Dealing with insects like mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies can quickly diminish the enjoyment of being outdoors. These pests are a nuisance and can pose health risks by transmitting various pathogens. Fortunately, a combination of scientifically supported methods exists to protect yourself, ranging from topical applications to environmental management.
Applied Repellents and Active Ingredients
The most direct and effective strategy for personal protection is the use of topical insect repellents, which work by confusing the insect’s sense of smell and taste. The gold standard repellent is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, commonly known as DEET, which is highly effective against mosquitoes, ticks, and gnats. DEET is believed to function by masking the human scent and by activating odorant receptors in the insect’s antennae, causing them to avoid the treated area.
Picaridin is a synthetic compound that offers effectiveness comparable to DEET against mosquitoes and ticks, but it is often preferred because it is virtually odorless and does not dissolve plastics or synthetic fabrics. A third option is Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), which is refined to increase the concentration of its active component, para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends IR3535 as a viable option, though its effectiveness against ticks is less established than DEET or Picaridin.
Repellents should only be applied to exposed skin and clothing, never underneath clothing or over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. For application to the face, spray the product onto your hands first and then carefully pat it onto the skin, avoiding the eyes and mouth.
The concentration of the active ingredient determines the duration of protection, not the level of effectiveness. For example, DEET concentrations around 10% may last for about two hours, while those between 21% and 25% can provide five to eight hours of protection. For children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using products containing no more than 30% DEET, and OLE/PMD should not be used on children under the age of three. Wash treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors, especially after repeated use.
Environmental Modification and Physical Barriers
Beyond topical products, personal protection can be significantly enhanced by creating physical barriers and altering the immediate environment. Wearing clothing that covers the skin provides a simple line of defense against both biting flies and ticks. Loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabrics, such as nylon or specialized outdoor materials, are the most effective.
Lighter-colored garments are often recommended over dark ones because mosquitoes are attracted to the heat absorbed by and the contrast of darker colors. For maximum protection, clothing can be treated with the insecticide permethrin, which repels and kills insects on contact and remains effective through multiple washes. This chemical is intended for fabric only and should not be applied directly to the skin.
Using electric fans is an effective strategy for outdoor seating areas. Mosquitoes are weak fliers and struggle to navigate in wind speeds above two miles per hour. Fans create an artificial breeze that physically prevents them from reaching a host.
Fans also disrupt the chemical cues mosquitoes use to locate people, such as the plume of carbon dioxide and body odors we exhale. Dispersing these scent trails makes detection much more difficult. Additionally, ensure all window and door screens are intact and properly sealed to prevent indoor access for flying insects.
Removing Insect Attractants from Your Property
Long-term insect control involves reducing the overall population and eliminating environmental attractants on your property. The most significant action is removing all sources of standing water, which are the primary breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Even small amounts of stagnant water, such as those found in clogged gutters, old tires, bird baths, or plant saucers, can host hundreds of mosquito larvae.
A weekly 15-minute search and removal of standing water containers can reduce the adult mosquito population in an area by a large margin. For unavoidable water sources like ornamental ponds, a biological larvicide containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) can be used. Bti is a naturally occurring bacterium that is toxic only to mosquito and black fly larvae, making it safe for humans, pets, and other wildlife.
Outdoor lighting choices can also influence the number of nocturnal insects attracted to your home. Insects exhibit a behavior called phototaxis, and they are especially drawn to short-wavelength light, which includes blue and ultraviolet (UV) light. Standard incandescent and some cool-white LED bulbs emit light in this spectrum, attracting many flying pests.
Switching to lights with a warm color temperature, specifically those in the yellow or amber spectrum (around 2700K to 3000K), can significantly reduce insect attraction. Warm LED bulbs are a good choice because they emit very little UV light and generate minimal heat, a secondary insect attractant.
Finally, proper sanitation removes the breeding and feeding sites for flies and gnats. Regularly cleaning kitchen sinks, drains, and garbage disposals removes the organic debris where small flies like to lay eggs. All trash cans should have tight-fitting lids and be kept clean, and ripe or rotting fruit should be disposed of promptly or stored in sealed containers to prevent fruit fly infestations.