Buzz Off! 10 Ways To Guard Against Mosquito Bites

Blood-thirsty creatures live amongst us — and odds are one of those pesky mosquitoes will feast on you sometime soon.

But that doesn’t mean you should serve yourself up on a platter to those little suckers. There are ways to prevent mosquito bites and the oh-so-itchy welts they leave behind, as dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD explains.

How to protect yourself from mosquito bites

If you want to 100% avoid getting bit by a mosquito, pack up your belongings and move to Antarctica or Iceland. Those are the only two places on Earth known to be completely mosquito-free.

But since that’s not a viable option for many folks, Dr. Piliang offers these 10 tips to keep those biting bugs at bay.

1. Use insect repellent

Used as directed, insect repellent is the best way to protect yourself from mosquito bites when you’re outside for extended periods. It's safe for kids and even recommended during pregnancy.

When choosing insect repellent to apply to your skin, look for the active ingredients DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or picaridin (KBR 3023). Both protect against biting skeeters and other insects.

Dr. Piliang recommends DEET, the most common ingredient found in insect repellents.

“Higher concentrations of DEET give you longer-lasting protection if you’re staying outside for several hours,” she says. “Products with DEET typically offer different formulas that contain from 5% to 100% of the chemical, giving you about 90 minutes to 10 hours of protection.”

Be sure to follow the directions on the package and follow these tips:

• Apply it to bare skin. “Apply insect repellent only to exposed skin and concentrate on your ankles, feet, neck, ears, arms and legs,” says Dr. Piliang. Don’t spray repellent on skin that’s covered by clothing.
• Avoid your eyes and mouth. Don’t spray or pump repellent directly onto your face. Instead, spray your hands, then spread the repellent carefully on your face while avoiding your eyes and mouth.
• Sunscreen first. If you’re also wearing sunscreen — and you really should be — apply the sunscreen first and then top it with the insect repellent.
• Reapply when necessary. Insect repellent can come off if you sweat or get wet, so a second coat may be necessary in those situations to remain protected, notes Dr. Piliang.

One final bit of advice, too: Once you’re inside for the day, wash off insect repellent.

2. Wear protective clothes

A mosquito’s first choice for biting is to target bare, unprotected skin. Covering up with clothing such as a loose-fitting long-sleeve shirt or pants creates a physical barrier that makes it less likely you’ll be bitten.

“Less likely” does not mean impossible, though: A hungry mosquito's needle-like proboscis can jab through clothing, including heavier material like jeans. They’re just left apt to try.

If you want to maximize protection from your outfit, purchase clothing treated with a synthetic insect repellent called permethrin. Factory-treated clothing will be marked with a pesticide use label.

You can also treat clothes on your own using a permethrin spray readily available online and at retailers that cater to outdoor activities. If treating gear yourself, follow the instructions carefully. Do not apply permethrin products directly to your skin.

Treated items retain their protection through multiple wash-and-dry cycles. Follow manufacturer instructions for laundering.

3. Watch the clock

While mosquitoes can be flying around at any time, they’re most active from dusk till dawn. It’s especially important to take protective action (such as using insect repellent and covering up) during those hours of the day.

And if the bugs are REALLY biting during a certain period, consider hanging inside for a bit.

4. Keep your property dry

Standing water can turn your backyard into a mosquito breeding ground. “Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so drain any standing water on your property and empty anything that collects water,” says Dr. Piliang.

Any kind of container can become a hotbed for mosquitoes, so drain and dry out items like:

• Birdbaths
• Flowerpots and water buckets
• Garbage cans
• Gutters
• Play equipment, like kiddie pools

5. Stay clean

Sweat is a good thing when it comes to regulating body temperature, but it also serves as a beacon for biting bugs. “Mosquitoes are attracted to substances [especially lactic acid] that our bodies release when we sweat,” Dr. Piliang explains.

That makes your sweat-slickened skin extra-tasty for mosquitoes when you’re mowing the lawn, running a few miles or doing any other outdoor activity that leaves your shirt sticking to your back.

Drying off from time to time will help keep the mosquitoes away. Don’t delay on hitting the showers when you’re done for the day, either.

6. Avoid using scented products

You may love fruity, floral or woodsy scents, but here’s some bad news: Bugs do, too.

“Mosquitoes are attracted to perfumes, colognes and even scented lotions,” says Dr. Piliang. “If you’re prone to getting bitten, it’s best to forego fragrances.”

7. Close your windows

Don’t let mosquitoes make your home their home, too. Keep windows and doors closed or make sure you have intact screens in place so the breeze can come in without carrying any winged visitors.

“Keep the bugs outside where they belong,” says Dr. Piliang.

8. Nets at night

There’s nothing like sleeping on a porch or under the moon and stars on a nice night. But if you’re going to sleep al fresco style, a mosquito bed net can let you rest easy without worries of becoming a bug buffet.

Bed nets are fine mesh curtains that hang over sleeping areas to keep bugs out while letting the cool air in. Some nets are even pretreated with insecticide, which has been shown to increase their effectiveness by as much as 70%.

Netting also can be used over baby strollers and carriers to help protect little ones from getting eaten up.

9. Turn on a fan

Mosquitoes aren’t particularly mobile, especially when they have to contend with windy conditions. A running fan may provide just enough air movement to keep those buggers away from you.

10. Take care of your trash

It’s no secret that bugs love trash. Spraying an insecticide in your garbage may limit the population of mosquitoes as well as other flying and crawling insects. Make sure to always keep the lid on tight, too.

Why it’s important to avoid mosquito bites

Nobody wants to deal with the itchy aftereffects of a mosquito bite, but there are far more serious consequences that can come from a bite.

Mosquito bites can become infected, trigger an allergic reaction or bring on an illness.

“Though not as common in the U.S. as in other parts of the world, infected mosquitoes carry diseases that can be deadly, including malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus and more,” notes Dr. Piliang.

All the more reason to keep those bugs as far away from you as possible.