Mosquitoes are the vampires of the natural world. While they may be tiny, their ability to suck our blood can be more than just a nuisance; it can pose serious health risks. Thankfully, we have some ideas about combatting our warm weather attackers, starting with repellants.

DEET-Based Repellents | DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a common and highly effective ingredient in many mosquito repellents. It’s known for its long-lasting protection and effectiveness against a variety of biting insects.

Natural Repellents |For those seeking a more natural approach, there are plenty of DEET-free options available. These often contain ingredients like citronella, eucalyptus oil, and other essential oils known for their insect-repelling properties. You can even mix your own!

Regardless of whether you choose a DEET-based or natural repellent, you need good coverage.

• Spray on Clothing: To reduce skin exposure to chemicals and enhance protection, spray repellent on clothing instead of your skin.
• Apply to Exposed Skin: Focus on areas not covered by clothing, such as hands, neck, and lower legs.
• Wear a mosquito net: Getting bitten on the face by a mosquito is an undesirable experience. Get a mosquito net to wear over a hat.

What you wear matters | Combining repellents with other protective measures can further reduce your risk of mosquito bites. We recommend that you wear long sleeves and pants to cover up completely. Covering up can significantly decrease the amount of exposed skin and make it harder for mosquitoes to bite.

Physical Fitness | Repellents and clothing aren’t the only ways to protect yourself from mosquitoes. A healthy lifestyle, including proper diet and exercise, can also play a role in reducing your risk of bites. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing if it’s close to your skin. As mentioned above, wearing loose-fitting pants and shirts reduces this risk, as the fabric doesn’t touch your skin as closely. By managing your weight, you can create that “extra space” in your clothing.

By combining the use of repellents, wearing appropriate clothing, and leading a healthy lifestyle, you can enjoy the outdoors with a reduced risk of mosquito bites and the diseases they can carry. Stay safe and be proactive in your defense against these tiny vampires!

Garlic around your neck? | We have found that garlic is somewhat effective in fighting the tiny vampires. In addition to emitting the strong odor through your skin, garlic boosts metabolism, suppresses your appetite and helps reduce fat—which will loosen your clothing.

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Improving your health and fitness involves eating healthy foods and getting out to exercise. ColorBlindWork provides plants to home gardener and organizes wellness excursions. Order plants online and consider joining us for our next outdoor activity, or schedule PlanTherapie for your work team, sorority, faith group, friends or family.

Let’s grow something — together!