Light-colored clothes
can prevent mosquito bites to a certain extent.
Mosquitoes buzzing around can be annoying, especially during summers when you want to spend some time soaking up the sun or having a barbecue with your family. It is the female mosquitoes that bite, as they need the blood to produce eggs. However, these mosquitoes can be carriers of diseases, such as West Nile fever, encephalitis, meningitis, filariasis and dengue.
While there are sprays that work as repellents, some people wonder whether wearing light-colored clothes can prevent mosquito bites.
Color of Clothes
The possibility of mosquitoes attacking you is less when you wear light-colored clothes, as light colors have a tendency to reflect heat. Mosquitoes use both heat and their ability to spot an object to find their victim. Dark-colored clothes not only absorb more heat, but are also noticed more easily by mosquitoes.
Patterns
The pattern of your clothes also plays an important role in attracting mosquitoes. The more flowery or patterned a piece of clothing, the lesser the chance mosquitoes are attracted to it. Dark-colored solid clothes attract mosquitoes. It is therefore advisable to wear light-colored patterns if you are outdoors.
Cotton or Synthetic Clothes
It is best to wear loose-fitting and light-colored clothes, preferably cotton. This minimizes the chances of sweating. Perspiration increases when a person wears tight-fitting and/or synthetic clothes. Cotton clothes absorb perspiration and prevent it from remaining on the body. Mosquitoes are drawn to certain odors, perspiration being one of them.
Other Control Methods
The best way to keep a check on the mosquito population is to ensure that you remove possible sources of stagnant water where these insects breed and lay eggs. Make sure that you have a proper, closed sewage system. Inspect all gutters both within your yard and clean them regularly to prevent stagnation of water.
Make sure that all ditches in the yard are filled up to prevent water from stagnating. In addition, keep trashcans and recycling bins covered. If there is a pond in the yard, keep certain breeds of fish that feed on mosquito larvae.
Check flowers regularly to prevent water from collecting under the pots, if they are placed on dishes. Drain out the dishes.
Clean the bird baths regularly and change the water every three to four days. Wash pet water dishes placed outdoors every day and replenish with fresh water.
Keep the swimming pool chlorinated and aerated to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water. When not in use, cover the pool. You can drain out the pool water if you are not in favor of covering it.
Apply mosquito repellents whenever you go outdoors at dawn, dusk or early evening, as mosquitoes are most active during these periods. Repellents that contain DEET, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethly-3-methylbenamide are very effective, according to NBII Wildlife Information Node. Read instructions on the product label carefully before applying the repellent.
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