Mosquitoes are the worst, and they’re only getting worse. They carry diseases like malaria and West Nile virus, so preventing mosquito bites is more important than ever.
You might have heard that using repellent can help you avoid being bitten by mosquitos but what if you don’t want to use DEET-based products?
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Mosquitoes are more likely to bite during dawn and dusk. |
| Wearing long sleeves and pants, using mosquito repellent and mosquito-proofing your home can help prevent mosquito bites. |
| Natural remedies such as essential oils and citronella candles can work as effective mosquito repellents. |
| Mosquitoes can transmit a range of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. |
| It is essential to maintain personal and home hygiene to avoid attracting mosquitoes. |
In this article, we discuss some natural ways to prevent mosquito bites without having to spray yourself with chemicals.
Use Mosquito Nets
Mosquito nets are a great way to protect yourself from mosquito bites, whether you’re going camping or just lounging outside.
They can be hung over your bed or draped around the room, protecting against mosquitoes and other pests. When used outdoors, mosquito nets can also be helpful for keeping away other insects like mozzies, flies and moths.
| Benefits |
|---|
| Reduces mosquito bites |
| Limits the spread of mosquito-borne diseases |
| Provides a physical barrier to insects |
| Lightweight and easy to use |
| Can be used indoors or outdoors |
| Affordable and cost-effective |
The best part? Mosquito nets come in all shapes and sizes! They’re available as bedding or pregnancy pillows; they offer protection against crawling insects (like fleas) when placed under floorboards; and most importantly they’re easy enough to use on the go: simply hang them up around yourself while dining outside during those summer BBQs!
Mosquito infestation can be a big problem, but it doesn’t have to be. With our easy-to-follow guide on getting rid of mosquitoes, you can keep your surroundings mosquito-free and enjoy the summer season to the fullest.
Mosquitoes Love Standing Water, So Drain It
Your first line of defense against mosquitoes is to drain standing water. Mosquito larvae can survive in as little as a teaspoon of water, so even a small puddle left on the ground after a rainstorm can be enough for them to breed.
To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your home:
Check outdoor buckets and containers for any standing water that may have collected since the last time you emptied them – if it’s more than a teaspoon or so, it’s probably time to dump it out!
If you see a mosquito laying eggs in your yard (she’ll look like an engorged mosquito), make sure that she doesn’t find any lakes or ponds near where she lives so she won’t be able to lay more eggs there later on.
In your basement or garage, check any buckets that hold rainwater before putting them back outside – they might become breeding grounds if they’re not drained soon enough.
Check Your Screens
You should check your screens for tears, holes and other damage. If you find any, have them repaired right away.
If you don’t have a screen on your door or window, consider installing one of these products:
- an insect screen that fits into an existing door or window frame (many screen products come with easy-to-follow instructions)
- a full-frame insect screen that completely encloses the opening in question (which will help keep crawling bugs out)
Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your outdoor fun! Learn some proven ways of keeping mosquitoes away with our comprehensive guide and enjoy your time outside without worrying about mosquito bites.
Use Fans
A fan is a great way to keep mosquitoes at bay. Mosquitoes do not like wind, so if you are in an area where there are not many breezes or fans on, the mosquitoes will easily be able to find you and bite.
Make sure that fans are on in any area where you plan on being for long periods of time—this includes patios, porches and even indoor spaces where mosquitoes can enter through open windows or doors.
Fans work by blowing air around your body so that it hits the skin from different angles mosquitoes rely on vision for finding prey so this will confuse them into thinking there is nothing to eat nearby.
You should also use a fan when sitting outside because the movement of air keeps mosquitoes away from your skin; keeping an oscillating pedestal fan nearby will help deter these bloodsuckers as well!
Wear Long Sleeves and Pants
For the most effective way to avoid mosquito bites, wear long sleeves and pants. This will keep you cool, allow you to stay outside for longer periods of time, and protect your skin from other bugs as well as sunburn.
| Benefits |
|---|
| Reduces mosquito bites on exposed skin |
| Provides a physical barrier to insects |
| Protects skin from sun damage |
| Covers skin from exposure to chemicals |
| Can be fashionable and stylish |
| Provides warmth in cool weather |
Wear Light Coloured Clothes
Wearing light coloured clothes is a simple way to deter mosquitoes from biting. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours, so wearing white, yellow or light blue can help you avoid mosquito bites.
Dark colours like black and navy attract mosquitoes more than lighter colours. You should avoid wearing these types of clothing when you are outdoors in the summer months. Brightly coloured clothing also attracts mosquitoes, so try not to wear bright reds or yellows if you want to avoid mosquito bites this summer season!
Mosquito repellents can be effective in keeping mosquitoes at bay, but they are not the only solution. Our easy and effective guide on repelling mosquitoes will help you stay mosquito-free using non-repellent methods
Choose Scented Candles With Caution
Candles are a great tool for creating a relaxing atmosphere, but if you’re planning to sleep with them, be careful.
Because of their strong scent, the oils in candles can cause respiratory problems and nausea if someone is exposed to them for long periods of time. If someone is allergic to the allergen in question for example, if they have allergies or asthma the effects can be even worse.
Candles should also never be used around pets or children because they can both get sick from the heat emitted by burning candles. Additionally, keep all flammable objects away from your candle so as not to accidentally catch anything on fire!
