Best types of stone to use in you next construction project

The scope of a construction project might range from a modest remodel to a massive new build. The significance of using high-quality materials in construction has not changed since the invention of buildings. Stone has been used for ages because of its durability, adaptability, and aesthetic appeal in buildings.

Choosing the perfect sort of stone for your project might be difficult because there are so many different kinds of stone available. Fear not, though, as we will go further into some of the greatest stone kinds on the market. We’ll go through the special qualities, benefits, and drawbacks of each stone so you can choose wisely for your upcoming building project.

Understanding the many varieties of stone that are available can give you an advantage in selecting the best decision, whether you’re constructing a new home, remodeling your current home, or creating a commercial structure. So relax, take a seat, and let’s explore the world of stone building!

Granite

For generations, architects and builders have relied on granite for its strength and durability. The cooling and solidification of magma or lava yields this igneous rock, which is both tough and long-lasting. Granite’s unusual and appealing look comes from the combination of many minerals, including feldspar, quartz, and mica. It’s versatile since it may be used either inside or outside, and it comes in a broad variety of colors, textures, and patterns.

Granite’s resilience is a major benefit when it comes to building with it. It stands up well to various elements in the environment, doesn’t wear down easily, and won’t rust, making it perfect for outdoor use. Unlike some other stones, granite doesn’t need to be sealed or polished; therefore, it requires very little upkeep. Since it can simply be wiped off with soap and water, it’s a great option for high-traffic areas like kitchen counters.

Granite has numerous applications. Steps, patios, walkways, fireplaces, countertops, veneer walls, floors, and even monuments are just some of the many uses for this versatile material. Its resilience to heat and abrasion makes it a desirable material for exterior and interior applications. In addition, granite’s versatility as a material allows it to be finished in a variety of ways, natural,  high gloss shine or a matte honing.

However, granite has one setback. When compared to other stones, granite’s price tag might be hefty. The price of granite varies with its quality, color, and thickness. Also, because of its weight, it can be a little heavier to transport and set up.

In conclusion, granite is a great building material since it is long-lasting and requires little care. Its distinct visual quality, adaptability, and durability have made it a favorite for both indoor and outdoor settings. 

Quartzite

Quartzite is a kind of natural stone that is highly durable. It is a sturdy, solid material that can resist severe use, making high-traffic areas, such as steps or patios a good option for it. It is a popular option for outdoor BBQ patios, walkways, fireplaces, accent walls (veneer) since it is heat- and scratch-resistant. 

It may be used for a variety of building projects, including walls, floors, and worktops. It can give any interior or exterior space an attractive touch because of its distinctive texture and color. Quartzite may be polished or honed to give it a distinctive look that can be adapted to the particular requirements of the project.

Quartzite is more costly than other kinds of stone, although price might change according to the material’s quality, color, and thickness. Because of quartzite’s strength and durability, it can be more difficult to cut and shape.

Overall, quartzite is a great material for construction projects that call for a strong and beautiful building material. It is a well-liked material for both residential and commercial building projects because of its distinctive texture and color, as well as its toughness and minimal care requirements.

Slate

Due to its strength and adaptability, slate is integrated within many construction projects. It is a particular kind of metamorphic rock that is created from shale under extreme heat and pressure. The procedure produces a material that is extremely resilient and resistant to fire, weathering, and water. Also, it has a naturally slip-resistant surface, making it a great option for usage in wet or heavy foot traffic locations like walkways, patios, steps, or swimming pool decks.

Slate is a flexible material for a number of aesthetic styles since it is offered in a broad range of hues and textures, from black and gray to green and red. Each construction project gains sophistication and depth from its distinctive natural texture and patterns. Due to its strength and durability, slate is frequently used for roofing, flooring, walls, and even pool tables.

Despite all of its advantages, slate is a very delicate substance that is readily scratched and can occasionally flake off in sheets. Yet, it may survive for many years with careful installation and upkeep. As with any stone product, slate is a recyclable natural material that is also environmentally beneficial.

Sandstone (Bluestone)

Sandstone, also referred to as bluestone, is a very common and practical and loved material for construction projects outside. It is composed of sand particles that have been pressed and bonded together over time. From grayish-blue to buff and tan, this natural stone is available in a vast array of hues and textures. Generally, it is available in True Blue (strictly grayish-blue tone) or Full Color (Grayish-blue, buff and tan).  It is attractive and perfect for a variety of outdoor design applications due to the variation in color and texture.

