Summer Supplement

summer The Malta Independent on Sunday 16 July 2017

2

JULY 2017

There’s a

SUMMER space

Nothing beats resting and relaxing outside in summer and with a few tweaks here and there you can make any area a haven.

W

hether you have a tiny terrace, a cramped courtyard or a bijou balcony there are many ways to style the space you have in whatever theme you choose. To make it easier, decide what time of day your will be using it most. There’s breakfast at sunrise, the mid-morning break or afternoon siesta and finally a relaxing cold drink and supper at sunset.

And on our hot summer nights it’s nice to linger even longer in the moonlight. So decide how to best use and furnish your space or spaces and start bringing the indoors out.

Comfortable seating and lovely loungers are everywhere these days. Is your priority being able to eat and entertain outside with space for a barbeque and some plants? You can choose built-in benches, with storage included, one of the sets of table and seating that stack together or foldaway chairs and tables to save space. Decide where you will be storing these items and whether they will have to remain in place all the year round as that will influence what materials they should be made of. Are you longing for a shady sanctuary that clearly says ‘summer daze‘? If so look for comfortable chairbeds, hanging chairs and hammocks, even

You can choose built-in benches, with storage included, one of the sets of table and seating that stack together or foldaway chairs and tables to save space luxury deckchairs and bean bags, to totally relax in. Introduce a wall-mounted canopy or an umbrella for shade, and mosquito netting or gauze curtains for privacy. These could be hung from wooden frames for a light, rustic look and open or closed as required.

If your terrace or balcony is too overlooked, set out screens made from carved wood, sail cloth, linen or furnishing fabrics mounted on frames.

The style and pattern you choose could set

a theme – flower garden, Moroccan, Italian vineyard, nautical, if you are near the sea.

Whether you decide on a formal or rustic look may be influenced by the actual area you have to play around with. Either way most of the fun of creating your own zone is gathering the accessories. You are bound to have come across some interesting and useful small cupboards, benches, miniature sets of steps, lanterns, chests or vases, which you loved but left, because you had nowhere you put them.

With a whole new ‘room’ to equip these can now be yours.

So look for artistic plants to put in lovely and unusual containers, buy plain, unstained furniture pieces and paint them yourself. Do something completely different with upholstery, choosing colours and patterns that are not necessarily related to the rest of the house.

Now, you have a chance to be adventurous and create something entirely fresh and new, because a summer space is supposed to be full of imagination and dreams; somewhere to snatch a few minutes break in the middle of a long, hot, busy day or unwind as it draws to a close.

Use the space you have to set special areas. A small table and comfy chair in a little nook in a courtyard or under an archway, surrounded by stone pots or ornaments can be somewhere to read, or even work from home. A cane screen and

|

summer

summer

|

3

JULY 2017

By putting up narrow shelves, baskets or wooden packing crates you can display curious objects and collections with an outdoor theme tall, green plants in pots can provide a cool place for children to play, in a paddling pool, tent or sandpit. If it can be situated near a smooth wall, put up a black or white board so they can do their own graffiti. Meals can be served at a tiny table or little ones can picnic on mats and cushions.

Most of all, your summer spot should offer peace and quiet. Keep night lighting subtle, candles in a weird collection of candlesticks and tea lights in exotic jars and lanterns are always calming. But there are breezes blowing somewhere on our islands almost all the year round, so electric lighting is essential as back up. Again, you will find something to suit your style in most home and lighting outlets. Make sure whatever you choose is designed for outside use and that the connections and switches are weather proof. Take time and trouble over this. Safety is important and running a table lamp from indoors via an extension plug can be asking for trouble.

Other touches to make your garden ‘room‘ extra welcoming and reflect your interests and artistic flair can be added by using walls and railings.

