![]() ![]() Realistically, though, you can’t catch ‘em all. “There’s no doubt that traps can-under the right environmental conditions-capture of a lot of mosquitoes,” Day says. This can do a pretty good job of ensuring they won’t come anywhere near your place.Īs for mosquito traps? They’ve been souped up with fancy features to attract mosquitoes with special lights, heats, or scents. If you live in an area where the mosquitoes are unbearable, it might be worth hiring a professional to come and treat your yard with insecticide, Russell says. ![]() Related: The Best Insect Repellents to Prevent Bites All Summer (You can also search products registered with the EPA here.) If it does, it should be effective and safe. If you’re at the store and you’re not sure if a repellent has these ingredients, “your safest bet is to look for Environmental Protection Agency approval on the product’s label,” Nancy Troyano, Ph.D., a board-certified entomologist and Director of Operations Education and Training for Western Exterminator Company. Pereira, Ph.D., an entomologist and research scientist at the University of Florida. “This is something that was developed for the military just like DEET was,” says Roberto M. While all of the above have been found to be effective like DEET, picaridin is the next best choice. ![]() If you just can’t with DEET, there are other options that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use in repelling mosquitoes, including: DEET in lotion or wipe form is also just as effective as a spray and removes the risk of inhaling it.įinally, don’t waste your money on wearable DEET items, like wristbands or anklets-they don’t actually prevent mosquito bites, says Day. If you’ll be outside for 90 minutes or less, he says a product with 7 to 10% DEET will do the job, and you can always reapply to extend its efficacy (do not go higher than 30%). Instead, squirt a little onto your hands and rub it onto your ankles, elbows, wrists, forehead, and all the other places where your skin is thin-and where mosquitoes love to feed.Īlso important: Day says a product’s DEET concentration determines how long it will last-not how well it will work. Still, he’s quick to add: “Most people don’t understand how to apply it properly.” (Fun fact: DEET makes a great tick repellent, too.)įirst, you should not spray DEET on your body and clothes like it’s perfume, he stresses. When used as directed, it’s extremely effective, since it blocks a mosquito’s CO2 receoptors, Day says. That’s why preventing mosquito bites in the first place should be a priority during the warmer months.Įntomologists know how these insects operate, which is why we consulted several for the dos and don’ts of repelling these pesky pests.ĭEET has a bad reputation, but adverse reactions to it are rare-and tend to occur only when people swallow or snort the stuff. Mosquitoes can carry all sorts of intense diseases, like the West Nile or Zika viruses, or even chikungunya and malaria (which are risks if you travel to certain countries). Luckily, there are ways to get rid of a mosquito bite quickly, and the itching should go away within two to three days.īut it’s not just bites you need to worry about-the aftermath can be unpleasant, too. The result? Those unbearably itchy, red welts you remember scratching at as a kid. Your immune system sees this is a threat and pumps out histamine (the same response it has to allergens) to attack these proteins. When a mosquito lands on your skin, it will feed on your blood-but once it leaves, the proteins in its saliva stay behind. But before you fill another shopping bag with citronella candles, it’s important to understand your adversary. The mosquitoes are out and ready to chow down. It’s backyard barbecue season-but you’re not the only one planning a feast. This article was medically reviewed by Shonda Hawkins, M.S.N., a nurse practitioner and member of the Prevention Medical Review Board. ![]()
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