31+ Best Mosquito Hacks You Wish You Tried Sooner!
Not a single person on this planet hopes to get bit by a mosquito when they travel. Without mosquito hacks, much of our outdoor time is spent swatting at the air to avoid getting bitten.
Mosquito bites can range from annoying to totally painful and can ruin an otherwise blissful moment by keeping you indoors.
I always joke (even though it’s not funny!) that if you don’t like mosquitos just stand near me, as I will always get bitten more than anyone else. This doesn’t stop me from traveling, but it does make the sunset a little wearier and the sexy swimsuit moments a bit more red and itchy.
This is a post to help prevent mosquitos when traveling. For the ones who have tried it all and still can’t come up with a good solution.
In this post, you will learn the best mosquito repellent, natural mosquito repellent, mosquito net hammock, mosquito hacks, mosquito tips, mosquito lotion, mosquito oils, and more!
This post is all about mosquito hacks.
Best Mosquito Tips
Mosquito tips will cover the best practices to avoid mosquitos altogether, what to look out for and the general best tips to prevent mosquitos while traveling.
- Shut the windows. Unless you have an open air unit, shut the windows and doors while moving in and out. This alone can make ALL the difference in the world.
- Steer clear of still water. This is a breeding ground for mosquitos and you will most likely get twice as many bites.
- Put on extra repellent during sunrise and sunset. This is the time mosquitos are out more and are often called “mosquito mealtimes.”
- Depending on the type of adventure you are embarking on you might want to invest in mosquito repellent clothing. Loose fit, long sleeve, light colors (less attractive to mosquitos than dark colors) and protection for your head. Mosquito repellent clothing can be extra helpful if you plan to go to a mosquito heavy area.
- Purchase a mosquito net hammock. These are seriously awesome and a fun way to enjoy the scenery/stay protected at the same time. If you are sleeping outdoors this can also be better than sleeping on the ground without protection and you will probably wake up with less bites.
- Just wear repellent! This seems obvious but is often forgotten when having fun. Read the directions and reapply when needed.
- Shower! Mosquitos will go after sweat more than soap. Purchase a mosquito repellent body wash with oils that repell and you will be a few steps ahead of the game.
- Turn the fan on. The wind and/or movement of a fan can drastically help.
- Avoid scented flowery smelling perfumes as it attracts mosquitos right to you.
Foods That Attract Mosquitos
- Alcohol. Specifically beer as it causes the drinker to release more of a sent than someone drinking water.
- Sugar. Again, mosquitos want to feast on the ones that smell sweet and strong.
- Salt.
- Ice cream.
- Bananas.
- Avocado.
So, basically, avoid everything delicious on your vacation and swap it out for garlic and onion (mosquito-repelling foods). Sound good to you? Me either. Just do your best here and try to apply some of the other mosquito hacks during your adventure travels.
Mosquito Repelling Foods
- Onions
- Garlic
- Oregeno
- Grapefruit
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Hot Peppers
- Lemongrass
- Vitamin B12
- Tomatoes
Best Mosquito Hacks
There are so many mosquito hacks out there and I have tried them all. Unfortunately for those with blood type O you just might have to work a bit harder as mosquitos tend to go after that type a bit more aggressively.
- Oil of oregeno, garlic pills and onion. Yes, it is a bit gross, but it is easy to travel with and combined with garlic it can totally keep (some of) the mosquitos at bay. It is recommended to begin eating cloves of garlic everyday atleast two weeks before your trip to ensure it is in your bloodstream.
- Peppermint foot lotion. When I tell you I have tried everything I meant it. Mosquitos hate peppermint (both the plant and the oil) and wearing this on your feet will keep them cool as a cucumber and mosquito bite free. Keep in mind peppermint foot lotion is not waterproof and you should reapply when needed. My favorite choice is the Burts Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion and it is available at most stores, I just couldn’t find a link for you!
- Lemon body oil. This lemon body oil literally changed my life when I found it!!! This is the exact brand I use (and I use it everywhere) when I travel. I have shared this mosquito hack with friends who normally get eaten and they have also reported back that their bites were minimal to none. Cover yourself in this lemon body oil from head to toe every day and night before heading out for a noticeable difference.
- Best mosquito coils. I learned about these in Thailand and bought a bunch to bring back home with me. Sadly, I ran out of them. I did my research though and found the same ones on Amazon! The scent really brings me back to the magical evenings spent in Koh Lanta with these mosquito coils lit at our feet. I now bring them everywhere. Bring a mosquito coil holder as well, otherwise they tend to break or not stay lit as long. The green mosquito coils linked below are the Americanized version and the brown mosquito coils are the exact ones from Thailand. Using a mixture of both has the best results.
- Best mosquito candles and best mosquito incense. These deet free citronella candles are the best protection against mosquito hour. The incense is also natural and filled with mosquito repelling oils that smell great. They are affordable, easy to pack and will burn for hours at a time. Plus, they give your evening time outdoors an extra vibe.
- Best mosquito bracelets. There is definitely some debate about whether or not these actually work. Some people swear by them and others still get bit. It could be the different types of mosquitos- some of them are ruthless no matter what kind of repellent you have on. These bracelts have over 10k 4 star reviews on Amazon, and fact that they are waterproof is definitely something. You can wear them on both your wrists and ankles for extra protection.
- Best mosquito head net. These can totally have a sexy safari vibe happening and if you find yourself in a very mosquito prone place then one of these is a must. That way you can explore and stay safe.
- Best mosquito app for smartphone. This is actuslly one hack I have yet to try. Anti mosquito is an app that emits sounds to keep mosquitos away. It has 4.5 stars and thousands of reviews. I am excited to try next time I travel somewhere buggy. Couldn’t hurt, right? Report back and let me know if it helped!
Deet
There is a lot of debate about whether or not deet is bad for you and whether or not a natural remedy will work just as well.
Use the natural route whenever possible, but if you have no other option and the natural remedy just isn’t working use these deet best practice tips below.
- Apply over (not under) your clothes.
- Avoid the face and eyes.
- Avoid petting animals after applying.
- Wash your hands after.
- Do not swallow.
- Do not apply to irritated areas.
- Ask doctor if you are unsure if it is right for you.
Mosquito Bite Remedy
With the combo of luck and mosquito hacking you won’t get bit (for real it is all about the peppermint foot lotion and lemon body oil combination!) but if you do and need some relief give these mosquito bite remedies a try.
- Ice pack.
- Make a baking soda paste by mixing with water.
- Take an oatmeal bath. these feel heavenly and will make your skin feel super soft and stop the itching.
- If it’s really bad an oral antihistamine.
- Aloe Vera. If the vacation you are going on is sunny this is an item you might want to pack anyways.
- Honey. To decrease inflammation.
- Over the counter lotions, creams or gels. Get the ones that numb the bite for a little extra relief.
Use this post for an upcoming trip and plan just a little ahead so you can relax and enjoy your time traveling.
Hopefully, in the future, you can experience adventures around the world without sacrificing your beautiful skin (and sanity) to a**hole mosquitos- pardon my french!
This post was all about the best mosquito hacks.
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