Plant pots full of succulents can hang over balcony rails disguising them and giving a depth and colour to the area. By putting up narrow shelves, baskets or wooden packing crates you can display curious objects and collections with an outdoor theme. Cushions, blinds, cloths and throws are a way to introduce colour and soften outlines and are useful when the evenings get cooler. If your space is a bit of a basic square or rectangle, break it up a bit with a small rockery. There’s no need to import tons of soil, use ordinary plant pots arranged on different levels. The plants will soon grow to disguise the pots and surrounding them with different pieces of stone will create the right effect. You could also build a downsized version of a dry stone wall and add one or two caper plants and some wild thyme to bring the countryside closer.

Mirrors in interesting frames,

stained glass, individual tiles from different sources, even pictures or a mural make attractive features for bare wall space and give the area yet another dimension. So, also will a small water feature or fountain with its tranquil sound of water flowing and the cooling atmosphere it creates.

And if a new, bare or older neglected space still looks like the sort of challenge you just don’t want to begin just remember, there are months of summer still left and it would be heavenly to spend as much of them as possible in your own small patch of paradise.

4

JULY 2017

|

summer

Food is the new black Our appetites tend to be smaller in the summer but unusual food and recipes are always tempting.

E

very year a new food fad pops up, usually in summer. We’ve had avocado on toast, coconut – milk, oil and every which way – assorted seaweeds, endless grasses, beans and berries, and whatever Gwyneth Paltrow dreams up in her spare time, toted as the latest nourishment source. But not a lot of it has been black.

Disregarding such foods as black olives, burnt toast and caviar, which we are used to seeing in that shade, we thought it would be fun to introduce three everyday dishes which have just acquired this striking hue. If they do not immediately appear on local menus and pop-up kiosks in the coming weeks you’re sure to be able to find them on an overseas trip.

Firstly, that staple of order-in or eat-anywhere dishes, the pizza. Move over cheesy crust and deep-pan dough. Now you can have a black-base pizza – on purpose. Some of the credit for this goes to its dramatic appearance, although it rather depends on what toppings you choose, so photogenic are Carbone dough pizzas that they now star in hundreds of instagrams a day.

And a happy bonus to this is that we may now have a pizza that can claim to be half healthy. The

special effect of the dark and delicious crust, which has been described as having a slightly smoky flavour, although that’s a matter of taste, is not down to a distracted chef or a faulty oven. It is the result of including activated charcoal, or activated carbon in the recipe. This is nothing like the charcoal in your barbeque, but resembles the version used in water filtration systems. It apparently absorbs toxins and reduces cholesterol, which no doubt accounts for its popularity in health food shops and spas. And while no intensive studies have proved this, it is used by doctors to treat people who have been poisoned.

Another staple dish to go dark is pasta. Now, making more than just novelty appearances in public, it is pasta coloured black with cuttlefish ink and is described as handsome and delicious. But if you’re not convinced, try legume-based black bean pasta which has a mild flavour, looks stunning and is gluten free.

Naturally, black pasta is recommended with seafood but served alongside the usual white version or with fresh, flakey white fish it could well be one of the most artistic dishes you serve this summer.

And so we come to ice-cream. Yes, it now comes in black to. And considering its potential as a sophisticated and decadent dessert it’s a wonder this hasn’t happened before. A family firm in London has

Al Ponte Pizzeria & Restaurant

A

l Ponte is renowned as one of the best restaurants on the island. It is highly esteemed for its delicious Mediterranean food complimented by a wide selection of local and foreign wines.

The restaurant’s open kitchen allows anyone to appreciate our chefs at work, preparing mouth-watering

dishes including a wide selection of pizza cooked to perfection in our renowned stone oven.

This celebrated à la carte restaurant boasts a rustic vault ceiling over a beautiful terrace for the enjoyment of al fresco dinning throughout the year.

Al Ponte also offers a Cafeteria Menu including a Baker’s corner during the morning hours, whereas

the full menu is then served from mid-day onwards.

MARITIM Antonine Hotel & Spa George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha MLH 1021 T: 2289 2245 E: info@alponterestaurant.com F: alponterestaurant

summer

|

5

JULY 2017

RECIPE

Seafood black pasta launched Black Coconut ice-cream made with full-cream milk, which arrives fresh from a dairy each morning, and coconut.

