1. Apply Insect Repellent – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using an insect repellent on exposed areas of skin to help avoid mosquito bites. While products with DEET can be effective, studies have showed prolonged use can have adverse affects on humans. For a more natural alternative, try oil of lemon eucalyptus or peppermint oil.
2. Cover Up – Wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants can help you avoid mosquito bites by reducing the areas where mosquitoes can bite. Be mindful of areas where your clothing might cling to your body, like your shoulders. Mosquitoes can bite through thin fabric. Give these areas a spray of repellent.
3. Remove Standing Water – Mosquitoes need water to breed. Take a walk around your home and locate areas where there might be standing water.
- Drill holes in the bottom, not the sides, of things like planters and garbage containers. Holes in the side will allow just enough water to accumulate in the bottom for mosquitoes to breed.
- Keep gutters and downspouts free of debris. Plus, make sure your downspouts drain adequately, without creating puddles.
- Your swimming pool should be clean and chlorinated, even when not in use.
- Be mindful of items like birdbaths, non-chlorinated wading pools and flowerpot saucers. The water in items like these should be emptied or changed every two days.
4. Choose Lighting Wisely – Bright lights tend to attract mosquitoes. Consider replacing outdoor lights with yellow bulbs, which tend to be less attractive to mosquitoes. For evening activity ambience, and a good mosquito repellant, consider using tiki torches or lanterns filled with citronella oil.
5. Plant Helpful Greenery – There are certain plants with unique smells that mosquitoes find offensive, including rosemary, citronella, beautyberry (callicarpa) and catnip (nepeta cataria). Adding these plants around your home can help ward off the pesky insects.
6. Avoid Peak Times – Mosquitoes tend to be most active around dawn and dusk. Avoid these times outdoors and you’ll decrease your chances of being a buffet for mosquitoes.
Don’t Bother With These:
Bug Zapers – While the zapping noise might make you think the devices are helping you avoid mosquito bites, truth be told they are really only killing about 1% of mosquitoes.
Pelargonium Citrosum (“citrosa geranium) – This perennial shrub with fragrant leaves similar to citronella has been marketed as a “mosquito plant”. Unlike citronella, which has been proven to repel mosquitoes, citrosa is ineffective in warding off mosquitoes. In fact, researchers often found mosquitoes resting on the plant’s leaves.
Bats – It’s true that bats eat mosquitoes. However, the insects only make up a small portion of a bat’s diet.
