Mosquito Bites: how to prevent them

Have you been attacked by swarms of mosquitoes, while enjoying a magic sunset by a lake? If the answer is yes, then join the club...

I’ve found a big list of recommendations and home remedies for mosquito repellent suggestions. A few things to note first:

• You pretty much have to stop breathing to not attract the attention of a mosquito, a big attractor for them is the carbon dioxide from your breathing.
• It also seems mosquitoes are attracted by scents like perfumes, sweat, body odour as well as body heat. Unless you stop using shampoos, soaps, deodorants and detergents–it’s hard to be scent free.
• From what I understand, DEET has proven to be the most effective mosquito repellent. DEET is pretty crazy stuff though, so if you’d like to try less harsh solutions, there are plenty of tips below for you to give a shot.

Something to keep in mind: Since some people seem to be a mosquito magnet while others around them don’t get a single bite, I have the suspicion that there could be a personal body chemistry factor involved. And that could explain why a remedy that works for one person, may not work for another.

I suspect that’s why some people swear by the Bounce sheet method, or the Avon Skin So Soft solution, while others have a different experience. Bounce nor the Avon SSS did a thing for me btw, but I did include them in the list below. I know a few people who SWEAR by them.

Basics for Mosquito Bite Prevention

• Wear light coloured clothing, mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothes
• Keep your body covered as much as possible (including wearing a hat), although mosquitoes can find their way through the fabric–it does cut down on bites

Mosquito Bite Prevention Home Remedies & Tips

• Vanilla Extract: A few different recommendations for this one, each contradicting the other. Some say to dab Vanilla Extract on your pulse points, others say to rub it all over your skin & dab your clothes. Some say the cheap stuff is what you have to use, others say the real, pure Vanilla is the only thing that will work. Some say to apply it full strength, others say you can dilute it with water and spray it on. Play around with Vanilla to see what gives you best results–there are plenty of believers for this one as a mosquito deterrent so I think there’s something to it.
• Garlic: This isn’t a favourite thing to do day-to-day, but if you’re going camping or hiking through heavily mosquito infested areas, try a garlic powder and water paste. Apply to pulse points, behind knees, on shoes and ankles and a dab or two on your cheeks or somewhere on your face and neck. Remember–keep out of eyes. And maybe stay out of public places too ;) .
• Essential Oils: Mix choice of essential oils with rubbing alcohol, or witch hazel, or distilled water and spritz on body or directly on cloth to rub on body (shake before each use). Or add a few drops in baby oil or olive oil then rub on skin. You can also apply drops along a strip of fabric (cotton) and tie around wrist. Make sure to avoid mouth and eye areas when using essential oils.
• Citronella oil
• Lavender oil
• Catnip oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Pennyroyal oil (seems to be strongly recommended)
• Tansy oil (seems to be strongly recommended)
• Basil oil
• Thyme oil
• Cedar oil
• Tea Tree oil
• Peppermint oil
• Lemon-grass oil

Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Break off leaves and crush them roughly, rub them all over your clothes and skin. Toss the bruised leaves around the perimeter of your deck or patio. Also plant these in pots and arrange them around the patio. You could also infuse these in water and then use that as a spray.

• Citronella
• Lavender
• Basil
• Catnip
• Pennyroyal
• Tansy
• Marigolds

Commercial Products That Repel Mosquitoes

• Mygga (available at the Pharmacy)
• Djungelolja (available at the Pharmacy and Super Markets)
• Listerine (mixed 50/50 with household vinegar then sprayed all over body)
• Vicks VapoRub
• You can purchase citronella torches to stand in the ground or set on table tops

Household Hack

• Spray garlic powder and water all over the yard and bushes. Use a fertilizer hose attachment. Will need to be done bi-weekly (approx) or after a heavy rain.

Items to Eat Daily

Apparently the smell that comes out of your pores from a steady diet of the below deters mosquitoes. The items aren’t meant to be combined, they’re just different suggestions.

• Garlic
• B1 Vitamins
• Brewers Yeast
• Lemons

The next post will be about Mosquito Bite Itch Relief