And it’s black because it also uses the exotic ingredient coconut ash. To be precise, this is the charred remains of powdered coconut shells and gives the ice cream its unusually gothic look. The flavour is described as a feast for both the taste buds and the eyes and it can be served in a black cone, jazzed up with coloured sprinkles if you’re feeling frivolous.

And as a social media’s favourite it is bound to catch on; at least until all the photo ops and shock value die down, probably within less than six months.

Serve to impress. Supper parties will never be the same.

Serve this perfect summer dish and add an extra, artistic touch to lunch or supper.

INGRIEDIENTS • 60ml of olive oil •500 grams medium shrimps, remove shells and deveined (tails optional) •12 medium scallops •3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced •1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes •Salt and freshly ground black pepper •180ml of dry white wine •78ml of ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped •120ml chopped fresh parsley leaves •60ml of lemon juice •1 tablespoon unsalted butter •500 grams squid ink pasta

DIRECTIONS •Bring a large pot of slightly salted water to the boil. Heat the oil slowly in a heavy pan until it is lightly smoking. Add the shrimps and sauté for about a minute on each side, until they look opaque then put them onto a plate.

Reheat the oil and cook the scallops for about two minutes, till they are opaque and slightly browned then put them on the plate with the shrimps.

Add the garlic to the pan, stir until it is golden brown then add the red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, wine, tomato and parsley and cook over a high heat to reduce it by half, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the lemon juice and the butter then return the seafood to the pan. Mix it in well and keep everything warm.

•Cook the pasta in the boiling water until it is al dente. Drain it well and return it to the pot. Stir the seafood in well and serve immediately.

6

JULY 2017

|

summer

I

t’s the time of year when we expect to be at our best, which is hardly surprising since sunlight increases the production of seratonin and dopamine, the mood-lifting chemicals in the brain. Another huge benefit of sunlight is vitamin D, vital for the development and health of our bones, and the halting of symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. This is the is aptly named condition where too little exposure to sunlight makes people very depressed.. So any time spent feeling under the weather is a waste of summer, when we should be busy soaking up all the health-giving elements of this happy season.

However, all this heat can also have a negative effect on our mental health. The performance of skilled mental or physical tasks and our powers of judgment can be adversely affected by heat fatigue.

And while a sun tan is still a popular look with so many people, all the advice in the world about avoiding the damaging, strong rays cuts little ice with the thousands of sun worshipers lining our beaches and lidos all summer long. To get the very best from long, hot, summer days means remembering all the different ways our bodies react to heat and the results of those reactions. In other words, being careful to be cool.

For example, the ‘healthy’ glow summer gives us is actually just blood vessels dilating as the heart pumps more blood to the skin to cool it. The more blood that is pumped, the more heat we lose – something to think about if you have even a slight heart condition or irregular blood pressure.

The body’s other cooling system is sweating, which only works cleanly and efficiently when we stay constantly topped up with fluid, preferably plain water. It is surprisingly easy to become dehydrated and this can stay unnoticed until uncomfortable symptoms, including thirst, headaches and exhaustion become really uncomfortable and, sometimes even dangerous.

Too much exposure to severe heat can cause the skin’s sebaceous glands to produce more oil, encouraging spots. Irritating bouts of prickly heat, which can appear if the sweat glands become blocked, can be easily cured by washing frequently.

And if you wonder why rings and watch straps and even clothes and shoes become tight, and your feet are always killing you in the heat it’s simple really. Hands and feet become swollen by those bloating blood vessels again, dilating to release more fluid to cool the body down. In fact, even while sitting, standing or walking, the fluid collecting in the feet could increase the size of our feet by a whole shoe size. But there is a way to help this which is perfect for a summer’s day – relax with your feet up.

It’s no wonder everything looks better in summer.

