We’re still using propane to heat the water for the shower (and the kitchen sink, but that should be fixed after we receive a plumbing part next Tuesday). We go through a small (about four gallon) propane tank every 4-8 weeks, so it isn’t really a lot but I still am going to convert it to solar as soon as is practical. In the mean time, though, the tanks occasionally have to be changed.
I have always been particularly susceptible to mosquito bites. I always dreaded hearing people say “the mosquitoes aren’t bad at all this year” because it meant that I would currently find two or more feeding on me at that instant. Worse, the bites would itch fiercely for days, swell up impressively, and often blister, ulcerate and bleed (yes, even when they were in places I couldn’t scratch). It’s called skeeter syndrome and it’s no fun. HA was actually quite concerned that I wouldn’t be able to tolerate life on the island because of mosquito bites. Fortunately, one develops tolerance over time with repeated exposure. Between my bite zapper and my Thermacell, I got by until my tolerance seemed to improve. I don’t use topical repellents and I’m almost always wearing shorts, aloha shirts, and rubbah slippah and I don’t suffer. Except when I’m changing the propane tank.
Ever since HA returned from her mainland trip she’s been having bad reactions to bites. I empathize and I wish her a speedy return to tolerance! I wouldn’t have thought five weeks was enough to lose tolerance, but apparently it is.
There are other times, too, and I try not to stand still outdoors during the worst hours and there are places I avoid. I break out the Thermacell if I have to work in a bad spot or stand still, especially during morning and evening hours. Otherwise, I don’t think about it much but the propane tanks still get me.
Why? I think it’s a combination of factors. The shower is in a jungle-like part of the property (that’s part of the outdoor shower’s charm). I’m usually breathing pretty heavily by the time I’ve toted the full tank down there. Then I have to stand in one place, bent over, while I do the tricky dance required to align the propane coupling to the tank and screw it in place. So I’m breathing hard (CO2 attracts mosquitoes), my hands are occupied so I can’t swat them away, I’m in an environment where they like to congregate, and I’m standing still. Perfect target.
I could take the Thermacell with me, but it actually takes about 15 minutes to warm up and emit enough repellent to make a difference, and that’s more time than the actual tank connection takes. What I’ve found, instead, is that I can carry the tank down and then leave. Then I can let my respiration rate normalize, hyperventilate a bit, then go back to the jungle and connect the tank before I have to start breathing again. It seems to work.
—2p