Summer is here, and it’s likely you’ve had to come up with creative ways to keep mosquitoes away. If you want to keep mosquitoes off your bare skin this summer, you only need two things: bug spray and a fan. The truth is, citronella candles are lying to you. They’re no more effective at repelling mosquitoes than a regular candle. Those light-up bug zappers aren’t helpful either, mainly because mosquitoes don’t care about light. Wristbands only keep mosquitoes off your wrists, so unless you’re weaving them into a full-body jumpsuit, they aren’t much help either. So what does work? Two things, one chemical and one not. First, bug spray. DEET really works, and so do picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Now before you have a stroke reading the word DEET, the EPA concluded after some fearmongering in previous decades that it’s safe when used as directed. In other words, don’t spray it on your food or into an open wound. Other than that, you’re safe. If a mosquito repellent spray doesn’t have one of these ingredients, it’s probably no good. The easiest way to tell which products are legitimate without memorizing a list is to check the back of the label for an EPA registration number. Your second option is to set up a box fan. Mosquitoes are weak flyers, which is why they surround you when the air is stagnant and soupy. Setting up a fan to create a natural breeze will keep them at bay. So, if you want to enjoy sitting outside this summer, these are your best options for keeping the bugs away.