Sunlight adds a colourful glow to the most ordinary sites but do gaze at them through tinted lenses, especially those that filter UV rays. Scientists have not quite discovered how it happens, but they have proved that UV light passing through the lens causes a chemical reaction resulting in opaque cells being produced, instead of transparent ones. Too much of this process can lead to sight problems, including cataracts forming and the very serious risk of the retina becoming burned, which would cause permanent eye damage.

People who use St John’s Wort as a herbal remedy need to know that one of its active ingredients, hypericin, reacts with sunlight and damages the proteins in the body which are responsible for making the lens of the eye transparent. It has also been shown to make the skin more sensitive to light.

In the heat of the sun We long for summer’s sunny days with their bright-light mornings and an air of relaxation that makes it good to be alive. But should summer carry a health warning!

Our hair may benefit from the flattering blond streaks and highlights that appear so ‘naturally’ in summer but, funnily enough, the hair comprises the three primary colours – blue, yellow and red. Blue is the weakest, and as the sun’s heat causes the ‘scales‘ on the hair shaft to lift the blue hair colour molecules can be damaged. This makes the lighter, bleached colour from the yellow and red molecules stand out. Sun also strips the hair shaft of proteins, drying it out, leaving it brittle and straw-like. The only remedy for this is to apply an intensive protein moisturiser.

Summer heat often gives stiff joints and sockets relief.

Muscles relax and the movement of muscle fibres is easier so the muscles can produce more power, which is good if you’re exercising. But on the downside, heat can also lead to muscle cramps, caused when you lose too much salt through sweating. The best remedy or precaution is to take a little salt in drinks.

Even our sense of taste is influenced by the hot weather. Sweet things taste sweeter, probably because heat affects catecholamines, which are the hormones that regulate the levels of glucose in the blood and they increase the level of blood sugar.

Quite why surveys have revealed that people eat more sausages and ready-made meals, such as pizza, when it’s hot is not immediately clear, until you factor in barbeques and a natural reluctance to spend too much time in a steamy kitchen on a lovely summer night. But we do all know why an ice-cream company found its sales went up by 10% for each degree that the temperature rose, all summer long. When we are tempted to test the limits of the sun’s mighty heat we do so at our peril. Much better to remember the usual health warnings urging us to eat cool meals, take frequent drinks and stay in the shade. Then we can truly enjoy the magical summer we dream of all year.

summer

|

7

JULY 2017

Water is life

I

t’s common knowledge that humans can live longer without food than water and that the advice to drink more liquids in hot weather is good advice.

What is not widely understood is that this actually means pure water. Fruit juices, soft drinks, tea, or coffee, do not have quite the same hydrating properties; in fact sugar and caffeine actually dehydrate the body.

Pure, filtered tap water is best, but here in Malta most people opt for bottled water. And while we’re on the subject it’s a good idea to use bottled water for ice cubes to.

But just how important is drinking at least two litres of water a day? Well it is simply vital if you want to lose weight, often hunger pangs are your body’s signal that it really needs more water. A glass of water can replace an extra snack and taken before a main meal will help you to eat much less and still feel full.

There’s a reason why health advisors keep on at us to drink more water in summer, we cannot function without it.

Also, without water our cells cannot create energy and their signals to the brain for more ‘supplies’ will be interpreted by us as ‘eat more food’!

Since there may not be a stack of carrot sticks on hand to intercept these signals, a delicious but ultimately fattening snack will have to do, with inevitable results.

The habit of sipping water through the day is easier to get into during the hot summer months and will have excellent results. Because only water can ensure: Clear, glowing skin because properly hydrated skin can easily rid itself of the toxins that cause, inflammation, spots, acne, general blotchiness dryness, discolouration and wrinkles.

Normal blood pressure because blood is approximately 92% water to help it move freely through the veins and arteries. Staying fully hydrated helps to prevent high blood pressure and other cardiovascular ailments.

Reduce the risk of asthma and allergic reactions because the body creates more histamines, the compounds which help to regulate our immune response, when it is dehydrated. This causes feelings of congestion, breathing difficulties and other allergic reactions as the body responds to foreign bodies.

