How to Avoid Mosquito Bites

We can't prevent them; we can't stop them; we can, however, avoid or limit the mosquito bites. Remedies and prevention techniques range from eating garlic to rubbing plant leaves on your clothes to more conventional techniques such as commercial repellant. Since some people are more affected than others and various products work differently on individuals, I have included a variety of preventive techniques.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Clean up around your yard. Trim bushes, keep vines and ivy to a minimum, clean gutters, get rid of standing water, and clean out dead leaves. Check screens for holes and replace if necessary. Try using a lawn maintenance service if you lack the time.
2. Pest control is next. Spray the outside. For adult mosquitoes, spray with a mild pyrethroid spray. The larva can be treated with granular products containing Methroprene. Home remedies include garlic powder and water that can be sprayed throughout the yard. Plant Citronella, lavender, basil, catnip, pennyroyal, tansy, and marigolds in pots and place outside. Check greenhouses and landscape services for some of these plants.
3. Wear light colored clothing. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. And of course, dress to protect your skin. There are netted clothing items on the market if you are in an infested area and will be out for long periods of time. Spray clothes with repellent containing permethrin or DEET. Do not use products with permethrin directly on skin. The hours from dusk to dawn are the peak biting times.
4. There are many products for the skin. Some people say skin care products such as Avon's Skin so Soft works. It didn't for me. Others hang Bounce sheets out of their pockets. This I haven't tried, but perhaps the scent keeps bugs away. Some mix essential oils with rubbing alcohol or witch hazel and spray on their body. Possible oils are citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, catnip, and pennyroyal. Who knows, maybe you can invent a new perfume. Some people rub garlic on their pulse points. OR try eating garlic everyday. The smell that comes from your pores will deter mosquitoes.
5. At present, DEET is probably our best bet. Some people dislike the odor and some worry about its safety for children and pregnant women. Researchers are working on new repellants which may work longer than DEET for keeping the mosquitoes away.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear light colored clothes.
• Avoid dusk to dawn.
• Make sure you cover up including your head.
• Avoid perfume and makeup that has a scent.
• The American Mosquito Control Association can provide additional information as well as The National Pesticide Information Center which has a toll free number: 1-800-858-7378.
• DEET (N,N-diethy-meta-toluamide) is considered safe but there has been reports of seizures among children. Pregnant women may want to avoid it.
• Products work differently on everyone. Some people are natural mosquito magnets. Avon's Skin so Soft works for many, but not me. Find what works best for you.