Patios and walkways are two of sandstone’s most popular applications. It is a fantastic option for designing outdoor spaces with an earthy feel due to its clean lines, distinctive texture and natural beauty. With its strength and attractive appearance, sandstone is another common material for free-standing walls, retaining walls, patios, walkways, etc. Due to its ability to maintain its coolness underfoot in direct sunlight, it is also a great option for pool decks.

The adaptability of sandstone also includes interior uses. It is a well-liked option for hearths and fireplace surrounds, as well as for flooring in mudrooms, entryways, and other high-traffic areas. The use of sandstone for bathroom vanities and kitchen countertops is also possible.

Despite the fact that sandstone is a hardy and long-lasting substance, it is important to be aware that it can be vulnerable to stains, particularly if it is not properly sealed. However, with the right upkeep and attention, sandstone can provide a lovely and useful addition to any outdoor or indoor space.

Limestone

A versatile stone with many different building uses is limestone. It appeals to homeowners and builders because of its natural beauty, toughness, and affordability. Limestone is widely used for floors, worktops, fireplace surrounds, and external walls and facades. It is also a great material for outdoor steps since it won’t slip and is simple to mold into the right form.

One of limestone’s distinctive qualities is its capacity for being carved into beautiful patterns and shapes. It is becoming a preferred option for sculptures and ornamental architectural components. Limestone may also be used in landscaping, such as for garden borders and retaining walls.

Due to its inherent beauty and durability, limestone has been utilized in building for many years and is only getting more and more popular. Limestone may live longer and be protected from harm with proper sealing and upkeep.

The Bottom Line: Livingston Farm, Your Partner to Selecting the Best Stone Choice for Durability and Beauty

In conclusion, choosing the proper stone for your building project might be difficult, but it is crucial to its success. Armed with the knowledge in this article, you should be able to make a well informed choice.

At Livingston Farm, we provide a large variety of premium stone products that will help you complete your project with the required appearance and usefulness. Our team is dedicated to offer the best customer service and assisting you in locating the ideal stone solution for your particular project. To find out more about our goods and services, please feel free to reach out!

Contact Us

Ready to get started on your next project? Give us a call at 802.382.0992, complete the contact form below or swing by our location. We’re located at 40 South Route 116, Bristol, VT 05443 – just a short drive from Middlebury and Burlington, VT.

Gregg Butler – Butler Lawn & Landscape

Although the younger Gregg Butler originally planned to work outside and protect natural resources while being a game warden, his hands, hard work and drive led him in a slightly different direction and he grew Butler Lawn and Landscaping by redirecting his energy while working with earth’s natural elements to refine our local landscape.  

Gregg has literally grown his business from the ground up.  He started by mowing lawns while in high school and has slowly expanded as his experience and team multiplied.  An avid baseball player turned landscaper, saw his greatest transformation while at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, VT.  He narrowed his degree to landscape design and has been using that knowledge to advance and mature his business year after year.  

Livingston Farm started at its current location in 2006 while Gregg was still in high school, so they have been able to witness firsthand, his one-person crew grow to its current 6 people, his fleet expand from one to 5 trucks and his wealth of knowledge applied to local patios, walls, driveway regrades, and lawn installations.  Gregg even summered at Livingston Farm while in college to get his hands dirty and to start applying the information he had gained at VTC into customer projects.  Gregg and his growing crew can regularly be seen at job sites using Livingston Farm bulk material such as topsoil, mulch, clean stone, building retaining and decorative walls, and laying beautiful mosaic patios in the summer sun.  

When asked if there was one word he could use to describe his experience with Livingston Farm it would be, Exceptional. They are exceptional for so many reasons: convenience, personable staff, depth of knowledge, variety of stock, resourcefulness, and kindness and we would use the same way to describe him. 

Contact Us

Ready to get started on your next project? Give us a call at 802.382.0992, complete the contact form below or swing by our location. We’re located at 40 South Route 116, Bristol, VT 05443 – just a short drive from Middlebury and Burlington, VT.

What is a She-Shed, a He-Shed or Me-Shed?

Here at Livingston Farm, we don’t focus on the he vs she, we prefer to focus on ME- sheds. You may ask yourself, “How in the world do I design a Me-shed or She-shed?”

For many people, a Me-shed starts with a vision. What do you need the space for? Do you want a place where you can step away from life’s demands and step into your own quiet oasis just steps away from your home. Your Me, she, he-shed can be a place where you are the only one making the mess. Partners, kids, relatives, and pets must know the secret password to be invited in. 🙂 Your Me-shed can honestly be ANYTHING. Just tell Livingston Farm your vision and we can build your dream.