Help lower cholesterol by preventing the body from producing more cholesterol to help the dehydrated cells which are trying to function efficiently.

Fight fatigue as one of the body’s most important sources of energy to help cells complete important enzymatic activities, ensuring good sleep, restoration of bodily systems and enough energy to get you through your day.

Deplete digestive disorders helping to eliminate and reduce ulcers, bloating, gas, gastritis, acid reflux, and purge toxins and metabolic wastes efficiently.

Banish bacteria from the bladder and kidneys including unwanted microbes

that might collect in these organs, which without proper hydration cannot perform their task of eliminating stored toxins and bodily waste.

Mobility through drinking enough to supply the padding in our cartilage, which is largely made up of water, so our bones do not feel stiff and our joints are protected and repairs to injured joints can heal faster.

And, as if that was not enough, remember water is an elixir of youth.

Staying dehydrated for any length of time makes the cells, organs and the whole body system work overtime, meaning that we will age faster. Water is one of the best anti-aging products you can take. And it doesn’t have to be boring. Add some lemon juice, with a little sea salt for a drink after exercise. Drink it with some crushed slices of cucumber, orange, lemon, or fresh berries or steep fresh mint, lemon balm or rosemary leaves in a jug of water overnight, for some variety.

8

JULY 2017

|

summer

Through the glass Protecting our eyes from the of the sun’s harmful rays means looking for both style and safety.

A

s attractive accessories or distinctive disguises sun glasses have been around for centuries.

In prehistoric times, the Inuit protected their eyes from the glare of the sun on snow by looking through narrow slits cut in discs of walrus ivory, carved and flattened into shape and held on by leather ties. The Roman emperor, Nero, apparently liked to watch gladiator fights through green ‘glasses’ cut from emeralds.

And, in the12th century, glasses made from flat panes of smoky quartz, were worn by Chinese judges in the ancient courts. But rather than as a shield from the sun these glasses, which were kept on by weights which hung down behind the ears, used to conceal the judges’ facial expressions when they were questioning witnesses.

Tinted lenses, as we now know them, first appeared in the middle of the 18th century, when James Ayscough, an English optician who designed and made scientific instruments, started experimenting with blue or green glass lenses in the belief that they could help correct certain vision defects.

Since the 1920s, when movie stars and gangsters never left home without their shades, presumably to avoid recognition or to hide the results of late nights and riotous living, sunglasses have become statement items for most of us.

Now, in the 21st century, made with gradient or anti-glare lenses, in various colour tones and materials such as beautiful woods, anti-allergy substances and shatter-proof plastics, sun glasses are produce amazing efffects.

Apart from simply shading our eyes from the sun, they have significantly improved the quality of vision for millions of people with sight problems. The availability of tinted prescription lenses and so many ‘designer’ models means styles can be chosen to suit any number of different outfits, occasions and locations.

Pilots, navigators and other outdoor professionals use them as

much for health and safety as appearance. And anyone wanting to stare unobserved or feign anonymity is grateful for the privacy they provide.

But, the most important thing is to buy the very best pair you can afford, not just for the look but because it is important that they really protect the eyes from harmful UV radiation.

The colour of a lens alone cannot guarantee protection.

Inefficient dark lenses cause the pupils to enlarge allowing

The world looked rosy through these 1960s flower power frames

Inuit snow goggles

Extremely rare folding vintage Pierre Cardin unisex sunglasses from1970

Premium military mirrored lens metal aviator sunglasses

Unique vintage Steampunk starburst pattern round sunglasses

summer

|

9

JULY 2017

s smartly Cat’s eye frames from the 1950s

more unfiltered radiation to enter. More harm than good be done by such lenses.

To make sure the glasses fit well enough to prevent light reaching the eyes from the sides go for wrap-around shades, wide arms or leather ‘blinkers’ at the top of the arms. Having lenses measured by a qualified optician or, at least, buying those guaranteed to offer the best protection, usually sports and Polaroid models from specialist outlets, is the only way to assess the actual protection of the sun glasses you choose.

