The lazy, endless days of summer are also a breeding ground for everyone’s least favorite bloodsucker: the mosquito. Despite the itchy, unsightly bumps they leave as their calling card, we now have deadly mosquito-borne diseases and viruses to worry about—Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunka—just to name a few. Just like you need to protect your eyes and skin from UV rays, you also need to take precautions against mosquito bites.
Here are a collection of the best survival tips to keep the pesky buggers from biting!
Cover up in light clothing
There are thousands of mosquito species throughout the world. Although most species are active at dusk or dawn, some mosquitoes (like the Asian Tiger Mosquito) strike between the hours of 10am and 3pm. Therefore, if you know you’re going to be in an area near stagnant water wear tight, synthetic clothing with pants tucked into your shoes. You greatly reduce your risk of being bitten just by covering any exposed skin. And good news for those looking to stay cool in the summer heat: mosquitoes are said to be attracted to dark colors, so lighter-colored clothing can help keep you cool and bite-free.
Eliminate stagnant yard water
Mosquitoes’ lives revolve around water sources. Females lay their eggs in the water and all mosquitoes require water in their egg, larval, and pupa stage for maturation. To keep the area surrounding your home from becoming a breeding ground, clear any water that has accumulated from flowerpots, gutters, patio furniture, buckets, trash cans, etc. on a weekly basis. The chemicals used in swimming pools repel mosquitoes, but any tarps used to cover them can accumulate moisture and need to be kept dry. They can breed in less than an inch of water, so be fastidious.
Minimize your secretion release
Enjoying the outdoors is what summer is all about, but there are certain human scents that mosquitoes zero in on: carbon dioxide; Type O blood, lactic acid, body odor and secretions. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do about your blood type! But there are scents you can control. If you’re planning to exercise outside, warm up and cooldown indoors if possible. Your sweat session releases carbon dioxide into the air, sending the “feed now!” signal to mosquitoes. Bathe frequently to reduce bacteria and lactic acid build-up from your skin.
Wear repellent!
DEET is still the standard according to the experts. All new repellents being tested are trying to beat the efficacy of DEET (short-hand for the chemical name “N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide”). It’s the active ingredient in many insect repellents. It doesn’t kill mosquitoes—they can still land on your skin—but prevents them from biting/sucking the skin. If you’re planning to go camping or anywhere near a swamp, DEET at a 25 percent concentration reapplied every four hours is recommended.
Picaridin—derived from pepper plants—is one of the most popular repellents in the world, particularly in Europe and Australia. Products containing the active ingredient are available globally and recommended as a safe and effective repellent by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. It has a light, non-greasy texture perfect to spray on your body for backyard parties or picnics at a 15 to 20 percent concentration.
For a more natural product, oil of lemon eucalyptus—a natural oil extracted from the leaves and twigs of the lemon-scented gum eucalyptus plant—is sold as a synthesized version by repellent manufacturers. Athletes who prefer to exercise outside during peak mosquito activity (dusk and dawn) can use this repellent at a concentration of 30 to 40 percent.
Despite the best of prevention techniques, mosquito bites do happen. If you do get one, don’t scratch, it will just make it itch more. Instead, try a cold compress or over-the-counter cortisone cream to numb the bump. As always, if you are concerned about a bite you find on your body, it’s best to consult your doctor.