How to Make Yourself Invisible to Mosquitoes

For all the mosquito magnets out there, we’re about to give you a superhero worthy defense. A recent study found that mosquitoes have color preferences. Dress in the right “disguise” and you can make yourself virtually invisible to them. Have we got your attention? Read on for all the details.

The study, conducted by the University of Washington, found that mosquitoes are most attracted to four colors: red, orange, black, and cyan. This may be because these colors have longer wavelengths. Red and orange are undertones in the color of human skin which may also play a role.

How can we use this information to prevent getting bitten by these pesky insects? Make yourself less attractive! If you are going to be out at peak hours like dusk or dawn or are going to be visiting an area known to have a large mosquito population, pass on your favorite red dress or orange shirt and opt for clothing in colors like white, blue and green. Complete your mosquito disguise by covering up as much of your skin as you can. That means wearing long pants and a long sleeved shirt.

And these same tips can be applied to your outdoor living space! Embrace colors like white, green, blue for your color scheme and when selecting furniture and decor.

Other Tips to Prevent Getting Mosquito Bites:

• Apply insect repellent when spending time outdoors.
• For babies, use mosquito netting to cover your stroller. 
• Avoid going outside during most active times—dawn, dusk and early evening. 
• Remove standing water. Check items like buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots and trash containers.
• Keep a natural remedy, like the chemical-free suction tool Bug Bite Thing, nearby to get relief when you do get a bite.
  
  

Don’t forget to snap a pic of your mosquito super disguise to share on social media and tag us @bugbitething!