To say sight is precious is a fatuous understatement so make sure you only put style over appearance at the times

when you’re not driving, when the sun is not at its highest and when you are sure you can avoid facing it – never when you are on a blinding white ski slope or a boat with the sun reflecting off the sea.

And, whichever frames or shades you choose, think twice before you chuck them out when you are tired of them.

Styles come back into fashion quite frequently. There are also a huge number of people who collect vintage, special use and novelty sun glasses. And the trade in discontinued designer ranges can easily be described as very bright indeed.

Classic and decorated frames for flair and fun

Outback It’s simply a matter of taste!

T

he Outback name stands for quality, innovation and total commitment to our partners, stockists and end users alike.

Outback company is focused on providing our loyal partners, and discerning barbecue customers everywhere, with a comprehensive range of cutting-edge products year after year, ensuring Outback products remain amongst the best and most reliable in the marketplace.

As an innovative supplier Outback always strives to respond to market demand quickly and efficiently, in keeping with the reputation which Outback has firmly established and greatly values. It is totally committed to bringing you the very best in safety and performance, backed up by ISO9001 approval and various safety certificates from testing authorities worldwide, with

all our gas range rigorously tested in accordance with the relevant safety standards.

Since its first products were developed in 1997, Outback has firmly established itself across five continents and the US and is widely accepted for its premium quality and excellent value for money. A dedicated team remains fully committed to excellence innovation, partnership and a drive to constantly deliver new and better products, as the ever-changing market demands.

HomeTrends is very proud of what Outback has achieved to date, and even more excited about our future.

The Outback full Outback BBQ range is available in stock at HomeTrends, in San Ġwann and Żebbuġ. Malta.

W: www.hometrends.com.mt , F: Hometrendscomplex T: 2144 5654 E: shop@hometrends.com.mt

10

JULY 2017

|

summer

Keeping pests at bay Flying insects and creepy, crawly creatures can ruin summer picnics and barbeques, but there are plenty of ways to banish them.

A

side from the possibility of dangerous allergic reactions insect bites and stings are uncomfortable, ugly and can even cause an infection.

Moths, termites, ants and cockroaches may not attack humans but the damage they can cause to fabrics, un-protected food, paper, wood and even stone can be very serious indeed. And sometimes it goes unnoticed until too late.

Now is the time to tackle these pests.

We spend more time out of doors so if rooms need to be closed off for exterminators to do their work it is not such a big deal. And, as many people feel a fresh breeze from open windows is more comfortable than air-conditioning windows can be left open longer if there is a continuous attack on whatever hungry insect is tempted fly in.

Gardens, roof rooms, outdoor storage areas and wood piles are the equivalent of luxury accommodation to these little horrors; mosquitoes also adore a small pond or even a watering can with water

left in it to use as a breeding ground.

Wasps are drawn to dry rotting wood and fruit and cockroaches, travelling on land or flying, can appear from anywhere. But, since wasps are not fond of mint or basil, growing some in pots and spreading these around will help put them off building a nest nearby.

Wasps do not attack humans in general. You are more likely to be stung if you bite into a piece of food which an unseen wasp is already enjoying, or if you react to their presence by desperately flapping and swatting till they become enraged enough to sting back. It may not be easy to stay motionless till they fly off but it really is the best thing.

Natural deterrents that deter or kill wasps, at least in small areas, include mixing two tablespoons of washing up liquid and water in a spray bottle and firing. Death is almost instant. Hanging wasp traps made of jam jars with a small hole drilled in the lid, and some sugar and water inside to lure in the greedy wasp, are also effective if you can endure the frantic buzzing of the poor things trying to escape; and disposing of them safely afterwards.

Get ready for a magical escape as UNITE with Tomorrowland brings the ultimate festival experience to Malta

O

n Saturday, July 29th, international DJs will perform in Malta on a 35-metre stage, designed by Tomorrowland.

