How To Protect Yourself from Mosquitos This Summer
While some mosquitoes (like the Aedes variety known for spreading dengue and Zika viruses) like to hang out during the daytime, most species (like the Culex, which spreads West Nile virus) are active at dawn and dusk. So, plan your activities around those times to reduce the likelihood of being bitten.
If you’ll be outside during those times, try running a fan. Even a small battery powered one will create an air current that keeps mosquitoes from easily landing on your skin. Plus, a fan can blow away some of the exhaled air since these persistent little buggers are attracted to the carbon dioxide we breathe out.
Try replacing incandescent light bulbs with yellow “bug lights,” which attract fewer insects than traditional bulbs.
Check for standing water regularly
It can take anywhere from four to 14 days for a hatched baby mosquito to grow into the adult bloodsucker we all know and love to hate… So do checks for standing water every few days.
Wear the right clothes
Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, so stick to lighter-colored outfits that are also loose-fitting (which makes it harder for them to bite you through the fabric). And tuck in your shirt into your pants and said pants into your socks
Ditch the DEET
Commonly referred to as “DEET,” this chemical compound is associated with plenty of scary side effects like rashes, headaches, and even nerve damage.
When it comes to repellents, I like Repel’s lemon-eucalyptus spray. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (“OLE”) has been listed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) as a safe and effective alternative to DEET. Just make sure it’s “oil of lemon eucalyptus,” because “essential oil of lemon eucalyptus” is totally different and won’t have any effect.
Just remember to really read the label and use as directed. Also, only apply to exposed skin, not skin under clothing. And if you need the spray for daytime, do the sunscreen first and then apply the bug spray.
Just keep an eye on any bites and seek medical attention if you get a headache, have neck pain or stiffness, or become feverish and achy.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
— Benjamin Franklin
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