Mosquitoes are attracted to people thanks to things like strong smells (such as scented soaps, food, or skin odor), dark or bold-colored clothing, and warm body temperature.
It’s important to do what you can to keep them away, not only because the bites are itchy and annoying, but also because they can sometimes carry serious diseases, like West Nile, Zika, or malaria.
A mosquito repellent doesn’t actually kill mosquitoes. Repellents work by making people less attractive to mosquitoes, so they’re less likely to bite you.
When deciding what type of mosquito repellent to use, you should consider:
- How long you will be outside
- How many mosquitoes are in your area
- Risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases where you live
- What you are putting on your skin
Many conventional mosquito repellents have the chemicals DEET or picaridin as active ingredients. But there are more natural mosquito repellents available that may also be effective.
If you live in an area where mosquitoes are more a mild nuisance, plant-based mosquito repellents may be a good alternative to conventional mosquito repellents.
But if you live in an area that is heavy with mosquitoes or you are prone to bites, repellents containing higher concentrations (23.8%) of DEET or picaridin offer the best protection.
Although it may be unsettling to apply chemical repellents to your skin, it may be better than the alternative — being bitten by potentially disease-carrying bugs.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says mosquito repellents that contain DEET or picaridin are safe for adults and children over the age of 2 months, when used correctly.
