Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth, according to the CDC, transmitting diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile, and Zika. But for most of us, they're just an itchy nuisance. The Washington Post recently surveyed eight leading mosquito experts for their at-home tactics to avoid being bitten. Here are the five moves they all agree on.
- Eliminate Standing Water - This is the most critical step. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a bottle cap of water. Once a week, walk your yard and empty anything that holds water: bird baths, plant saucers, toys, tarps, clogged gutters, tires, buckets, even pool floats.
Use Bti Larvicide for Water You Can't Drain - For ponds, rain barrels, or wet spots, use Bti, a bacterium that kills mosquito larvae but is harmless to people, pets, and pollinators. Products like Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits are cheap and effective for about a week.
Choose an EPA-Registered Repellent - Avoid gimmicks like citronella candles or ultrasonic devices. Stick with one of these four proven active ingredients:
- DEET (the gold standard)
- Picaridin (less greasy, won't damage gear)
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under 3)
- IR3535 (EPA-registered and effective)
Spray Clothing with Permethrin - This insecticide kills mosquitoes on contact and lasts through several washes. Apply it to shirts, pants, socks, and hats before heading into mosquito-heavy areas. Never apply permethrin to skin.
Use a Fan or Spatial Repellent - Mosquitoes are weak fliers. A simple box fan on your patio can cut bites dramatically. Spatial repellents like Thermacell create a 15-20 foot protective bubble.
The experts avoid costly fogging or misting systems. These five simple, science-backed steps can give you your summer back.