Mosquitoes

How to Avoid Their Bites

Introduction
Dangers of Mosquito Bites
Preventing Mosquito Bites
Ineffective Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Introduction

There are many complex reasons that mosquitoes are attracted to humans. We know for certain that the carbon dioxide you exhale is an important attractant for all biting arthropods, but other factors--like the color and texture of your clothing, the lotion you use, or the moisture content of your skin--might also contribute to how attractive you are to the pesky critters.

Dangers of Mosquito Bites

Female mosquitoes feed on blood to help their eggs develop into offspring. When they bite, they release saliva into the bite area. Proteins in the saliva may cause allergic reactions--such as itchy red bumps and swollen hives--in some people. Stronger allergic reactions can include blisters, bruises, or large inflammatory reactions.

Mosquitoes harboring a virus can transmit that virus to humans through their saliva. In Florida, the viruses that mosquitoes transmit can cause encephalitis. The most important mosquito-borne diseases in Florida are St. Louis encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, and West Nile virus encephalitis.

Preventing Mosquito Bites

Avoid Mosquitoes

Peak mosquito activity occurs between dusk and dawn. The insects prefer calm, shady, humid areas.

Adjust Your Wardrobe

The more skin you cover, the fewer bites you will receive. Light-colored clothes are also less attractive to mosquitoes than dark-colored clothing.

Use Topical Repellents

The most effective insect repellents contain the chemical DEET. Products with 6% - 25% DEET are usually sufficient for two to six hours of protection. Use the lowest concentration that is effective for you, and reapply as needed. Before using any DEET product, it is very important to read the entire label and follow the instructions correctly.

There are many topical repellents that do not contain DEET. Products with citronella (an oil extract from a lemon-scented grass) or eucalyptus can be purchased, frequently in health-food or camping/outdoor stores. Most non-DEET products need to be reapplied frequently. These products are less effective than DEET-based repellents of equal concentration.

Use Other Types of Repellents

There are a variety of repellent plants, candles, coils and area repellents (crystals that you spread on the ground) that contain citronella, pyrethrums (extract of chrysanthemum) or a similar synthetic compound, on the market. These products have limited effectiveness. While they should not be used indoors, they may help repel mosquitoes in screened-in porches and around pools and patios where there is little air movement.

Ineffective Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Bug Zappers

These popular and expensive products are not effective for controlling biting insects. They will kill some mosquitoes, but they kill many more beneficial insects, often in huge numbers. Also, the light of the zapper attracts more mosquitoes into a yard than would be present if the zapper was absent.

Birds & Bats

These animals, while desirable for other reasons, will not reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard.

Eating Certain Foods

There is no scientific evidence that eating garlic, vitamins, onions, or any other food will make you less attractive to mosquitoes. The attractant level of each individual to biting arthropods is based on the complex interaction of many chemical and visual signals. For certain individuals, certain foods may affect their individual attractiveness to biting arthropods for better or for worse. If a certain type of food works for you, or you think it works for you, then use it.

For more information about Integrated Pest Management (IPM), visit IPM Florida.