Ask the Gear Guy
Avoiding mosquito attacks
Q. I feel like a mosquito magnet. Seems like every time I go on outings with my troop, I’m the only one who gets bitten. What can I do? Help!
– Badly Bitten Ben, Smyrna, Ga.
A. Luckily there are some things you can do. First, wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt and a hat. If the mosquitoes can’t find your skin, then it’s harder for them to bite you. There’s even clothing with a built-in mosquito repellent called permethrin. Try Ex Officio’s Buzz Off long-sleeve tee ($34; boyslife.org/links/exofficio) and Buzz Off Air Strip pants ($75). I tested this stuff in the Yukon during an expedition recently where the mosquitoes were big enough to carry off a housecat — and it works!
Wear light colors, too, as mosquitoes seem more attracted to dark colors, and lay off scented shampoos and soaps because some bugs love the smell.
As for insect repellents, look for products that contain either DEET or picaridin as the active ingredient.
Read 10 comments about “Avoiding mosquito attacks”
July 8th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Thanks, Gear Guy! I might try the slacks you mentioned in your answer.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:46 am
Nice 2 know
July 31st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
umm what if your somewhere and it is realy hot out
i never wear long pants or long shirts even in witnter
i spray on bug spray and it never works what should i do?
August 5th, 2008 at 11:30 am
A friend told me to mix 3/4 listerine (original) and 1/4 water in a spray bottle. I live in Alabama on a creek and the mosquitoes will tote you away. Try it, I did and it worked for me!
August 5th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I do get bitten by mosquitoes alot so this will help me! Thanks Gear guy!
August 9th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
A 50%-50% blend of water and original Listerine works well. use a small spray bottle and just use a light mist of the solution on exposed areas, i’ve used it and it works well, and in-expensive.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Repel makes a Gear and Clothing repellent which uses permethrin. Before packing for my last camp out I sprayed all my clothing, my hat and even my folding chair. The only time I needed bug spray the entire weekend was when I zipped off the legs of my Switchbacks.
This was also the first time I’ve used a picaridin based repellent. I like it a lot better than the smell of the Deet based sprays. It was also nice because it didn’t have that greasy feel.
October 8th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
WHEN HANGING A MOSUTIOE NET USE DUCK TAP OR BUY A COT WITH POLES TO HANG IT ON
October 16th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
My way of repelling mosquitoes is the natural and delicious way, by eating LOTS OF ONIONS AND HOT SAUCE! They don’t like stinky or spicy blood.
October 18th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Mosquitoes keep biting me like I’m on the menu when I go to bed what should I do