There’s nothing worse than getting a mosquito bite that itches and drives you crazy. Too bad that’s just part of summer, right? Well it’s true that hanging out in the great outside during the warm summer months makes it more likely that you’ll get bitten, you don’t have to be a mosquito’s dinner. Use these tips to avoid bites without having to drink your sangria inside the house.
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1. Keep Stagnant Water Far Away
Mosquitos are attracted to pools of still water because that’s where they lay their eggs. The more stagnant water you have around your yard, the higher your risk of getting bitten. Empty kiddie pools and fill in holes that tend to fill up when it rains or the sprinklers come on. If you have a pond or fountain, make sure it is pumped to keep the water flowing. Bring in cups of water at the end of the day. Easy, right?
2. Reapply Your Insect Repellant Often
Like sunscreen, insect repellant soaks in and stops being effective after a couple of hours. That means you have to put it on every couple of hours to make sure you’re keeping the mosquitos at bay. Repellants differ so be sure you read the directions, which should tell you how often you need to put it on.
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3. Cover Your Sweet Drinks
It’s not really summer without a margarita or mojito while you lounge on the patio at home or at the local pub. Mosquitos are sometimes attracted to the sweet smell of your cocktail so keeping it covered can keep them away. If you’re at home, serve your drinks in a cup with a lid and a straw. At a restaurant, cover it with a napkin between sips and those blood suckers will go bother someone else.
4. Cover Your Body with Clothing
I know that covering up when it’s hot outside doesn’t sound that appealing, but the mosquitos can’t get to you through your clothes. Wear lightweight fabrics that breathe well so that you don’t overheat. There are loads of cute options so you don’t have to give up your style either. Perfect!
5. Make Sure Your Feet Are Covered Too
Mosquitos aren’t choosy about where they bite and your feet are fair game. If you’ve never had a mosquito bite on your foot, let me just tell you that it is a pretty miserable state of affairs. Wear closed sneakers or sandals to deter mosquitos from making a meal out of your toes. If you can’t give up the flip flops, be sure to cover your feet with insect repellant.
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6. Move Your Meal Indoors
What? Yes, I love eating outside during the summer too, but this attracts mosquitos. Since some of them carry illnesses, it’s better safe than sorry. Move the meal inside and you do a lot to deter bites. If you’re like me and can’t give up dinner out on the deck, consider some netting that you can wrap around your table to keep the mosquitos out.
7. Hire a Pro to Examine Your Outdoor Space
If you’ve tried all of these things and you’re still getting bitten, it might pay to have a pro check things out. Sometimes mosquitos make their home where you’d least expect it, especially if you live in a place that is very humid. An exterminator can tell you where the mosquitos are coming from and get rid of them at the same time.
Don’t you just hate mosquito bites? What techniques do you use to keep them away from you?
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