Mosquitoes can wreck havoc with outdoor summer plans.
Mosquitoes may be very small insects, but they are known to transfer some serious blood-borne illnesses, such as encephalitis, malaria, yellow fever and the West Nile virus. Aside from transmitting disease, mosquitoes are downright annoying. These pesky insects have ruined many people's outdoor plans. But there are ways to outsmart them and reduce your chances of getting bit.
Clothing
Wear light-colored clothing. Brighter and darker colors are more attractive to mosquitoes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Weather permitting, dress in long sleeves, pants and socks to keep mosquitoes away from your skin, and wear a full-brimmed hat to shield your head and neck.
Insect Repellent
Spray all of your exposed skin to repel mosquitoes
Spray your exposed skin with an EPA-registered bug repellent. The most effective repellents contain DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon. Even if you are only going to be outside for a short while, use insect repellents; it doesn't take mosquitoes long to find you.
Time of Day
Mosquitoes like sunsets, too
Avoid being outside from sunset to sunrise; those are peak mosquito biting hours. If you must be outdoors, take extra precautions to cover your body and use insect repellent.
Home Remedies
Some essentials oils repel mosquitoes.
Try some natural mosquito prevention remedies, if all else fails. Apply vanilla extract to your pulse points, rub fabric softener sheets on your skin, or mix an essential oil with witch hazel or distilled water and spritz it on your body. Essential oils that are said to ward off mosquitoes include pennyroyal, tansy, thyme, cedar, catnip, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass.
Plants
Mosquitoes don't like certain herbs and flowers.
Plant some mosquito-averting greens either in your yard or in container pots. Place them around your deck or patio. Herbs and flowers that are said to do the trick include citronella, lavender, basil, catnip, pennyroyal, tansy and marigolds.
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