Buy fairy lights, exfoliate and seven other ways not to be a mosquito magnet
Do you always get bitten when you head outside? It's time to get clued-up
GRAB your repellent spray and stand by for a bumper summer of insect bites.
There are 34 species of mosquitoes living in the UK and, according to Howard Carter, the creator of Incognito, a 100% natural mosquito repellent, our mild winter meant more mozzies survived than usual — and now they’re ready to munch!
How attractive you are to mosquitoes is partly determined by your genes, which control the scents you emit.
But even so, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your risk of getting bitten.
1 Exfoliate regularly
Mosquitoes are attracted to us by the scented substances we exhale (such as carbon dioxide) and chemical messengers on our skin known as kairomones.
“Washing removes kairomones,” says Howard.
“So cleanse regularly with soap — pick one that’s unscented or contains an oil that mozzies don’t like, such as citronella (try Incognito Hair & Body Wash, £8.49).
And exfoliate using a loofah – its tiny hairs will extract odour-causing substances from deep within the pores, while a body scrub or flannel will just remove the top layer of skin and scent.”
2 Invest in fairy lights
According to a recent study, insects don’t like yellow-coloured LEDs — in fact, they were even more likely to avoid these than special lights sold to repel insects.
Look for bulbs labelled “warm white” or “soft white” — despite their name, they give off a yellow-hued light.
Try Gardenkraft 50 Warm White LED String Lights, £32.99.
3 Change your perfume
Most fragrances attract insects, so it’s better to go au naturel.
But if you don’t feel dressed without perfume, pick Victoria’s Secret Bombshell, £47.27 for 50ml EDP, or for a softer scent, Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray, £1.99.
Both products have actually been shown to repel insects for up to two hours in recent studies.
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4 Keep off the booze
It’s not very holiday-friendly, but a study in Japan has discovered that mosquitoes love beer drinkers.
Researchers aren’t sure why, but alcohol does raise your body temperature, which might make you an easier target.
5 Exercise clever
Mosquitoes like the smell of dried sweat, so you could find that post-workout is prime biting time.
In many countries, mosquitoes are most plentiful at night, dawn and dusk, so avoid exercise around these times.
“But in areas where diseases like dengue fever or the Zika virus are present, mosquitoes can bite all day,” says Dr James Logan from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
If you’re in a place with day-biting mosquitoes, such as South-East Asia, South America, the Caribbean and Italy, wear repellent all day.
To find out which type of mozzies live where you’re going, visit .
Put on high-factor sunscreen first, wait at least 15 minutes, then apply repellent — sunscreen needs to bind to the skin to work, while repellent sits on top. Applying them the wrong way round reduces the efficiency of both. Try Boots Repel Once Insect Repellent Aerosol Spray, £8.99.
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“If you really want to stop being attractive to mosquitoes, wearing insect repellent is key,” says Dr Logan.
Recent changes in guidelines mean there are now two recommended ingredients to look for: DEET at formulations of 20-50%, and PMD, which is sold under the trademarks Citrepel 75 and Citriodiol.
“These are essential in areas where mosquitoes spread diseases like malaria, dengue fever or the Zika virus,” says Dr Logan.
You’ll find DEET in ranges like Jungle Formula or many Boots Repel products. PMD is found in ranges including Incognito.
Correct application is essential, too.
“Ideally you should use a pump spray dispenser, as they ensure the best distribution of the product,” says Ian.
“If you’re using an aerosol spray, shake it well so you don’t end up covering your skin with the propellant chemical in the aerosol, rather than the active ingredient.”
Ian’s not a fan of roll-ons.
“They tend to be quite gummy – and mosquitoes can actually stick to them, while wipes simply don’t apply enough active ingredient to protect you,” he says.
Oh, and if you are a mozzie magnet, apply product frequently.
“How long a repellent works varies between individuals — people who get bitten a lot might need to apply it more often,” says Ian.
PMD also needs applying more often than DEET. For more bite-related advice visit Bug-off.org.
6 Wear light colours
“Darker colours like black, blue, green and floral patterns on clothing attract mosquitoes as they act as camouflage for them,” says Howard.
“Instead, wear white, beige, light brown or light olive — hues they prefer not to land on.”
Mozzies can also bite through fabric and the tighter your outfit, the more likely you are to fall victim.
So opt for floaty tops and skirts or palazzo pants.
7 Embrace oil
Citronella is one scent known to repel mosquitoes, but it’s not your only option.
A new study led by Kasetsart University in Thailand has found that holy basil oil and vetiver oil keeps the biters at bay, too.
Try a couple of drops of Neal’s Yard Remedies Vetiver Organic Essential Oil, £9.20, in a diffuser close to where you’re sitting.
8 Watch your back
The backs of your neck, calves, arms, elbows and ankles are key biting points.
Why? “Because mosquitoes are vulnerable when they’re biting, so they prefer to attack from behind,” says Howard.
Make sure you cover these bits well. And don’t forget your feet.
“Mosquitoes can only fly to certain heights — many types fly close to the ground and so tend to bite feet and ankles,” says repellents expert Ian Burgess, from Insect Research & Development in Cambridge.
9 Don’t fall for the myths
“If it were true that garlic repelled mosquitoes, they’d all starve to death in countries where it’s in most of the cuisine — and that doesn’t happen,” says Ian.
“And there’s no proof that taking extra B vitamins makes any difference.”
What about apps that emit sound vibrations to keep bugs away?
They don’t work either.
“It’s only female mosquitoes that bite and they don’t pick up vibrations — only males do,” says Ian.
FYI
Pregnant women are more attractive to mosquitoes as they have a larger body surface area to emit yummy smells. Speak to your pharmacist or GP to find out which repellents are safest.