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As you could read in my warning tip it's best to avoid being bitten by mosquitos because of the West Nile Virus. Here are some useful tips to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos :
Pack light coloured and long-sleeved clothing that includes long sleeved shirts or jackets, long pants, shoes, and tuck pants into socks for extra protection. Hahaha, as you could see in these pictures I hadn't read all these advices myself yet! But I will use them next time!
I found out the hard way that it's best to wear loose-fitting clothes made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from skin. Sigh.... they bit me right through my shirt and pants during one of my hikes :-( I also discovered as long as I kept moving the mosquito problem was bearable. But the moment I stood still to take a picture or have a break, they were zooming all around me ready to attack.
Besides the right clothing it is necesarry to use insect repellent. Use a federally regulated insect repellent containing DEET when mosquitoes are biting. Adults may use an insect repellent that contains no greater than 30% DEET and no greater than 10% for children. Apply the repellent to exposed skin, and clothing as well, because mosquitoes may bite through fabric. Do not apply repellent under clothing. If you don't like to use a repellent containing DEET there are some alternatives on the market. I have no clue how effective those are though.
Another good tip is to limit the use of colognes, perfumes, and scented body lotions that can attract mosquitoes and other biting insects.
Ontario Parks has a special section about the mosquitos and West Nile Virus on it's website. You can find lots more info and answer to many questions on this website :
http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/general_wn.html
I have been concentrating on the mosquitos in this tip, hahaha, but I forgot to mention those irritating black flies! Phew, those know how to bite you as well! But luckely they can't give you West Nile Virus. If you use these tips mentioned above you'll be protected against the black flies as well.
It all may sound very complicated and not inviting to go to the parks, but please don't let this stop you. The bugs are irritating, but with these few simple precautions I am sure you will have a fantastic time and it will be safe to visit :-)
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For 'grounded' plugs, flat blades (see previous tip), but with round grounding pin plug and receptable with side grounding contacts is used (see picture)
An adapter will allow you to plug an appliance designed for one type of outlet into another type of outlet. Despite the fact that more than a dozen different types of plugs are in use, a typical travel adapter kit usually contains about five adapters which are capable of dealing with most of the outlets shown here. Adapters often manage this versatility by bypassing the ground/earth wire.
Beware : an adapter by itself will not change the electrical voltage. You must be sure that your appliance can handle different voltages (either automatically or through a voltage switch). If it can't, you will need a voltage converter. Leave a Comment
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In case you want to bring any electrical appliances with you, here is the system Canada uses : 120 volts and 60 Hz. It is a flat blade attachment plug (see picture)
The two-blade plugs are often polarized, with one blade larger than the other. Most outlets are designed to handle these. The larger blade is the neutral side of the current. This is a safety feature intended so the plug can be inserted one way only to reduce the chance of accidental shock. If you try to plug a modern plug into an old-style receptacle for equal size blades, it won't go in unless you file down the larger blade to the older plug size. Leave a Comment
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Brrrr, the winter is cold in Ontario, so dress warm for it. Be prepare for cold, and when you get a a bit more to the north of the Province, also a lot of snow.
Hahahaha, I loved seeing these socks in the store though : "Chill busters" and "Polar Paws", I thought they were such fun names ;-))) Leave a Comment
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Bug repellent is essential especially in spring and early summer to ward off the mosquitos and black flies. Leave a Comment
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If you are going fishing for the day... its a good idea to bring along some toilet paper just in case. The photo shows an Upscale Forest Bathroom. Leave a Comment
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Back pack
good hiking shoes, a bathing suit, raincoat and a hat.
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Small waterproof backpack for day trips on boat.
Susan's mom says you should always wear clogs when on a boat... that way if you tip into the water, they will slide right off and you won't sink to the bottom of the lake.
Bring a rain coat! It rains a little... then stops and heats up... then rains a little... on and on. Leave a Comment
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More Province of Ontario Tips |
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on June 4, 2003
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