What they are: Small flying insects that feed on blood; only the females bite. For most people, they are more of a nuisance than a serious threat. If you’re young and healthy, danger from West Nile virus — an infection carried by mosquitoes that has been a growing problem since the late 90s — remains fairly low. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that serious illness or death from West Nile is a risk mostly for people over 50 or those whose immune systems have been weakened. Regardless of your age, mosquitoes are a pain.
Where they are: Everywhere in the United States, except at elevations above 8,000 feet.
How to keep them away: Female mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide (that is, what you exhale) and sweat. Repellent blocks the mosquitoes’ receptors so they can’t catch your scent. The most effective repellents
contain DEET, a chemical that, despite controversy over its safety, has been used for 50 years. (See
DEET: What It Is, How to Use It.) Choose a controlled-release block with less than 30 percent DEET (such as 3M Ultrathon spray). Or consider a product with a newly available chemical repellent, Picaridin, which is derived from black pepper and is a popular repellent in Europe (try Cutter Advanced Picaridin Insect Repellent Pump Spray).
But if you hate the idea of putting chemicals on your skin, use formulas made from natural oils, such as Bite Blocker insect repellent, which is soybean oil–based. Natural repellents work for only 30 minutes to two hours, compared with up to eight hours for DEET, but since they’re nontoxic, you can reapply them as often as you like.
Also, mosquitoes like sweet scents, so avoid using perfume or highly scented lotion when they’re around.
The best way to heal bites: You’ll want to both stop the itch and decrease the allergic reaction. One of the best itch stoppers is menthol, which is why generations of grandmothers have dabbed Vicks VapoRub on bites. Modern alternatives include Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion, which is recommended by dermatologists; it contains menthol and camphor. AfterBite, with ammonia and natural oils, soothes the skin.
When you are bitten, your body releases compounds called histamines to try to get rid of the toxin, says David A. Berman, a dermatologist in Palo Alto, California. “Some people have stronger histamine reactions than others,” he says. If you have an allergic reaction to mosquitoes (your bites swell and are very itchy), take an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (which can cause drowsiness). And stay away from after-bite remedies that contain topical antihistamines. Taking them orally is fine, but applying them to skin gives some people a rash.
Tip: Mosquitoes are attracted to contrasting colors, like a black shirt on fair skin, or bright prints, so wear clothes that blend with your skin tone.