Me-Shed Options are Endless

• It can be a space you are able to dive into that book that has been collecting dust for decades. Curling up with that book has never felt so good.
• It can be a space where you write your next Nancy Drew series you have always dreamed about.  Your kitchen table thanks you.
• Or, it can be a space where you take an uninterrupted nap so you can make it through your next work function.

Whatever you choose for the function of your she, he, me-shed, it will be sooo much less expensive than adding a room on to your house.  And of course, you need to ask yourself the question, do you really want YOUR space attached to the house anyway? You deserve a space for yourself with YOUR things in it.  Do you have a hobby? It can be your crafter’s corner, your gardner’s gateway, or your woodworker’s wonderland. Whatever your dream, we can make it come true!

Looking for inspiration to design your Me-Shed? Check out these 16 Epic Sheds from The Spruce.

Contact Us

Ready to start designing your Me-Shed? Give us a call at 802.382.0992, complete the contact form below or swing by our location. We’re located at 40 South Route 116, Bristol, VT 05443 – just a short drive from Middlebury and Burlington, VT.

Benefits of Purchasing Outdoor Poly Furniture

Now that it’s summer with warmer weather, BBQs and spending more time outside, you’re likely thinking of where to entertain guests and family. From folding chairs, poly picnic tables to Adirondack chairs, there are many choices to choose from to ensure you and your guests are comfortable.

When you bring out the chairs to set up around the BBQ or fire pit, do you find yourself checking to ensure the outdoor furniture won’t fall apart or give splinters? Has your wooden picnic table become more worn over the years due to forgetting to season and harsh weather? If you’ve answered yes to any of the questions just now, it’s time you invest in Poly Outdoor Furniture. Instead of having to take out the furniture each summer, your poly furniture set can remain on the porch or deck without worry of rot or aging.

What is Poly Outdoor Furniture?

“Poly” is abbreviated for high-density polyethylene, a type of plastic known for its strength. Our poly furniture is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastics, making this outdoor furniture very environmentally friendly and extremely durable in any harsh weather.

Benefits of Poly Outdoor Furniture?

Aside from the durability, one great benefit of poly is that it has a UV protector to keep it from fading. Since the poly isn’t stained or painted, you won’t need to sand, touch-up or scrape each year for maintenance, either. All you need is some soap and water to clean to enjoy the vibrant or rustic color you choose to compliment your outdoor areas.

Other benefits of poly outdoor furniture:

• Termite Resistant
• Cost Effective
• Won’t Split, Crack, Warp, Rot or Splinter
• Strength and Durability
• Longevity
• Variety of Styles and Colors

What’s Available in Poly Furniture?

Now that you’re interested in investing in poly furniture, we should let you know about the broad range of high-quality pieces.

1. Adirondack Chairs
2. Benches
3. Tables
4. Swings
5. Gliders and Rockers
6. Dining Sets
7. Accessories and Accessories (cup holders, ottomans)

Where to Purchase Outdoor Furniture in Vermont?

Livingston Farm, of course. Our Bristol and New Haven, VT locations have the largest selection of poly outdoor furniture in the state of Vermont. Create a single color furniture set or get creative with two-toned options. With more than 20 colors available, you’re sure to find the right combination for your home.

Give us a call to order your poly outdoor furniture set or stop by our Livingston Farm office to test out the products before you order. You won’t be disappointed with the purchase. We’re a short 15 minutes from Middlebury, VT and scenic 25 minutes from Burlington, VT. On your way to our office from Burlington, grab a creemee from Cookie Love on Rt 7 in Ferrisburg, VT or after you purchase our chairs, make a dinner reservation at Fire & Ice in Middlebury, VT. The salad bar is the largest in the state.

Contact Us

Ready to get started on your next stone veneer project? Give us a call at 802.382.0992, complete the contact form below or swing by our location. We’re located at 40 South Route 116, Bristol, VT 05443 – just a short drive from Middlebury and Burlington, VT.

Top 5 Veneer Stone Projects for Your Home or Business

At Livingston Farm, we carry a large selection of high-quality natural stone and stone veneer products, perfect for any home or business project. Often times, when you look at the stone in person, unless you’re in the industry or you have a design in mind, it’s hard to imagine what is possible with the stone product sitting in front of you.
Here are some ideas of what you can do with natural veneer stone to spruce up your home exterior or landscape.

