Dealing with mosquitoes is a natural part of summer, especially here in Florida. West Nile Virus aside, they are simply annoying as well having an itchy bite.

In times past, some very natural strategies were employed for mosquito relief. When I visited Charleston, North Carolina a some summers ago, I learned that all the old houses had the bedrooms on the second floor because mosquitoes wouldn’t fly that high. In Africa, whole cities are built up mountain sides “above the mosquito line.”

If you can’t move your bedroom upstairs or move your house up a mountain, here are some easier—completely natural—-things you can do to protect your body from mosquitoes this summer.

1. Make Your Body Less Attractive to Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are attracted to our bodies through the carbon dioxide (CO2) we exhale when we breathe. The production of CO2 production varies from body to body based on its metabolic rate; those bodies with high metabolism tend to burn more CO2 and are therefore more attractive to mosquitoes.

They also like diabetics.

But they are also attracted to lactic acid, which our bodies release after a workout or after eating salty and high-potassium foods, and fruity and floral fragrances found in perfumes and bodycare products, scented sunscreens, and fabric softeners and dryer sheets.

Mosquitoes prefer moist, cool bodies, wet from rain, perspiration or swimming.

And if you are wearing light-colored clothing, particularly yellow, a mosquito will zoom right in on you.

So, to make your body unattractive to mosquitoes:

• eat less salt
• use unscented products
• dry off your body
• avoid sweets
• wear dark colors

2. Use Natural Repellents

If you want to use a repellent on your skin, the simplest repellant is vinegar. I learned this from an Italian woman who got this piece of wisdom from her grandmother. And it works! Any type of vinegar will do. I use apple cider vinegar, but cheap distilled white vinegar will do. I put it into one of those oil-and-vinegar shaker bottles usually used for salad dressing and keep it on my nightstand all summer. Before going to sleep, I just sprinkle it on my face and arms–especially around my ears–which generally does the trick.

There are also repellents made from fragrant essential oils, which are sold at many natural food stores and online. Most contain oil of citronella and/or oil of peppermint as the active ingredient. The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recommend oil of lemon eucalyptus as an effective mosquito repellent.

Mosquitoes also hate the smell of garlic. Eat raw garlic or crush a clove and rub it on your skin.

Other good repellants include:

• clove essential oil
• vanilla extract
• citronella essential oil or live plants
• any kind of mint essential oils or live plants
• rosemary essential oil or live plants
• lemongrass
• marigolds
• Cuban oregano
• eucalyptus

You can grow many of these plants in your garden or in pots on a patio or balcony. I always have mint in my garden and I’m going to plant more.

3. Put Up a Barrier

The simplest barrier is to simply cover your skin with clothing. Long pants and shirts with sleeves offer good protection.

Be sure to put screens on your windows and doors and make sure they are in good repair. Open and close doors quickly so insects don’t come inside.

And there is always the traditional mosquito netting. Larry and I don’t have one on our bed here in Florida, but we did when we lived in California. I always felt safe and protected under the net. You can get 100% cotton mosquito netting by the yard online and make your own mosquito net.

4. Natural Treatments for Mosquito Bites

If, after all the prevention, you still get bitten, here are some natural ways to relieve the itch.

• Make a paste of water and baking soda and put it on your bites.
• Apply salt water made with natural salt–the water will evaporate and the soothing salt will stay on your skin.
• Rub raw garlic over the bites.
• Apply aloe vera to the bites, in gel form or straight from the plant.

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