A magical connection from Belgium will be made with MALTA producing a

mesmerizing show with synchronized lighting and pyrotechnics. This event will take place at the Marsa Sports Grounds.

Budweiser is the official beer of UNITE with Tomorrowland Malta.

Believe it or not there is even a recipe for a natural mosquito deterrent which involves boiling crushed garlic in water for some time, pouring the liquid into a spray bottle and squirting it around the room. This remedy will apparently kill the mosquitoes. It is also highly like to nauseate everyone in the area and drive them away to so, perhaps, not to be recommended.

Easier by far would be to buy one of the many commercial flytraps, or a timed spray gadget which emits a liquid based spray. Choose a pyrethrum, a natural toxin extracted from the chrysanthemum. These can be set to spray regularly and used overnight when insects are at their most active. The best choice for outside is one of the ultra violet light or garden lantern zappers that can often look like attractive lamps and may emit a satisfying ping sound whenever a flying insect goes in too close.

But if you’re not near any static devices you will need something to wear, especially in the case of hornets, midges, mosquitoes and all those annoying flies that bite. There are dozens of oil based products containing citronella, pepper-

mint oil, lavender, geranium, lemongrass and other decent smelling ingredients.

Most of these are very effective. However, some insect repellents, even those with only natural ingredients, are not safe for children or may contain allergens so check the contents and read any instructions carefully.

Then there are the products that combine insect repellents and sunscreen.

Disease control and prevention experts recommend avoiding those that mix sunscreen and the insect repellent containing deet. The frequent and liberal application of sunscreens could lead to unnecessarily high exposure to the repellent. Also, mosquitoes usually bite later in the day, when there is less risk of sun damage anyway.

In the case of moths, fruit flies, cockroaches, silver fish and, for the most part, ants these do not sting or bite. They do however eat precious clothes and possessions and invade food stores, dried goods, drains and our peace of mind. Cockroaches require heavy duty extermination, name your method. Ants can be redirected from anywhere by lay-

summer

|

11

JULY 2017

Who attracts the most mozzies? ing trails of salt or borax in their paths. Moths need to be kept from nesting and breeding in the region of their food source. Some people may actually find the camphor smell of mothballs nostalgic.

Others would prefer cedar, sandalwood or cinnamon. These are all efficient moth removers. But if they are taking over and soft furnishings and carpets are at risk, send for the professionals.

The same goes any invading insect that returns after a good spraying. And if you live in an older house, a multi-dwelling unit or in the countryside it’s a good idea to book a pest risk assessment to ensure no unwelcome guests have moved in, because before you see any signs, they all breed like, well flies, and can do untold damage.

Panthenol SunburnRelief Panthenol SunburnRelief products based on 10% dpanthenol come in three formats: Panthenol GEL with menthol and vitamin E for a better cooling and moisturizing effect, reducing the feeling of skin itching and dryness after excessive exposure to sunlight.

Panthenol S.O.S FOAM formula with a combination of panthenol and allantoin ensures effective skin care after sunburns by nourishing, rehydrating and soothing irritated surface layers of the skin.

Panthenol LOTION with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera for a soothing, moisturizing effect that relieves the burning sensation and redness and which aids the regeneration of the skin after excessive exposure to the sun.

Trade Enquiries 21244847

Mosquitoes have definite preferences when it comes to targeting their food and these are the people they home in on most: • People with blood group O attract more biting insects than those with A, B, or AB blood.

They also seem to pounce on visitors from cooler climates, with ‘thicker’ blood, presumably.

Chatter boxes – mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, so they are drawn to those who exhale, talk/breathe more than others.

Anyone who is sweating heavily or has a high body temperature is sending ‘dinner is served’ signals to mosquitoes, so look out when you have been exercising or at crowded places of outdoor entertainment.

Heavy drinkers and mosquitoes have a lot in common. Who knew that mosquitoes prefer those who drink alcohol to those who don’t? But who wants to sip those cocktails indoors on a beautiful summer night? Just remember to take your ‘Bugoff‘ gel wherever you go.