As the weather warms up, you’re more likely to run into bugs — the stinging, biting, make-you-itch kind. Mosquitoes are first on everyone’s minds, especially with fears about Zika virus. But depending on your location, you may encounter fire ants, bees, wasps, ticks and spiders, too. Wherever you live, you’ll want to prevent bites as much as possible. Finding the right bug spray can help keep the insects off you.
What Attracts Bugs?
Pesky insects are attracted by different triggers. Ticks particularly like an area scientists call the “ecotone,” or the transitional area between one landscape type (like the forest) and another (like a grassy lawn), according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. You’ll need to exercise extra caution at these areas. Bees and wasps are attracted by sweet smells, so avoid leaving sodas and desserts uncovered outside.
Spiders are always in search of food and places to hide, according to the Independent, so keeping your home orderly and putting food away promptly can discourage them from going inside. When you’re in the wild, stay away from woodpiles and areas of dense leaf litter, where spiders tend to congregate.
There are thousands of species of mosquitoes, and though what attracts them varies, many are attracted by the lactic acid that naturally occurs on human skin. They also enjoy — believe it or not — the smell of feet. Researchers at the United States Department of Agriculture determined that a species found throughout the United States is attracted to the smell of used socks.
How to Choose a Bug Spray: Chemical vs. Plant-Based
The most common ingredient in bug sprays is DEET. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using a spray that is at least 20 percent DEET to protect against mosquitoes, ticks and other bugs. The higher the concentration, the longer the spray should last.
You may hesitate to spray chemicals around kids, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says there’s no minimum age limit on using DEET. Just spray it on your hands and then apply to young kids. Keep the spray off their hands, though, because kids are more likely to rub it in their eyes or mouths.
Picaridin and IR3535 are other common repellents that the CDC recommends for use. If you’re regularly outdoors, you may want to treat clothes or buy clothes pretreated with permethrin, another type of bug repellent. The EPA provides a searchable list of registered bug sprays.
If you’d prefer to avoid chemicals, the EPA has registered a small number of plant-based repellents, too. Lemon eucalyptus oil (or its synthetic version, PMD) has been shown to be effective at repelling mosquitoes. However, it isn’t appropriate for children under three years old. Research in PLOS One has found that cinnamon, citronella and thyme oil also work well.
Plant-oil sprays may wear off faster, so be prepared to apply them more often. And if you’re concerned about putting any spray on your skin, you can try a clip-on, bracelet or candle bug repellent.
Other Ideas for Protection and Prevention
You can also limit your exposure to troublesome insects by being mindful of your environment. When it’s hot out, cutting the grass in shorts feels good — until you run over a fire ant mound hiding in the weeds. Next thing you know, they’re crawling all over your feet and stinging. Wearing long sleeves and pants (with or without bug spray) is a good way to protect yourself during outdoor activities.
Mosquitoes breed in small amounts of water in pots or gutters, so remove any standing water around your house at the start of spring and after any heavy rains. As ticks love transition areas, avoid setting up picnic tables, swingsets or other lawn equipment in these riskier areas.
While you won’t be able to prevent all stings and bites, with the right spray and clothing you can limit how much you get bitten, helping you get the most enjoyment out of the great outdoors.