5 tried-and-true tips to help avoid mosquito bites

Mosquitoes can be irritating and their bites are annoyingly itchy, but these pesky insects can also potentially carry harmful diseases. What's the best way to help stop them in their tracks? Here are five proven tips for avoiding mosquito bites.

For those travelling to tropical climes, prophylactic medication is available to help prevent malaria, which is spread though mosquitoes. Even when malaria is not a concern, there's good reason to avoid getting bitten.

• Mosquitoes can potentially carry the pathogens that cause dengue fever, West Nile virus and chikungunya, which are endemic to many parts of the world, particularly the Caribbean and the Southern United States. Of these three, the West Nile virus is also now found in Canada – the first cases having been reported in 2002.

It’s important to remember that mosquito bites and the diseases they could transmit have the potential to become debilitating and, if left untreated, possibly fatal. That's why precautions are necessary.

How can you fight back?

Mosquitoes tend to bite at sundown and dawn when they are most active, but they can be around at any time of day. Wearing long trousers and a long sleeve shirt can help protect your skin from bites.

• It’s also a good idea to choose pale colours. In addition to keeping you cool, light-coloured clothing is likely to deter bites since mosquitoes are more attracted to dark shades.

Mosquito nets are another important tool for preventing bites and should be used when camping or in a high-risk area. They also make it easier to sleep if you're not constantly swatting them away.

• Make sure you don't touch the sides of the net in your sleep, as this gives mosquitoes easy access to your skin.

Using an anti-mosquito spray containing DEET (N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is effective at keeping the bugs away. The downside of these products is that they can stain clothing and may be harmful if ingested. Use them with caution.

• If you’re eating or sitting outdoors, try citronella candles or a mosquito coil.

Mosquitoes enjoy hot and humid conditions. You can avoid bites by staying away from swampy areas and still water.

• Don’t allow standing water to build up in a garden as this will also attract mosquitoes.
• Pack the kid's paddling pool away after dusk to avoid insects flocking to it. Adult females lay their eggs in standing water.
• If you're planning on exercising for extended periods of time in hot conditions, be sure to protect your body.
• Mosquitoes enjoy a warm body and excessive sweating will attract them, so it’s a good idea to wear long, loose clothing and use insect repellent.
• If outdoors, avoid wearing heavily perfumed deodorants, soaps or cosmetics. If you smell too "flowery" you'll attract mosquitoes, since they also feed off of plants when not looking for a blood meal.

Foods like garlic have been known to deter mosquitoes, though you don’t want to scare off your human companions as well!

• Mosquitoes are also attracted to alcohol in the bloodstream, so sticking to water could also reduce the risk of bites.

Although these methods aren't foolproof, a little prevention can go a long way towards keeping these potentially harmful insects at bay. And while every mosquito bite is no reason for alarm, if ever you have concerns speak with your family physician.