Mosquitoes live all over the world with the exception of Antarctica; in North America there are around 170 different types of mosquito. Female mosquitoes bite because they need blood to help them produce eggs; the male only feeds on flower nectar. A mosquito is attracted to and can detect carbon dioxide (from breath and skin) up to 36 meters away and its antennae are stimulated by lactic acid. The clothes you wear can help to repel mosquitoes, preventing them from detecting carbon dioxide and lactic acid from your skin.
Things You'll Need
Long sleeved shirts or tops
Long length trousers
Light colored clothes
Insect repellent clothing
Large-brimmed hat
Fabric softening sheets
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Instructions
Cover Up From Head to Toe
1
Long sleeves will protect the skin.
Wear long a long-sleeved shirt or top. This will prevent a mosquito coming in contact with skin. Preferably the shirt or top should have buttons at the wrist to ensure that a mosquito cannot get inside your clothes
2
Ankle-length trousers are recommended.
Wear ankle-length trousers. This will prevent insects from making skin contact. This will work even better if you tuck the trousers into socks or shoes.
3
Lighter colous are less attractive to mosquitoes.
Pick light colors to wear. Mosquitoes are less likely to be attracted to you if you are wearing lighter colors.
4
Big hats are great protection.
Put on a large-brimmed hat. The larger the brim the better: it will help to protect your face and neck from bites.
5
Tight clothing should be avoided.
Dress in loose fitting garments. The looser your clothing, the harder it is for a mosquito to reach skin.
Mosquito Repellents on Clothing
6
Development of insect repellent clothing was driven by the US Army.
Buy insect repellent clothing. The clothes are permeated with permethrin a chrysanthemum-based insect repellent. The development of this kind of clothing began in the US Army.
7
Wristbands covered in insect repellent may deter the hungry mosquito.
Impregnate wrist, neck and ankle bands with insect repellent. This may help to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
8
Fabric softening sheets may overide the smell of your body odor.
Put fabric softener sheets under your clothing. It will mask your body odor with the stronger chemical smell found in fabric softeners.
