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June 23, 2022
Mosquito bites – they’re itchy and annoying. Worse, they have the potential to transmit mosquito-borne illnesses. If you’ve lived in Maine long enough, you know the chances of encountering these biting pests once summer is in full swing is almost guaranteed but did you know that there are claims that you can repel mosquitoes by eating certain foods?
Mosquito-repelling foods
As we mentioned in our article, What Attracts Mosquitoes, beer, bananas and ketchup as well as the smell of lotions, perfumes, and sweat actually draw mosquitoes in but supposedly there are certain foods that these pests don’t like.
- Garlic, onions, and apple cider vinegar, when consumed, are said to change the way you smell and make you less detectable to mosquitoes.
- Tomatoes, beans, and lentils as well as other foods rich in thiamine are said to release a smell that repels mosquitoes and other bugs.
- Grapefruit, oranges, and lemons are all citrus fruits that mosquitoes apparently aren’t fond of smelling.
Can the food you eat really repel mosquitoes?
The truth is, there isn’t really any solid evidence out there that backs up the claims that you can effectively deter mosquitoes by eating certain foods.
What does repel mosquitoes?
According to the CDC, when you spend time outdoors where mosquitoes are present, you should wear an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent that contains one of these active ingredients:
- DEET
- Picaridin
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Para-methane-diol (PMD)
- IR3535
- 2-undecanone
It goes without saying but we’ll say it anyway, speak with your doctor about which insect repellent they recommend for you and your family members before making a purchase.
Other ways to prevent mosquito bites include:
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants
- Covering strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting
- Planning outdoor events when mosquito activity is low (they’re most active from dusk to dawn)
- Make sure your window screens are not ripped or torn
- Keep entry doors and garage doors closed when not in use
Seasonal mosquito control for the win
If you’d like to enjoy your backyard and outdoor living space without feeling like mosquitoes are going to carry you off, contact Pine State Pest Solutions.
Providing seasonal mosquito control in Auburn, Cape Elizabeth, and Saco as well as throughout our multi-county service area, our locally owned and operated pest control company will visit your property once a month from May through September. During each service, we’ll treat areas where mosquitoes rest and where they breed thereby significantly reducing the mosquito population and their ability to reproduce.
Other mosquito control options from Pine State Pest Solutions
If you’re also worried about ticks that spread Lyme disease and other tick-borne illness, we offer a tick plus mosquito service that runs from April through October and targets both biting pests.
Another option for Maine homeowners in Pine State’s service area is our Complete Protection Plus. This year-round home pest control plan protects against ants, mice, and other house-infesting pests PLUS it targets mosquitoes and ticks when they’re active.
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