How to Enhance Your Home or Landscape with Stone Veneer

1. Statement Fireplace

Nothing is cozier than having a nice fireplace during the cold winter months. So, why not enhance your fireplace by incorporating ledgestone to create a statement fireplace. Our Vermont Thinstone Dove Cove Ledgestone is one of our most popular products, perfect for any New England home.

It’s also critical to not store your wood inside your living area, garage or basement as the wood can attract and contain termites and other pests. You’re probably thinking “what about a small log rack near our fireplace” – that is fine. Be sure to examine the wood for bugs before taking it inside, particularly if it won’t be burned immediately.

2. Outdoor Entertainment Areas:

If you’re a fan of having summer BBQs, entertaining by the pool or like the idea of having an outdoor kitchen, you should consider adding accent walls or natural stone for a warm look. This would be another great opportunity to build an outdoor fireplace.

3. Upgrade Backsplash

For a budget-friendly way to enhance your home, adding a backsplash to any kitchen or bathroom can really spice up the room. Consider adding a section of veneer stone to the wall behind your stove to add more contrast to your current kitchen. Or, create a spa theme in your bathroom by wrapping the wall by the shower or bathtub for extra sizzle.

4. Retaining Wall

Do you have a concrete retaining wall that wins function over the style? One way to give it an instant facelift without having to tear it down is adding stone or brick veneer to bring it to life.
We recommend using the ledgestone or mosaic thin stone but your options are endless.

5. Wrap Columns and Pillars

To enhance your home exterior for neighbors to admire, consider adding stone veneer columns to instantly add curb appeal. Selecting a variety of Vermont Thinstone Ashlar style stone can really bring out the character of your home.

If you’re wondering what type of stone to use, how much you will need or where to order the product, Livingston Farm in Bristol, VT is here to help. Our staff is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to landscape design. And, if you’re not familiar with the Vermont Thinstone product or how to apply veneer stone, you’re in luck! We’re having a Veneer Stone Application Class on March 15th at our Livingston Farm location. Sign-up today to reserve your spot and enjoy a FREE lunch.

Contact Us

Ready to get started on your next stone veneer project? Give us a call at 802.382.0992, complete the contact form below or swing by our location. We’re located at 40 South Route 116, Bristol, VT 05443 – just a short drive from Middlebury and Burlington, VT.

How to Store Firewood for The Winter

Learn techniques for stacking and keeping your wood dry, through harsh winter weather.

It’s important how you store your firewood, not only protecting your home but also the investment you made to heat your house during the cooler months. With these suggestions, you’ll know the proper storage location and care for your firewood.

1. Location is Important

Make sure the firewood is stored at least 30 feet away from your house but close enough to readily access. Remember, you won’t want to hike a mile to get firewood when the wind-chill is below zero. Finally, choose an area that is off the ground, or you can place pallets under the wood to allow for plenty of air circulation to prevent mold and mildew. If you can, a covered firewood shed is ideal.

It’s also critical to not store your wood inside your living area, garage or basement as the wood can attract and contain termites and other pests. You’re probably thinking “what about a small log rack near our fireplace” – that is fine. Be sure to examine the wood for bugs before taking it inside, particularly if it won’t be burned immediately.

2. Drying and Seasoning the Wood:

For most homeowners, if you’re purchasing the wood from someone, chances are the drying and seasoning process is complete. This is more for the homeowners that have chopped the wood and it’s still green and not ready for the fireplace. The drying process can take time, often months, but it all depends on the type of tree and the environment – A sunny area with wind is key.

Here are some ways you’ll know if the wood is ready to use:

• Wood is dark brown, gray or hint of yellow
• Small cracks around the edges near bark
• Knock wood against another piece of wood, it makes a high-pitched noise

If reasonable, stay ahead if you’re chopping the wood yourself to provide plenty of time for drying. And, while you’re between the chopping and stacking stage, cover the wood with a tarp to cover it if rain is in the forecast.

3. Stack the Firewood

Before you begin stacking, make sure the storage area is level, stable and off the ground. If you’re located in an area prone to rain, be sure to stack the firewood with the bark facing the ground. For those of you in Vermont or locations with snowy winters, stack the wood with the bark facing the sky.
Stack the larger pieces of wood near the bottom of the pile, in level rows. Continue to check the pile as you stack to ensure it’s not leaning – this will help avoid disasters, trust us. As you stack, keep air gaps between the rows to help the air flow. Finally, remember not to stack the pile so high that you won’t be able to reach the wood when you need it. We recommend no higher than 4 feet since wood tends to shift as it dries and taller stacks can pose a threat to children and pets.

