How to Prevent Mosquito Bites to Maximize Summer Outdoor Fun

Summer ‘19 is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited. Now that it's patio season, we’re ready to get outside and start barbecuing and relaxing. The one thing that can get in the way of your perfect summer evening is mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are (in my opinion) one of the most annoying bugs out there. Constantly buzzing in your ear, uncomfortable, itchy bites never seem to go away.

When you’re outside this summer, there are a few things to keep in mind that make you more appealing to the average mosquito. Dark clothing, exercise, beer, pregnancy, and blood type. Between all of those factors, most people will look pretty tasty to mosquitoes. They’re attracted to the heat that dark clothing offers and the sweat that comes from exercising. Like a lot of humans, mosquitoes also love beer.

Pregnant women exhale more carbon dioxide and are often warmer, which leads to increased mosquito attraction. Finally, Type O blood has been found to attract mosquitoes twice as much as other blood types. For more details on these facts, check out the Smithsonian page on mosquitoes.

Don’t worry. We did our research and are here to tell you exactly how to prevent mosquito bites this summer. We found some natural remedies, preventative measures, best practices, and best repellents to help you stay mosquito-bite-free in the upcoming months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preventing Mosquito Bites

Dark clothes, sweat, beer, pregnancy, and Type O blood. Mosquitoes hone in on heat and sweat from dark clothing and exercise; they’re also drawn to beer drinkers. Pregnant people exhale more CO₂ and run warmer. Type O blood gets targeted most. Dress light and cool to be less “tasty.” Patio Productions keeps patios bite-free with smart tips like these.

Dump standing water; add airflow; time your hangs. Eliminate breeding spots—mosquitoes can use just ¼ inch of water in birdbaths, ponds, kiddie pools, or clogged gutters. Run one or two fans to hinder flight. If pressure is high, avoid peak activity at dawn and dusk. These moves complement repellents for reliable relief.

DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. OFF! Deep Woods (DEET) tops the list for strength and duration. Sawyer (Picaridin) is odorless and non-greasy. Repel (oil of lemon eucalyptus) is a plant-based option with up to ~6 hours protection. Higher DEET % lasts longer; all are EPA-reviewed for safety when used as directed.

Yard sprays, zappers; candles are hit-or-miss. Hose-end lawn sprays (e.g., Cutter concentrate) treat grounds. Flowtron electronic insect killers lure and zap biters without sprays. Citronella candles and ultrasonic devices are inexpensive but inconsistent—use as add-ons, not your only line of defense.

Histamine causes swelling and itch. Your immune system reacts to mosquito saliva, releasing histamine that increases blood flow and triggers itch. For mild reactions, use OTC antihistamines, anti-itch creams, and cold packs. Seek care if swelling is large, you get hives, fever, or symptoms worsen.

Yes—protect dogs from bites and illness. Dogs are vulnerable to the same itchy bites—often on ears and nose—and to mosquito-borne illnesses like heartworm. If your dog seems off after bites, consult your vet. Combine repellents, fans, and water control to protect the whole pack during patio time.

Wear light colors; skip fragrances. Light shirts reflect heat and attract fewer bites than dark, heat-absorbing outfits. Long sleeves and fragrance-free choices help reduce attention. Pair wardrobe tweaks with proven repellents and airflow—Patio Productions’ favorite combo for comfortable summer hangs.

Top 5 Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites

1. Clear out their breeding ground

Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a ¼ inch of water. Any standing or still water that you have around your patio is going to be a mosquito hotel. Common standing water sources around your backyard and patio will be bird baths, small ponds, kiddie pools, and clogged gutters. If you’re prone to mosquito bites or even just hate them, try to drain your standing water sources and clean your gutters!

2. Wear light colors and avoid fragrances

As we mentioned, mosquitoes are attracted to dark-colored clothing because it provides more heat. By wearing lighter-colored clothing and long sleeves, you’ll be able to avoid the attention of mosquitoes a little better. Additionally, any sweet-smelling fragrances are going to attract mosquitoes to you. It’s in your best interest to avoid fragrances.

3. Mosquito Repellent

Mosquito repellent will be your best friend if you’re prone to bites. It’s one of the best ways to avoid bites because of its effectiveness. Clothing and other preventive measures can only get you so far. In the next section, we cover the best repellents you can wear and mosquito repellents for your patio.

