For many of us, summer is the most exciting time of the year. However, it is also the time when mosquitos are most active in many parts of the world. This can be both a major inconvenience and a potential health hazard if you are visiting or live in an area afflicted by Malaria or other illnesses linked to mosquitos. However, there are fortunately several things you can do to help prevent mosquito bites – here are 10 tips. 

Keep Mosquitos Out of Your Home Where Possible

One of the best things you can do to protect yourself from being bitten by a mosquito is to prevent them from entering your home. In particular, people find they are commonly bitten while they are asleep, so it may be worth investing in mosquito netting for your sleeping area if you are in a place with a high mosquito population. Similarly, netting around your windows can prevent them from entering in the first place. 

Get Rid of Standing Water

Mosquitos breed in standing water, so to avoid a significant population of them on your property it is important to get rid of any that you find. Mosquitos can breed within 14 days, so this can increase your risk of being bitten unnecessarily unless you are diligent. 

Invest in Mosquito Repellent

Mosquito repellent should be a given for visiting any mosquito-heavy area. An often-recommended chemical to use for mosquito repellent is DEET, so look out for this when purchasing product. The chemical has been studied for several decades now and is known to have virtually no health risks. Picaridin is also a common choice, especially outside of the United States.

Avoid High-Activity Times of Day

For areas where mosquitos can be a serious pest during certain times of the year, it is advisable to avoid being outside for extended periods of time during the times of day they are most active. If you are wondering what time of day are mosquitos least active, dawn and dusk are typically considered the time when you will see the most of them. 

Experiment with Natural Repellents

If your skin is sensitive to chemical repellent products or you just choose not to use them, there are several natural products available that have been shown to provide protection against mosquito bites. In particular, oil of lemon eucalyptus is believed to have repellent properties similar to chemical products. This should not, however, be confused with an essential oil of a similar name, which does not provide protection. 

Choose Clothes that Offer Protection Against Mosquitos

Research suggests that darker colors are more likely to attract insects, including mosquitos, than lighter colors. With this in mind, it is worth considering avoiding darker colors when trying to avoid being bitten. Similarly, loose-fitting, and thicker fabrics, while potentially uncomfortable in the summer, are harder for mosquitos to penetrate and therefore preferable to tight-fitting, thin materials. 

Wind Repels Mosquitos

Even a small wind can nearly entirely repel mosquitos, as they typically cannot fly in winds even as low as 1 kilometer/hour. To that end, investing in a large-scale garden fan can prevent mosquitos from being an issue on your property. Visiting windier areas may also help you avoid the presence of mosquitos if you live in an area where they can be particularly troublesome. 

Stay Cool

Research has shown that mosquitos are attracted to pheromones produced by humans when they sweat. As a result, avoiding getting overly sweaty can help prevent you from being bothered by mosquitos. Try to stay cool and shower immediately after any strenuous physical exercise. Similarly, other strong-smelling substances such as perfume can be attractive to mosquitos, if overapplied. 

For High-Mosquito Areas, Consider Spraying

If you live in an area that is so full of mosquitos it can be a major inconvenience, there are professional services available to help. Specifically, you may want to invest in mosquito spraying, which removes all mosquitos from your property and helps prevent them from returning. On a smaller scale, mosquito traps might also help manage the mosquito population on your property.

Invest in Bite Cream, Just in Case

While it is important to be diligent in preventing yourself from being bitten by mosquitos, there are not necessarily any guarantees you will be able to entirely avoid mosquito bites. You may therefore also want to carry mosquito bite cream as an added layer of protection. In addition, if you are bitten in an area affected by a mosquito-borne illness, you may need to seek medical attention.