4. Keep it Covered

This is important. Make sure you cover the wood to protect it from harsh rain, snow or ice throughout the winter. This can be done by storing your wood in an open storage shed that allows wind flow through opposite sides, covering the wood with a tarp or purchasing a firewood rack cover large enough to fit the pile.

Browse Firewood Sheds

If you’re looking for a firewood storing solution, Livingston Farm has a vast variety of firewood sheds and add-on wood storage products that can attach to any outdoor structure, such as a shed or garage. To learn more about our products, feel free to give us a call or submit the form below.

Contact Us

Ready to get started on your next landscaping project or interested in designing your new outdoor shed? We have various specials and current savings happening now at our Bristol, VT location. Feel free to give us a call at 802.382.0992, complete the contact form below or swing by our location. We’re located at 40 South Route 116, Bristol, VT 05443 – just a short drive from Middlebury and Burlington, VT.

5 Home Improvement Projects You Should Do Before Spring

It’s winter time, most of us are inside staying warm, enjoying winter activities and conceivably starting to get ‘cabin-fever’. If you’re not a fan of winter sports, such as snowmobiling (the Livingston’s love snowmobiling), skiing/snowboarding, snowshoeing or ice fishing, you could find yourself spending more time eating casseroles and watching Netflix. After the celebrations pass, winter is a great time to tackle home improvement projects.
Here are some recommended home projects to complete this winter.

1. Declutter Your Closet, Junk Drawers and Garage

This is a big one for most, especially after the holidays. As you’re putting items away from hosting holiday gatherings or finding places for gifts you received, you should start parting with any platters, clothes or other household items you no longer use. Don’t waste time keeping clothes that no longer fit or shirts you haven’t worn for over a year. Preferably, donate them to a charity or Goodwill.

Another pro-tip while decluttering your home or garage, start with one room at a time. Start with a shelf, one drawer or one room and separate the items you haven’t used in over a year. This will be rewarding once it’s done and your home is organized!

2. Paint Walls

Are you tired of the eggshell color in your office? Looking for an inexpensive way to bring life to any room? Well, why not change up a room by adding fresh paint. If you determine you’re not in love with the color you chose, you can always cover it. Experts observe the winter is the perfect time to repaint a room since the air is dry and a brighter color, plus change, will help brighten your mood (see what I did there?).

Or, if you want to try something new, you could even add more dimension to any room by painting the ceiling with a lighter blue or beige to complement the new color.

3. Seal Openings and Air Leaks

The best time to seal the small cracks and tighten up around windows and doors, to prevent cold air coming in, is in the winter. While it’s cold, and you can feel the cold draft coming through, you should use this time to address interior and exterior caulking projects to ensure moisture is sealed out. This will help you conserve energy and money this winter, by decreasing the heating bill after you seal the small cracks and gaps with your new caulking skills!

4. Organize Your Closet

What better way to begin the New Year by staying organized. Depending on your New Year’s resolution, whether it’s the traditional ‘keep organized’ or ‘getting in shape’, this winter project will give you a head start in the right direction. And, customizing a closet can be fun. I mean, I’m sure you already have a Pinterest board imagined for staying organized already – but, why not create the pin this winter.

Just keep in mind, closet storage solutions won’t give you more space in your closet unless you declutter first. Closet organizers, storage solutions, and systems can help make more storage space convenient to you by having a place for each article in your wardrobe. Here’s a great article to get you incited on the best way to undertake this project.

5. Install Backsplash in Kitchen or Bathroom

Having a nice backsplash in your kitchen or bathroom is an excellent way to complement the room. Think of it as a way to accessorize your counter tops, cabinets, and appliances to really make them stand out. If you’re looking to add more color and style to your kitchen, choose a flashy or textured tile to wake up a dull scheme. Or, if you’re kitchen already has enough character and color, consider using a neutral tile to complete the look.

If you’re ready to tackle this project, here is a great post from HGTV to show you how to install your own tile backsplash in your kitchen or bathroom.

Already completed some home projects mentioned above? We want to see! Send us your latest home improvement project you have completed this winter and be entered to win a free Livingston Farm gift!

Contact Us

Ready to get started on your next landscaping project or interested in designing your new outdoor shed? We have various specials and current savings happening now at our Bristol, VT location. Feel free to give us a call at 802.382.0992, complete the contact form below or swing by our location. We’re located at 40 South Route 116, Bristol, VT 05443 – just a short drive from Middlebury and Burlington, VT.

