How to Avoid Mosquito Bites

For the most part, mosquito bites are just a nuisance - they can, however, deliver viruses like malaria and encephalitis. The trick is to avoid mosquito bites altogether, a task made easy by reading the following steps and tips.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Athletic Socks
• Long Pants
• Long-sleeved Shirts
• Sporty Hats
• Mosquito Netting
• Permethrin Products
• Insect Repellents
• Avon Skin-So-Soft®

1. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck the pant legs into your socks and tuck all shirts in completely.

2. Cover up with a hat, preferably with ear flaps.

3. Consider treating your clothing with a product containing Permethrin, especially if you will be in a mosquito-infested area for a long period of time. The chemical will last on treated clothes for up to five washings. Do not spray Permethrin on your skin.

4. Generously spray the area around your ankles, and other exposed skin, with a repellent containing 30 percent DEET (diethyltoluamide). Lotions and gels are also available.

5. Repeat applications as indicated on bottle or tube.

6. Wash all skin exposed to repellent with warm soapy water after exiting a mosquito-ridden area.

Tips & Warnings

• Net clothing is available at outfitter stores.
• Mosquito concentration is heaviest at dusk and through the night.
• Avoid repeated use of repellent containing DEET on children and use a concentration of less than 10 percent of the chemical.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Contact a physician for more details.

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[ksgildy]

on 7/18/2009 WHEN I GET A MOSQUITO BITE ALL I DO IS PUT MY HOT CUP OF COFFEE ON THE BITE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THE ITCH IS TOTALLY GONE. I HEAR THAT THE VENOM REACTS WITH HEAT. YOU CAN ALSO GET SOME SORT OF HEAT GUN THAT HEATS THE BITE UP AND TAKES THE ITCH AWAY.

[chrisanimelo444]

on 7/11/2009 Ecm1980 said, "Aren't there also some types of foods that help repel them?" Supposedly, eating garlic helps repel mosquitoes, though some people claim that is false while others believe it works. You can try it if you want.

You should also try staying in during mosquito hours and draining out any sitting buckets of water mosquitoes use for spawning. For more information, visit http://www.saladsticks.com/2009/07/keep-mosquitoes-from-biting.html .

[damzel]

on 6/23/2009 The mouth wash trick works to a point but you have to spray frequently. You can buy garlic pills at most Walmart stores in the vitamin isle, my hubby takes these all summer and he never gets bit while he is out night fishing and we live in WI where they are the national bird...lol You can consume a lot of garlic also but to much and you will smell like it when you sweat.

[daneed]

on 6/9/2009 i was told that using pure mouth wash like listerine works just spray with a pump bottle on out side furniture and floor

[chava812]

on 5/5/2009 I've found Natrapel to be a good-smelling spray that works. Can't remember if it has DEET or not, but anyone using mosquito sprays should do well to read up on DEET. Also not to try mosquito traps or such as they ATTRACT more mosquitoes to the area. Empty any containers (kiddie pools, e.g.,) of standing water.