WASHINGTON — Want to stop mosquitoes from ruining your summer?
For years, campers, hikers and many others who loved spending long hours in the hot outdoors thought garlic pills and vitamin B were the answers to warding off the pesky visitors — but one local expert disagrees.
“There’s no scientific basis that either garlic or consumption of vitamin B make you less attractive to mosquitoes,” says University of Maryland Entomologist Mike Raupp.
While dozens of mosquito repellents exist, Raupp narrowed the options down to his three most effective recommendations. Picaridin and lemon of eucalyptus oil both last between two to four hours, but the most effective repellent is DEET, which can protect against mosquitoes for up to eight hours.
Still, when it comes to keeping mosquitoes away, not all humans are equal. Some people attract more mosquitoes than others due to a stronger body odor.
“They’re queuing in on odors that animals and humans give off — things like carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and a whole host of other volatile organic compounds,” Raupp says.
Also, Raupp recommends a little housekeeping to help keep mosquitoes away.
“Tip over that bird bath twice a week. Dump that wheel barrow. Get up on the roof and clean out those clogged gutters and drains,” Raupp says.
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this story
