How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Avoid Donating Blood to Hungry Bugs

By Amy Brantley, published Jun 01, 2007
Published Content: 1,575  Total Views: 2,010,703  Favorited By: 308 CPs
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Summer brings us beautiful weather, vacations, and mosquitoes. Mosquito bites are bad enough for the average person, but if you're like me, you can walk outside and have 5 mosquito bites in just a few minutes. Throughout the years, I've spent a lot of time researching different ways to prevent mosquito bites. The following tips seem to prevent mosquito bites more than any other tips I have tried.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites: Eat Garlic

Mosquitoes hate the smell of garlic. When you eat tons of garlic you will be able to prevent mosquito bites, but be warned that you will also smell like garlic. When you consume large quantities of garlic the smell will come out of your pores when you sweat. This may prevent mosquito bites, but be warned that it may also prevent cuddling by the campfire as well.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites: Choose the Proper Clothing

A great way to prevent mosquito bites is to wear pants and long-sleeved shirts. This does work, but it isn't always practical. If you find yourself in a situation where wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants would be uncomfortable, there are other tips you can follow. For example, choose natural colors, like khaki. But, avoid bright colors. Mosquitoes will be attracted to these colors.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites: Avoid Going Out at Night

Dusk and nighttime hours are peak hours for mosquito bites. If you want to prevent mosquito bites, you must avoid going out during these hours. If you have a cookout planned, remember to use candles and lanterns. You can also use repellent, but be sure to only spray it on your clothing.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites: Avoid Pleasant Fragrances

Just like other pests, mosquitoes are attracted by pleasant fragrances. If you are planning to be out during peak hours, you will need to avoid perfumes or colognes and use shampoos and soaps that are fragrance free. This will help to prevent mosquito bites. They will be much more interested in the people that smell tasty to them.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites: Avoid the Water

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Prevent mosquitoes from feasting on your blood.

Credit: USDA

Copyright: USDA

Takeaways
  • Eat garlic.
  • Avoid peak hours.
  • Watch where you step.
Did You Know?
Mosquitoes lay eggs in still pools of water.
Resources
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 15 of 20
Next >>
 
thank you so much for the tips! i could really use them since i adore summer and love going outside! thank you SO much!!! U ROCK!!! XD¢¾

Posted on 07/16/2008 at 2:07:22 PM

 
I am of Romany(ethnic Gypsy) Descent and our healers have used tried and true natural medicine for centuries. Garlic absolutely does to work, as do bananas, but they must be ripe. bugs like bananas, but they don't like what bananas emit through your skin when you eat them. Rosemary, basil, catnip, lemon balm and rose geraniums are a few of the plants you can grow that have insect-repelling qualities. Lemon balm and catnip are especially good for warding off mosquitoes. I keep some in my room even they smell good and I never get bitten. Essential oils in catnip are about 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET. Simply crush the leaves of any of these plants to release their scents and rub them on your exposed skin. Or you could mix 2 teaspoons of any of the following essential oils: basil, cedarwood, citronella, juniper, lemon, myrrh, pine, rose geranium or rosemary, 1 cup 190-proof grain alcohol. Mix them really good and rub it on your skin. Though do a small test spo

Posted on 03/10/2008 at 10:03:04 PM

 
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/24/health/24real.html?ex=1342929600&en=267a2edb5d3c3e7c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=400&width=780

Posted on 09/07/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
Read this. The claim that garlic stop mosquitoes is totally unfounded.

Posted on 09/07/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
Great tips, I will be trying some of these for me and my kids

Posted on 06/09/2007 at 8:06:00 AM

 
I love bananas and guess what, so do mosquitos. So make breakfast banana time only.

Posted on 06/07/2007 at 3:06:00 PM

 
Thanks for the great tips, Amy! I'll definitely be trying these out.

Posted on 06/06/2007 at 8:06:00 PM

 
Hi Amy. I was born and raised in Ohio where the mosquitos would eat you alive after dusk. Here in Southern Calif. we don't have a lot of them and I rarely get bit. Thanks for the info.

Posted on 06/05/2007 at 11:06:00 PM

 
the off spray thats deet free by the way works great as well as biglights and cintrella candles work great too

Posted on 06/05/2007 at 9:06:00 PM

 
Thanks for the tips.

Posted on 06/04/2007 at 6:06:00 PM

 
good article. I have never heard of only spraying your clothes with repellant... I have been spraying my skin. I hope I don't die or something....

Posted on 06/04/2007 at 3:06:00 PM

 
Nice article, thanks for the tips!

Posted on 06/03/2007 at 5:06:00 PM

 
I like garlic so sounds good to me. I have to stay away from these bugs because I'm allergic big time.

Posted on 06/03/2007 at 2:06:00 PM

 
Oh, I love hearing the zap and sizzle of the bug zapper. It screams Summer! Hehe. I usually wear cinannmon (Spelling?) perfume oil in the summer. They hate the smell. Great article. Bye

Posted on 06/02/2007 at 8:06:00 PM

 
Thanks for the tips. Those biting bugs love to feast on my blood. I have heard eating bananas help to prevent bites. Better go grab a banana since a skeeter just bit my knee earlier today.

Posted on 06/02/2007 at 7:06:00 PM

Type in Your Comments Below - (1000 characters left)
Your name:

Submit your own content on this or any topic. Get started »
Showing Comments 1 - 15 of 20
Next >>
Most Commented On