Most products that are considered "natural" are not approved as insect repellents, and most devices and apps do not work as well as insect repellents. You can effectively reduce the number of mosquitoes by cleaning the garden and eliminating the accumulated water. It will always start by cleaning your own surroundings.
Some people are more prone to mosquito bites than others. Unfortunately, your genetics significance is the main determinant why you are most likely to be bitten by insects -- and that is something that we have no control of. Mosquitoes are attracted to various chemicals such as lactic acid. In this blog, we will teach you ways to prevent mosquito bites.
1. Get rid of that standing water
Remove water from gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic sheets, toys, or other containers where mosquitoes can grow. Empty and replace birdbaths, fountains, water pools, tubs, and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats. If you have a pond, add mosquito-eating fish such as guppy, minnow, and mosquitofish, add waterfalls and fountains to keep the water running, or treat it with a natural bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis. Bacteria kill mosquito larvae but are harmless to humans, plants, and pets.
2. Invest in mosquito repellents
For insect repellents designed for use on the skin, Conlon recommends using EPA-registered sprays, lotions, or liquid repellents containing 2530 μET or 15% or more picaridin. Check the label to confirm the EPA approval of the product. This guarantees full protection for up to 2 hours. If you're planning for a day of hiking or fishing, use an insect repellent containing permethrin on clothing and gear ahead of time. (Never apply permethrin directly on skin).
3. Check your neighborhood
This is one of the rare times when curiosity actually benefits everyone. Depending on the county's resources, the health department may be able to treat accumulated water in drains, regulating ponds, pools of abandoned or seized homes for free with pesticides.
4. Wear light-colored clothing
The color of the clothes also has an effect. Mosquitoes are attracted to heat, and dark colors retain more heat than light colors. Light-colored clothing tends to reflect heat. This means that mosquitoes are less likely to notice you in white or pale yellow clothing than in black, brown, or dark blue.
5. Wear woven clothing
Avoid wearing spandex or other light, flimsy materials that can be bitten by mosquitoes. Instead, choose a tightly woven material such as cotton, denim, nylon, or a material like a windbreaker that is resistant to insects. UV-protected clothing is usually well woven and often protects against insect bites.
6. Be strategic with your gardening choices
Invest on plants that are natural insect repellent such as basil, lavender, and catnip. Mosquitoes cannot stand these plants. You may also starting planting lemons and balm if you want to use natural repellent to your skin.
Protection is important, but prevention is definitely more important. You can minimize the need for protection by getting rid of mosquitoes in the first place and taking steps to prevent mosquitoes from invading your property.