How Can You Prevent Mosquito Bites?

How can you prevent mosquito bites so you can enjoy time in your backyard worry-free? Try eliminating standing water, wearing long sleeves, using a mosquito repellent that contains DEET and contacting pest control pros.
a mosquito bite on skin
Every homeowner wants to enjoy their outdoor space without the annoyance of mosquito bites, but a mosquito infestation can quickly ruin the experience.

The good news is that there are several ways to prevent mosquito bites, including protective clothing and using bug repellent. However, the best option is to work with a pest control professional to control the mosquitoes on your property. 

How Can You Prevent Mosquito Bites?

Mosquitoes are the most active during the warmest months of the year, typically between late spring and early fall. This is often when homeowners and their families spend the most time outdoors. Unfortunately, mosquitoes can put a damper on your time outside, especially if you walk away with mosquito bites.

Mosquitoes are not just annoying. They can also carry diseases like Zika and West Nile virus. Additionally, some people can have allergic reactions to mosquito bites.

How can you prevent mosquito bites so you can enjoy time in your backyard worry-free? Don’t waste your time trying to swat away these buzzing pests. Instead, address the problem at its source and call in the help of pest control pros.

Pest Control Professionals Can Help

The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to call in the professionals. A pest control service can assess your yard, identify breeding sites and treat your property with targeted solutions that work.

Working with the pros is the most effective long-term strategy to control mosquitoes. However, there are steps you can take at home to help deter mosquitoes and avoid mosquito bites.

What Homeowners Can Do

Wearing long pants and loose-fitting clothing can help protect against mosquito bites, especially in areas with high mosquito activity. Look for long shirts and pants that are made with a breathable fabric so you don’t overheat in the summer months. 

A key way to reduce a mosquito population is by eliminating all standing water on your property. Mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of water, so anything from a puddle to a bird bath can become a breeding ground for these pests. 

It’s a good idea to walk around your home and inspect it for standing water, especially during mosquito season or after it rains. Look for things like wheelbarrows, old tires or buckets. Many homeowners are surprised to discover that mosquitoes can breed in something as small as the water inside a bottle cap. If you have water features on your property, such as a fountain or bird bath, refresh the water regularly so that mosquito eggs don’t have time to hatch.

For pet owners, if you have an outdoor water bowl, empty it each night and refill it in the morning. It’s also important for homeowners to learn how to prevent mosquito bites on dogs.

Next, adding fans to your porches and patios can help keep mosquitoes away, as they are weak fliers and can’t withstand windy conditions. Mosquitoes are much less likely to land on you when there’s a breeze.

Lastly, apply mosquito repellents before you go outside. Look for products that contain DEET. DEET repels mosquitoes both by smell and by taste. Make sure you apply it to exposed skin, such as around your neck and wrists.

a mosquito on skin

How Do I Make Mosquitoes Less Attracted to Me? 

Do you feel like mosquitoes are naturally drawn to you, and out of everyone in your group, you get bitten the most? Mosquitoes are attracted to people for a variety of reasons, and it has a lot to do with your body chemistry.

Mosquitoes are highly sensitive to the carbon dioxide we exhale. They’re also drawn to body heat, movement and the natural odors of our sweat. 

Unfortunately, there is no way to make mosquitoes less attracted to you. However, there are methods you can use to ward them off. Eliminating standing water on your property can go a long way in helping reduce mosquito populations. 

It’s important to remember that mosquitoes do not require a significant amount of water to create breeding grounds. For example, they can lay eggs in water inside a bottle cap. Remove as many containers that could hold water on your property as you can.

The best way to control mosquitoes on your property is to work with a pest control professional. Contact an expert to create a plan to reclaim your yard from annoying mosquitoes, like the brown mosquito.

spraying skin with mosquito spray

What Can I Put On My Skin to Keep Mosquitoes From Biting Me?

There are a number of products that you can apply to your skin to help keep mosquitoes away. The most well-known option is a bug repellent spray. The most effective products contain DEET, which is considered the gold standard of mosquito repellents.

How does DEET work? Mosquitoes detect humans based on smell, and the scent of DEET confuses them and throws them off the trail.

Another option is a product that contains picaridin. Some homeowners prefer it because it’s scent-free and non-greasy. Unlike DEET, it doesn’t damage fabrics or plastics. Products with picaridin may feel lighter on the skin than DEET, and they may work better for people who have sensitive skin.

a mosquito

Does Rubbing Alcohol Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Anecdotal reports have suggested that rubbing alcohol may help repel mosquitoes. However, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that rubbing alcohol is an effective bug repellent, and according to reports, its effects are only temporary.

The point of mosquito repellents is to confuse mosquitoes and deter them from your scent. However, since rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly, the scent does not last long enough to cover your natural odor. 

A better idea is to use an effective mosquito repellent product, such as the options mentioned above. Understanding the behavior of mosquitoes, such as whether mosquitoes bite during the day, can also help you avoid these pests.

Additionally, if you’re dealing with mosquitoes on your property, you should contact a pest control expert to control the population.

A professional has the right tools and experience needed to locate the population at its source: the breeding grounds. The pros can identify the breeding grounds around your property, eliminate them and help you put prevention measures in place. 

Control Mosquitoes With Professional Help

The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to work with a pest control service. With expert help, you can enjoy your time outside again.

Chem-free Can Reduce Mosquito Populations on Your Property

Mosquitoes can make you miserable. If you’re ready to limit the number of mosquitoes buzzing around your property, contact Chem-free Pest Control. We offer holistic methods of mosquito control that have your family in mind. This way, you can feel comfortable at home again.