Mosquito Repellent tips and hacks

Traci Grossi | June 19, 2020 | Health and Wellness, Lifestyle | No Comments

Everyone hates mosquito season. Nothing more annoying than having them swarm you and leaving you with nasty bites that itch and swell into hives for days. Ruins any outing like hiking, camping, or outdoor spots.

Why do some people get bit by mosquitoes while others don’t?

Do you ever wonder why some people get bit more than others? It all starts with prevention, which is your diet. Certain foods actually can repel mosquitoes while other foods attract via body odor and sweat.

I am one of the lucky ones that rarely get bit. Here are some great tips to keep you safe from the dreaded Mosquito bite.

Prevent larvae from hatching around your home.

Did you know that 1 cup of standing water is a breeding ground for up to 1000 larvae?

Empty any standing water in pots, gutters, birdbaths, and pooling water. Tall grass is also a culprit for the pesky Mosquito.

Mosquitoes generally stay around the area they are bred and not big travelers. Mosquitoes you have have been born within a 50-meter radius so ask your neighbors to pitch in and work together to stop larvae all summer long. Mosquito cycles last 5 to 14 days. Whenever there are days of heat then lots of rain they can arrive.

It’s important to stop the larvae from hatching with Bits or Dunks that are safe for humans, pets, and bees around the home as it contains calcium and protein. Once in flight kill them with a Pesticide Fog once out and about.

Foods in your diet that attract mosquitoes.

Potassium-rich foods, such as avocados, bananas, spinach, and potatoes to name a few as they increase the amount of lactic acid you release through the skin. Although healthy maybe avoid before an outing where mosquitoes are prevalent.
Salty foods, such as bacon, chips, and nut as similar to above as they create lactic acid which then is released through the skin making you more attractive to the pesky creatures.
Alcohol, Alcohol is known to attract mosquitoes because it increases your body temperature. But hey, When camping, who doesn’t enjoy an alcoholic beverage so this one is your choice.
High cholesterol foods. Fatty meats, desserts, pizza, burgers, fries, deep-fried foods are among the many foods that increase cholesterol levels.

Mosquitoes are also known to be drawn to people with 0 blood type.

Foods that repel mosquitoes

These foods are high in antioxidants as well as regulates PH balance and lowers cholesterol among other benefits, therefore, eliminating the scents the bugs desire.

Chaga mushrooms, Chaga has many medicinal benefits along with its own natural mosquito repellent properties. Drinking Chaga tea is extremely alkalizing as well as lowers cholesterol which in part may help deters those pests.
Garlic and onions
Grapefruit
Apple cider vinegar, which also helps for after bites
Lemongrass, which can also be used to apply to skin
Chili peppers
Thiamine enriched foods
Alkaline water

More repellents for mosquitoes

Here is a list of repellents that work as natural applications and ones to use as an area repellent.

Chaga Mushroom found on Alder, Birch and Poplar trees.

Chaga to create smoke. Chaga can be costly to just burn but if you are lucky enough to come across it off a tree you are in luck and have a great mosquito repellent as well it is a healthy smoke to breathe unlike citronella and other repellents.
Vicks Vapor Rub works well by rubbing on skin before and after bites.
Coconut Oil– Rub on your skin
Listerine mouth wash. Use as a spray.
Natural scented oils and herbs such as Cinnamon, Citronella, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Marigold, Rosemary, Sage, Basil, Bergamont, Catnip, and Eucalyptus. These can be applied to the skin or added to the fire, or burning the perimeter of the camp.
Bounce dryer sheets are said to work by rubbing clothing or carrying in a pocket.
Wear light-colored clothing.