The 10 Things Mosquitoes Hate Most

While most people don’t want to be hated by others, most of us wouldn’t mind being absolutely loathed by mosquitoes. Mosquito prevention is tricky, but when you know the pesky little insects’ secrets, it’s easier to get rid of mosquitoes and enjoy the outdoors again!

1. Mosquito Repellent

Evidence shows that mosquito repellents can help keep mosquitoes away from you for a certain amount of time. DEET, IR3535, Picaridin, and lemon eucalyptus oil are all used in various bug sprays and have all been found to be effective, with picaridin proving to be even more effective (and less oily) than DEET. Some natural, DEET-Free insect repellents have also been found to be effective in protecting against insect bites such as mosquitoes.

2. Certain Natural Scents

Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents: cinnamon, peppermint, cedar, citronella, lemongrass, patchouli, catnip, lavender, and more. Find a favorite, and use it when you want to spend time outside.

3. Wind – Artificial or Natural

Surprisingly, mosquitoes aren’t very good at flying. That’s good for us humans because it means all we need to do is create a bit of wind to keep mosquitoes from coming near. While you can’t control the elements, you can bring a fan outside and turn it on high. The mosquitoes won’t be able to get close enough to bother you.

4. Garlic

Bring on the garlic! Lucky for us, mosquitoes hate the delicious vegetable. If you happen to be one of the few who doesn’t like garlic, you can sprinkle minced garlic a few feet from your porch for a similar repelling effect.

5. Certain Styles of Clothing

Mosquitoes don’t really care if your clothing is in style or not, but they do care a whole lot about getting to your skin. Loose clothing makes it harder for the nasty bugs to get a good grip for a tasty bite of you.

6. Sober Individuals

Add this to the list of merits for being the designated driver – mosquitoes might skip over you to feast upon your inebriated buddies instead. Mosquitoes are naturally drawn to people drinking beer, possibly because of the smell. In addition, mosquitoes like clammy, sweaty skin. Alcohol can make people warmer which can cause them to sweat more.

7. Light Clothes

Mosquitoes like things they can see easily, and dark clothing makes you far more visible to a hungry mosquito. Light clothing allows you to blend into the background, making you harder to spot. Mosquitoes hate it when they can’t find you.

8. Smoke

Chances are you didn’t bring enough marshmallows to share, and that’s a good thing because mosquitoes probably won’t show up to your campfire anyway, since they don’t like smoke. Not having a campfire? Light the corner of an egg carton on fire, and set it somewhere safe (like on top of your barbecue). It will continue to smoke for a long time keeping mosquitoes out of sight.

9. Dry Areas

Mosquitoes are attracted to moist places. In fact, they need standing water to breed. Stay away from marshes (especially at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active), keep standing water out of your yard, and put on plenty of bug spray if you’re going to be somewhere near the water.

10. Scent-Free Lotion

Mosquitoes really hate when you don’t wear a flowery or sweet smelling lotion. They love sweet smells and can more easily find you when you’re wearing them. Keep mosquitoes away by foregoing your sweet perfumes when you’re going to be outside.

The Best Mosquito Prevention

While these tips can help you keep mosquitoes at bay temporarily, they can be a hassle and may not always work with your outdoor plans. For the best long term mosquito prevention, contact the pros at Barefoot Mosquito .