4. Use a fan

You wouldn’t think so, but putting a fan on your patio will help prevent mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are pretty small little dudes, and they’re not all that strong. If you have a fan circulating air, they will not be able to fly around for extended periods. If you’re really serious about mosquito prevention on your patio, think about two fans. One floor fan to keep them away from your feet and ankles, and another for the upper body.

5. Avoid certain times of day

This is tough because it involves removing yourself from your patio for a time, but if nothing else has worked, it’s time to try this. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. If you want to avoid mosquitoes' busiest time of day, try going inside for 30 minutes to an hour. It’s not ideal, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Best Mosquito Repellents (For Your Skin)

Mosquito repellents are going to be your best bet when it comes to preventing mosquito bites. Although preventative measures are a good step, repellents are tried and tested and have proved to be the number one option.

The best repellents are going to contain DEET, which is a chemical that is the active ingredient in the majority of repellent products. Most repellents will contain between 5% and 30% DEET. The higher the percentage, the more effective and longer lasting. DEET has been reviewed by the EPA multiple times and has been proven to be safe for adults and children over the age of 8 weeks. We put together a list of the best mosquito repellents that are worth buying.

1. OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent

Off! Is going to be the absolute best mosquito repellent that you can purchase. It’s been tested many times and has always proven to be safe and the strongest option for repelling mosquitoes. An additional benefit is that it repels ticks as well, another bite that is less than ideal. After reading through the reviews and testing the product, the only downside is that it doesn’t smell super great. We think that’s a fair trade-off for protection from mosquitoes.

2. Sawyer Insect Repellent

This mosquito repellent is similar to Off! But uses Picaridin rather than DEET. The benefit of Picaridin is that it is odorless and non-greasy. The downside is that while it’s been tested for safety by the EPA and approved, it’s only been available in the US since 2005, so long-term effects are still relatively unknown. However, don’t let that dissuade you. This is a close second regarding mosquito repellent.

3. Repel Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent

If you’re looking for a plant-based natural insect repellent, Repel will be your go-to choice. Made using the oil of lemon eucalyptus, this spray can protect you from mosquitoes for up to 6 hours. When you go the natural route, you sacrifice longevity and effectiveness, so it depends on what is most important to you.

Based on the research that we’ve done, these are some of the most effective repellents available on the market today. There are a lot of other repellents that use different ingredients or are “all natural”, but they’re ineffective. Some last a few hours max, and if you’ve been around many mosquitoes, you know that just doesn’t cut it.

Best Mosquito Repellents (For Your Patio)

There are a few mosquito repellent options worth checking out that you can utilize to prevent mosquitoes on your patio. These aren’t quite as effective as a direct spray on repellent, but everything helps when you’re dealing with mosquitoes!

1. Cutter Spray Concentrate

The spray concentrate is a bottle that you connect to your hose and then spray on your lawn. It contains DEET so the idea is that when mosquitoes land on your lawn, they’ll die. It is advertised as lasting up to 12 weeks and is safe for vegetation. This seems like a great option considering one of the excellent reviews we found on amazon.

“My backyard was originally like Valhalla for Mosquitoes. Like only the bravest and strongest mosquitoes were allowed in. And those little bastards were fighting for Odin day by day. It was a miserable place to be.

But I sprayed the entire yard with this and I haven't seen ANY mosquitoes at all. Like none. Like I can run shirtless in the yard without fear -- outside of being seen running shirtless by the neighbor lady.” - William M. Ferriter (Amazon Review)

2. Flowtron Electronic Insect Killer

The Flowtron electronic insect killer is not only an effective way to ward off mosquitoes on your patio, it has a pretty cool name. It’s safe for pets and children and biting bugs are weirdly attracted to the light. If you have an aversion to sprays, this might be the choice for you and your patio.

3. Citronella Candles/Ultrasonic Devices

Citronella candles and ultrasonic devices are hit or miss regarding the effectiveness of repelling mosquitoes. Some swear by them. Others say they’re a scam. If you’ve run out of options and are willing to give anything a try, go for it. They’re cheap and easy to use, but don’t expect great results. We’ve found that they’re not all that effective.