Mosquito Repellent Tips: Staying Bug Bite Free This Summer

Today I’m going to share with you some mosquito repellent tips: Staying Bug Bite Free This Summer and save from those pesky little blood suckers!

If you’re like me, you have a love/hate relationship with mosquitoes. They love you. You hate them. I can’t walk out my front door without being attacked by the little buggers. And my kids poor legs are eat up with mosquito bites. We went to Tennessee last weekend and, of course, I forgot to pack the bug spray. And didn’t remember until it was too late.

So I devised a plan to always have a back-up “repellent kit” in the van. Here are a few tips for keeping your family bug bite-free and comfortable during the hot, sticky, summer months. Some are chemical based and some are natural. It’s your pick. Me, I’m playing it safe and packing it all. I’ve NOT personally tried all these methods, but most seem simple enough so I’m willing to give them a try.

Before I give you my bug off tips, I want to tell you about this cute site that offers a little history of the mosquito. It’s pretty cools so I thought you might want to check it out. When you’re done gathering all your mosquito repellent tips here you can go learn about mosquitoes.

You’ll get some info like this:

[easy-tweet tweet=”The building of the Panama Canal hospitalized 80% of the workers due to both Malaria and Yellow Fever.” usehashtags=”no”]

Ok, now for the tips of things I’d like to make into a “kit”

Mosquito Repellent Kit

• Spray On Repellent Containing DEET
There are times when even the natural repellents just aren’t strong enough. Like in deep, mountainous woods.

•Spray Repellent with NO DEET
You can buy certain family safe brands of repellents that do not contain DEET. These are still chemical based and not all natural.

•All natural spray repellents.
If you’re not into chemicals like DEET, you can opt for a more natural spray approach like Skin So Soft by AVON. This doesn’t work well for me personally but my mom swore by it. I prefer to use essential oils that I can customize or Rocky Mountain Oils Bug Away blend which does work well for me.
UPDATED 2022:
For more relief from bug bites, try our DIY Bug Repellent (recipe found here) AND Rocky Mountain Oils Bug Away Roll-On 10ml and Bug Away Essential Oil..

•Citronella Oil
This works really well in candles or oil lanterns. I wouldn’t suggest keeping a citronella candle in your car in the summer. It will melt. But you can find sprays and even bracelets that contain the oil. You can also plant citronella plants around the perimeter of your patio to help repel them. i can’t stand the smell of citronella. It triggers my migraines within seconds so this isn’t an option for me.

•Peppermint, Cinnamon, Lemon or Eucalyptus Oil
Mix several drops into an unscented lotion or olive oil and rub on your skin. ALWAYS double check to make sure the essential oils are skin safe. Just because something is natural, doesn’t mean it’s safe to put on your skin.

•Yellow Listerine. (original)
Now, this one I have tried and it worked really well not only as a repellent but if you have a bug bite already, the antiseptic properties in Listerine work great for relieving the itch. We keep a small bottle in our first aid kit for just this very reason!

•Dryer Sheets
I’ve heard that keeping a dryer sheet (fabric softener sheet) in your pocket will repel mosquitoes. I haven’t personally tried it but it’s an inexpensive option to try.

•Rosemary And Sage
If you’re going to have a bonfire, campfire or even if you’ll be grilling out, placing these plants onto hot coals is said to repel mosquitoes.

•Wear Light Colored Clothing
Blood sucking mosquitoes are attracted to darker clothing. So go for lighter colors. Besides, they will be cooler on you in the hot summer months anyway.

•Electronic Repellent Devices
I once had a key chain that omitted a high pitched sound to repel mosquitoes. We used it one 4th of July and I didn’t get any bites. I had OFF brand spray repellent on too so I’m not sure if one or the other or the combination worked but I didn’t get a single bite!

Ok, those are just a few of my ideas. Pack them in a cute tote or Thirty One bag and toss them in your trunk or back seat and you’ll be ready to remain bug bite free all summer long!

You can download these mosquito repellent tips for staying bug bite free if you’d like a handy idea list:

What are some of your mosquito repellent tips for staying bug bite free this summer?

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We are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice and we cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research before using.