especially when you are tempted into a nice little outdoor aperitif with well meaning friends; and these little gatecrashers will be there. Waiting, waiting to party all over you, and gorge themselves on your red corpuscles. They bite you everywhere and can easily penetrate light clothing. Boy do they leave their mark. Often lots of marks, which will then itch for what seems like an eternity causing you to scratch into the skin on your legs so deeply that you finally reach blood.

These little darlings also practice a subtle form of psychological warfare designed to keep you awake all through the night. A clever ploy, by the morning you will be so exhausted, so mentally drained that they will easily be able to drink their fill. Then they will hide and digest, before initiating yet another night long campaign. They are insatiable.

I think you know what type of beast I am on about. I feel sure Stephen King could come up with an endearing little tale about them.

Yes, you little blighter, sitting there on my shoulder about to tuck in, I’m talking about you. Do your worst, but please try not to leave a very itchy wound. I’m sure my skin is now several layers thinner. Have pity, I pray you.

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5 Responses to “THEY are back!”

  1. Jessica, Italy Logue said on June 5th, 2008 7:50 pm

    I fear the humid Milan summers, and the mosquitoes that come with them. Either the apartment we end up living in will have screens on the windows, or we’ll have to install some! No, it’s not a total solution, but at least it’ll help… Right? Right??

  2. AlexR said on June 5th, 2008 10:27 pm

    Hi Jessica,

    The screens should help, but the little blighters are expert at evading all manner of protective measures.

    My favourite solution for ending that sickening whining around your head while you are in bed is mentioned here:
    http://www.blogfromitaly.com/zapping-the-mozzies

    Very satisfying too!

    Cheers,

    Alex

  3. Cherrye at My Bella Vita said on June 6th, 2008 11:03 am

    GREAT post, Alex. Hilarious. A lot of that stuff you plug in works well, but it gives me a headache… and I thought TX was bad!

  4. bleeding espresso said on June 6th, 2008 5:03 pm

    I knew *exactly* what you were talking about from the first sentence. Hate ‘em, hate ‘em, hate ‘em…couldn’t hate ‘em any more if I tried!

  5. AlexR said on June 6th, 2008 11:42 pm

    @Cherrye - Thanks! :-)

    @Michelle - I’m pretty sure that anyone who has been in Italy for any length of time would have cottoned on pretty quickly!

    Best regards to you both,

    Alex

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