Welcome to the summer season, the season of sun, ice cream, tank tops, bikinis, and a healthy tan. There’s one pesky visitor that often finds its way into our gardens and homes in summer, and that’s the mosquito!

Nobody wants to be kept awake at night by its annoying buzzing. Nobody enjoys waking up covered in bites and feeling itchy all over. Mosquitoes are the most irritating summer bug. They ruin every single chance you’ve got to enjoy your backyard. So, if you already suspect a mosquito infestation, it may be a good idea to reach out to a professional and arrange mosquito control, using products that will decrease their presence on your property. But you don’t necessarily need to have an infestation to find them annoying. One single mosquito can steal both your sleep and comfort this summer! So, how can you best fend them off? 

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Create a mosquito-free yard

Summer is the best time to spend the day outside, as long as you install some shading in your garden. A cozy covered patio can be the perfect spot to enjoy the cool evening breeze after a long day. And you can even get a table and a set of chairs to welcome your guests for a delicious BBQ evening. 

But how do you best avoid mosquitoes in your garden? 

You may want to consider adding plants that can actively keep mosquitoes at bay. Mosquitoes don’t like marigolds, citronella, and lavender. So, if you have dinner on your patio, you can create a strategic plant border all around. 

Avoid floral perfumes and lotions this summer

Mosquitoes are more attracted to scented products, especially floral scents. You may not realize it, but a lot of our summer favorites are scented:

• Hand cream
• Moisturizer
• Shampoo
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Oil-based serum

So, opting for unscented products is a good idea to avoid attracting mosquitoes.

Salt and potassium are a no-no

It may sound silly, but eating ice cream can be safer than having an avocado on toast this summer. Not necessarily for your health, of course, but if you are trying to avoid mosquitoes, you may want to reduce your consumption of food that’s high in potassium, such as:

• Banana
• Starchy vegetables
• Avocado
• Dried fruits
• Lentils
• Nuts
• Squash

High salt intake will also attract mosquitoes. Try to replace salt with spices instead, so you can still enjoy your favorite food!

Increased body temperature

Mosquitoes are attracted to people with an elevated body temperature. Admittedly, it sounds hard to avoid, especially in the middle of a heatwave. However, here are some things you can consider to keep your body temperature under control:

Drinking alcohol slightly increases your temperature. So, you may want to switch your favorite cocktail for a mocktail!

Staying directly in the sun will also elevate your temperature. Opt for a shaded area instead. 

If you have just been exercising, make sure to have a refreshing shower to cool down so you can keep mosquitoes at bay. Sweat is also an attractor!

Hopefully, these few tips can help you avoid those pesky buzzes this summer. There is no denying that mosquitoes have feeding preferences, so they are more likely to target pregnant individuals and people with type O blood. These are, unfortunately, out of your control! But, in the meantime, you can naturally reduce their presence in your home and garden to stay on the safe side.