Top Tips to Avoid Mosquito’s This Year

Zika, West Nile, Malaria, Dengue … these illnesses are spread by the flying disease-delivery vehicles known as mosquitoes and they are continuing to expand their territories. Along with diseases, mosquitoes and their little needle mouth parts offer no shortage of itchy welts, meanwhile, their annoying hum can keep the soundest of sleepers swatting at their faces all night.

Do mosquitoes fall in love with you daily? I seem to have won the mosquito lottery – they usually don’t want anything to do with me. I’m not sure if I should be offended, or holler from the rooftops. Others aren’t so lucky, studies show that 20 percent of people are especially irresistible. Researchers from the University of Florida in Vero Beach note that some people are “High attractor types”.

The researchers mention there are two factors of mosquito attraction and they have to do with sight and smell. Ok, this may seem obvious to most but mosquitoes are not so easy to figure out…I know there are so many wives’ tales out there like eating bananas, eating garlic, or putting Marigolds around your house, I’m sorry to break it to you but you are wasting your time. Scientists do however think the following factors likely come into play.

1. Apparel
As mentioned above, mosquitoes actually use their eyes to target victims. According to researchers mosquitoes are highly visual, “especially later in the afternoon, and their first mode of search for humans is through vision.” Wearing dark colors (navy, black) and red make you easier to spot.

2. Blood type
It’s all about the blood for mosquitoes; well that and nectar. Adult mosquitoes survive on nectar for nourishment, but females rely on the protein in our blood for the production of eggs. So it’s little surprise that some blood types may be more desirable than others. Research has found, in fact, that people with Type O blood are found to be twice as attractive to mosquitoes than those with Type A blood; Type B people were in the middle. In addition, 85 percent of people produce a secretion that signals what blood type they are; mosquitoes are drawn to those 85 percent more than the non-secretors, regardless of blood type.

3. Gas
Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide up to 160 feet away; so the more one exhales, the more attractive they become. Larger people exhale more. Also to note, since human beings exhale carbon dioxide through the nose and mouth, mosquitoes are attracted to our heads, which explains the whole “mosquitoes buzzing about the ears all night” misery.

4. Heat and Sweat
Mosquitoes apparently have a nose for other scents besides carbon dioxide; they can sniff down victims through the lactic acid, uric acid, ammonia and other compounds emitted in sweat. They also like people who run warmer; a hot sweaty human must seem quite delicious to them – couch potatoes, rejoice. Strenuous exercise increases the buildup of lactic acid and heat in your body, the Smithsonian points out, while genetic factors “influence the amount of uric acid and other substances naturally emitted by each person, making some people more easily found by mosquitoes than others.”

5. Lively skin
Some research has shown that the types and amount of bacteria on one’s skin can play a role in brining on the mosquitoes as well. Our dermal casing is naturally teeming with microscopic life, and the whole mixture creates a distinct fragrance. In one study, a group of men were divided into those who were highly attractive to mosquitoes and those who were not. The delicious ones had more of certain microbes on their skin than the unattractive ones, but fewer types – a larger community but less diverse. The bacteria factor could also explain why some mosquitoes are drawn to ankles and feet, an especially ripe source of bacteria.

6. Pregnancy
Women with a bun in the oven are probably those least wanting to attract mosquitoes, but alas, some species are evidently more attracted to pregnant women than women who are not. One study in Africa found that pregnant women are twice as attractive to malaria carrying mosquitoes as non-pregnant women; researchers believe it is due to an increase in carbon dioxide – they found that women in late pregnancy exhaled 21 percent greater volume of breath than non-pregnant women. They also discovered that the abdomens of pregnant women were 1.26°F hotter, adding to the mosquitoes-like-warm-bodies component.

7. Beer
Who knew mosquitoes had a taste for beer? The little lushes. In one study researchers found that significantly more mosquitoes landed on study participants after drinking a 12-ounce beer than before. The scientists figured that it was due to increased ethanol content in sweat and skin temperature from consuming the brew, but they were unable to find the exact correlation, just that it happened. So nobody knows why, clearly the crafty pests aren’t targeting inebriated folks as easy marks, but it does seem to be a thing.

Did you know Livingston Farm’s screened in gazebos can build you a truly effective wall of defense from these blood robbing, thieves. If you enjoy the welts, the itching and lathering yourself with DEET, then continue as is, but if you would like some reprieve, come visit Livingston Farm’s fully screened in gazebos.  Hopefully our advice can help you relax and enjoy your summer!