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Repellent -

The first line of action for keeping away mosquitoes and other unwanted bugs is repellent. Repellents with DEET as an ingredient is what you’re looking for here.

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Avoid excess sugar -

Your diet affects your blood, which is what attracts mosquitoes. Excess sugar and processed foods in your diet will make you a magnet for mosquitoes.

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Alcohol attracts mosquitoes -

The American Mosquito Control Association advises that drinking beer and other alcohol is not advisable if you want to avoid being bitten.

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Clothing made with permethrin -

Mosquitoes are killed or incapacitated by clothing that is made with permethrin. The chemical is mixed in with the fabric in production.

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Permethrin spray -

You can also purchase permethrin spray that is completely safe for your skin. It can be applied to your outdoor clothes every few weeks to prevent mosquito bites.

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Wear light colors -

Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors like black, brown, and dark blue. This is because these colors attract heat, which mosquitoes are attracted to.

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Wear loose clothing -

Tight clothing is perfect for mosquitoes to bite through. For this reason, it is best to wear loose clothing to avoid bites from insects.

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Beware of dusk -

Although it isn’t always practical, one way to avoid mosquito bites is to avoid being outside during the few hours before and after dusk, which is when they’re most active.

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Lock it down -

When mosquitoes are inside your home, it's tricky to catch them. For this reason, you should avoid leaving doors and windows open during mosquito season.

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Window and door screens -

If you need to keep the windows or doors to your home open, it’s best to invest in a screen that will allow air to flow through but keep out any unwanted critters.

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Choose your perfume wisely -

Certain perfumes will attract mosquitoes, and others are known to be as effective as DEET in repelling them, so choose wisely.

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Mosquitoes are weak flyers -

Mosquitoes are terrible flyers, so even a light breeze from a fan can keep them at bay. Oscillating fans make it harder for them to maneuver.

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Keep humidity low -

Keeping the humidity indoors to a minimum with your air conditioner or with a dehumidifier makes most insects’ existence very uncomfortable.

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Citronella -

Citronella-scented candles are fantastic at repelling mosquitoes both indoors and outdoors.

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Mosquito coils -

Mosquito coils are easily found in home stores. They give off an aroma that helps keep those critters away.

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Plants -

Certain plants give off aromas that are discouraging for many insects to be around. Lavender, marigold, chrysanthemum, and lemongrass are examples of plants that can keep mosquitoes and aphids away.

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Garlic -

Garlic is another odor that mosquitoes cannot stand. Setting some cloves of garlic out in the garden or around your home is an effective repellent.

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Other herbs that repel -

Basil and rosemary are also known to repel mosquitoes.

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Coffee grounds can help -

Setting out bowls of used coffee grounds is an environmentally-friendly way to repel mosquitoes. Putting bowls in your yard or your home helps to keep them away without spraying any chemicals.

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Avoid using zappers -

Don’t use bug zappers. They actually kill harmless bugs, including those that are beneficial to the ecosystem. What's more, they don’t zap mosquitoes–they only attract them!

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Choose the right lighting -

There are special lights that can be found online that mosquitoes and other insects can't detect. They are great for setting up in the garden or yard.

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Insect tape -

Insect trap tape works by drawing the insect in with an attractive scent, but when they land on the tape, they stick to it and cannot escape.

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Homemade insect traps -

Insect traps are straightforward to build. Cutting a plastic bottle in half and placing the spout side down is all it takes. This way, when insects enter to get a taste of the solution in the bottle, they can’t get back out. There are plenty of liquids that do the trick. Apple cider vinegar and dishwashing soap are good ones.

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Stagnant water -

Mosquitoes and other bugs breed in standing water. They lay their eggs in it. A good idea to avoid mosquitoes and other bugs around the home is to regularly dump standing water from flowerpots, birdbaths, and gardens.

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Cutting off the source -

As bugs breed in stagnant water, to avoid them swarming around your house it’s advisable to circulate the water in pools and ponds for about six hours every seven days. There are also certain fish, like goldfish, that will eat mosquito larvae.

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Trees and stagnant water -

Certain trees are good for soaking up water that attracts mosquitoes and other insects, such as the Red Maple, Pin Oak, and Swamp Cottonwood.

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Keep grass and vegetation tidy -

Mosquitoes and other insects take refuge in long grass and vegetation during hot days. By keeping your garden trimmed and tidy, they will have to fly further away for protection.

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Welcome predators -

Welcome birds, spiders, and other small predators to your garden with bird houses and the like. They eat mosquitoes, so you don’t have to hunt them down with a newspaper!

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Light a fire -

If you’re outside for an evening, lighting a fire is the oldest trick in the book to keep away mosquitoes and any other unwanted flying insects. Both the smoke and the light repel mosquitoes.

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Take out the trash! -

Keeping your garbage empty is pivotal to avoid having insects around your home.

Sources: (Home Hacks)(Mosquito Magnet)

See also: Fun, easy ways to help bees this summer

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