Keep Moving. Mosquitoes Don’t Like Wind
The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to stay in motion, as mosquitoes don’t like wind. Keep your arms and legs moving, especially when you’re outdoors.
Wind can help keep mosquitoes away. Mosquitoes don’t like the smell of wind either, so if you’re standing still and a gust blows past you may feel a few pellets fly into your nose (and not in a pleasant way).
If it’s too cold outside for an all-out jog or hike, try walking briskly with short steps instead—you’ll still be moving at a good pace, but without having to break into full speed all over again when it’s time for another lap around the block.
You could also try cycling or rollerblading instead of running; these activities move faster than walking does without requiring quite as much effort from your muscles or lungs!
Another option would be attaching small electric fans directly onto clothing worn during outdoor activities (or even indoors if there aren’t any bugs flying around).
This will provide some extra protection against bites by making sure that no insects get close enough for their proboscis’ barbs or saliva glands’ enzymes make contact with human flesh before being blown away by strong winds generated by both machines themselves!
Preventing mosquito bites is not just about using repellents. Check out our guide on preventing mosquitoes and learn some other effective ways of keeping mosquitoes away, so you can enjoy your summer days without worrying about mosquito bites.
Keep Bugs Away From Your BBQ With Dry Ice
If you’re having a BBQ, one way to keep bugs away is with dry ice. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide and can be purchased at many grocery stores (as well as gas stations), but it’s best to purchase it from a specialty store that sells only dry ice products. The best places to buy dry ice are:
Wear Perfume or Cologne Sparingly
It’s a shame to have to give up your favorite perfume or cologne, but if you are looking for the most natural way to avoid mosquito bites, this is it. You can still wear perfume or cologne, but use it sparingly.
Avoid wearing perfumes or colognes that contain high amounts of alcohol (this is often listed on the back of the bottle). Strong perfumes or colognes can also make you more prone to bites because mosquitoes are attracted by strong smells and will seek out those who smell like them.
If you are allergic to these products and must wear them anyway, try using them only after sundown when mosquitoes are active and won’t be around as much anyway!
| Benefits |
|---|
| Reduces the attraction of mosquitoes |
| Minimizes the risk of a mosquito bite |
| Prevents skin irritation |
| Limits the inhalation of toxic chemicals |
| Decreases the likelihood of an allergic reaction |
| Preserves long-lasting scent throughout the day |
Make Sure You Stay Hydrated!
One of the main reasons that mosquitoes bite is the blood they need to mate and reproduce. If you’re not a mosquito, there’s no way to stop them from biting you, but there are some things that may help deter them from finding your ankles and arms so appealing. One of those is to stay hydrated!
Mosquitoes need water to survive, which means that drinking lots of water will help keep them away by making it harder for them to find a source for their own hydration needs.
You can also try eating salty foods (like potato chips) or sugary ones (so many cookies!) if you don’t like drinking water all day long; these foods will make your sweat more attractive because they’ll make your body more appetizing for the little vampires who want nothing more than another meal before bedtime!
If you want to keep mosquitoes away but don’t want to use chemicals, there are natural ways to do so. Our guide on keeping mosquitoes away naturally covers everything you need to know about natural mosquito repellents, so you can enjoy your time outside without the use of chemicals
Try Planting Some Basil Nearby
Planting some basil near your home can be an effective way to deter mosquitoes. The smell of basil is a natural mosquito repellent, so having a few plants around will naturally discourage these pests from hanging out near your house.
Basil’s aroma also has some pretty great benefits for humans: it’s been shown to help fight cancer, regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels, relieve stress and anxiety, and even improve sleep quality.
Basil is also packed with Vitamin K a nutrient that helps fight against Alzheimer’s disease—and iron (which aids in red blood cell production).
Folate is another key nutrient found in basil; folate plays an important role in brain development during pregnancy and infancy as well as maintaining optimal cognitive function throughout life!
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you learn more about how to prevent mosquito bites without using any repellent. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know in the comments section below. Good luck!
Further Reading
If you’re looking for more information on preventing mosquito bites, check out these helpful resources:
CDC’s guide to preventing mosquito bites – Provides comprehensive information on preventing mosquito bites, including recommendations for mosquito repellents and mosquito-proofing your home.
Prevention’s Stop Mosquito Bites Guide – Shares top tips to protect yourself from mosquito bites, including natural remedies and ways to avoid attracting mosquitoes.
One Medical’s 7 Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites – Provides seven easy and helpful tips for avoiding mosquito bites and reducing your risk of mosquito-borne illnesses.
FAQs
What are some of the diseases mosquitoes can transmit?
Mosquitoes can transmit a range of diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, yellow fever, and West Nile virus.
How can I protect myself from mosquito bites while outdoors?
Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, use mosquito repellent, and avoid spending time outside during peak mosquito activity times, such as at dawn and dusk.
What are some natural remedies that can repel mosquitoes?
Natural remedies that can repel mosquitoes include essential oils such as lavender, lemon eucalyptus, and peppermint, as well as citronella candles and garlic.
What should I do if I get a mosquito bite?
Clean the bite area with soap and water, apply an anti-itch cream or lotion, and avoid scratching the bite, which can cause an infection.
How do I mosquito-proof my home?
Make sure all screens on doors and windows are intact, remove standing water from around your home, use mosquito nets on your bed, and repair any holes or cracks in your home’s foundation.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
