Mosquitoes are a part of our natural environment, but nobody wants their bites to interrupt quality time spent hiking in the great outdoors or enjoying an evening bonfire on the beach. 

There’s some tried and true methods that can keep mosquitoes away from you and your family, whether you opt for traditional bug spray or consider natural alternatives. To avoid dealing with the relentless itching of mosquitoes bites, Dr. German Treyger, DO, a board certified dermatologist and founder of St. Clair Dermatology in Chesterfield, Michigan, breaks down everything you need to know about mosquito bite prevention during this summer season.

How to keep mosquitoes away

When it comes to finding a topical bug spray that actually works, “the active ingredients you want to look for [are] DEET and picaridin.” Rather than kill mosquitoes, bug sprays that contain DEET ward off mosquitoes by masking your natural scent, per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), and 2-undecanone are all EPA-registered ingredients that have been proven to be safe and effective when used in insect repellents, per the CDC. As always, it is important to follow the instructions of a product to ensure responsible usage, especially when being used on young children, Treyger stresses. 

Permethrin is another insecticide that can be used to treat clothing or gear to repel mosquitoes when sprayed in an 0.5% concentration. However, permethrin products are not to be applied directly on your skin, according to the CDC. 

Treyger says additional steps you can take to deter mosquitoes include:

  • Checking your surroundings to remove standing water, where mosquitoes lay their eggs
  • Wearing long sleeves and long socks when entering mosquito-prone areas
  • Reconsider wearing tight fitting clothing, such as leggings, because mosquitoes can penetrate the fabric
  • When inside, keeping doors and windows closed

What is the most effective natural mosquito repellent?

The “oil of lemon eucalyptus is the best natural mosquito repellent,” Treyger says. The oil of lemon eucalyptus provided similar protections against mosquitoes when compared to DEET, one 2016 review determined. 

However, “from a dermatology perspective, the reason I always get hesitant with all-natural remedies is just because the all-natural remedies are not monitored by the FDA [or] the EPA,” Treyger notes. For people with sensitive skin, natural repellents may contain preservatives that can cause skin irritation, rashes, and other unforeseen issues, he notes.

What smell do mosquitoes hate?

It’s well known that mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide and skin odor, and therefore, there may be something to be said about using natural fragrances to repel them. 

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In addition to the oil of lemon eucalyptus, other natural fragrances that deter mosquitoes include citronella, lavender, cinnamon oil, thyme oil, greek catmint oil, soybean oil, tea tree oil, geraniol and neem oil, per Healthline. The idea behind them is that the smell of the fragrance “can mask our natural scent, and that can throw off the mosquitoes,” Treyger says. 

However, as for the effectiveness of these types of ingredients when protecting you and your family, “I think it'll thwart them a little bit, but I'm not sure it's providing enough protection.” Ultimately, your best bet to prevent mosquito bites would be to opt for products that contain DEET or picaridin, Treyger reiterates.

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