Summertime is often considered by many people as their favorite time of the year because of the sunny weather, outdoor activities and fun times with friends and family.
However, there’s one tiny creature that can put a damper on this otherwise perfect season: the mosquito. These pesky insects thrive in warm, moist conditions and often make outdoor gatherings unbearable with their constant buzzing and bites.
Worse still, mosquitoes are also capable of transmitting diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which makes it important to find ways to protect yourself from their attacks. Here are some ways to do that:.
1. Wear protective clothing
The easiest way to prevent mosquito bites is to cover up. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and closed shoes. Covering up in light-colored clothes also helps as mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors.
For added protection, you could also treat your clothing with a mosquito repellent like permethrin, which remains effective for multiple washes.
2. Use mosquito repellents
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from mosquitoes is to use a mosquito repellent. There are many types of repellents available in the market that use different active ingredients to repel mosquitoes.
Some popular repellents include DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Make sure to read and follow the instructions carefully before using and reapply as directed by the manufacturer.
3. Use mosquito nets
Mosquito nets are a tried and tested method of protecting yourself from mosquito bites. You can cover your bed with a mosquito net at night to sleep well and to prevent mosquitoes from entering the area.
Mosquito nets are also available as outdoor nets which can be hung over a patio, outdoor dining table, or even over a camping tent.
4. Keep your surroundings clean
Another effective way to keep mosquitoes at bay is to keep your surroundings clean. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so it is important to remove potential breeding grounds like old tires, artificial ponds, and other sources of stagnant water.
Make sure you change the water in your birdbath, pet bowls, and vases regularly, so the mosquito larvae don’t have a chance to develop and reproduce.
5. Keep mosquitoes out of your home
While most people think of mosquitoes as an outdoor pest, they can often find their way indoors. To prevent this, make sure you keep your doors and windows shut, or install screens.
You could also use air conditioning or fans that create a strong air current to keep mosquitoes away from your living area.
6. Avoid peak mosquito hours
Mosquitoes are more active during certain times of the day. Typically, mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk. Avoid going outside during these times if you want to reduce your chances of getting bitten.
If you must be outside during high mosquito activity times, then make sure you wear protective clothing and use mosquito repellents.
7. Keep your skin cool
Another simple way to prevent mosquito bites is to make your skin less attractive to them. Mosquitoes are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, so keeping your body cool can make you less attractive to them.
You could use a fan or sit in the shade to keep cool, which can help reduce the chances of getting bitten.
8. Plant mosquito-repelling plants
Finally, you could plant certain plants around your home that mosquitoes dislike. Some examples include lavender, lemon balm, basil, and citronella grass.
While planting these plants may not completely eliminate mosquitoes from your surroundings, it can certainly help reduce their population.
Overall, protecting yourself from mosquitoes is not rocket science, and you don’t need to use harsh chemicals to keep them at bay. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy the summer season without worrying about mosquitoes and their bites.