It seems like s ome people have all  the  luck.  E specially when it comes to getting bit ten  by mosquitoes.   T he  lucky  few who seem  to repel  the buzzing, biting marauders of summer swear their repelling power  is  associa ted with what they eat  and/or drink .  We’ve all heard the myths that eating and/or drinking certain foods and beverages will deter mosquitoes from using us  as a buffet.  Well, d espite what our grandmother, neighbor, or the  I nternet tell s   us , nothing  we   eat   or drink  will keep th e  pesky   insects   from feasting on  us  and our  loved  ones .  So,  it’s time to  sort  out  the facts  from the fiction so  we  can  all  enjoy the outdoors  –  eat and drink what  we  want  –  without downing a gallon of p ickle juice first.  

Most of us are  hesitant – and for good reason – to apply  gallons  of insect repellant each  summer   so  we  can enjoy the outdoors.  We’re all  anxious  to find a more natural way to  keep mosquitoes from biting   us .   H ere’s a list of the  food s most talked about as  mosquito   repellants .   

Garlic and Onions  

T wo of the  most common food s touted as natural mosquito repellants are garlic and onions. While the se foods   can  work wonders  at  keeping your spouse , significant othe r, and the occasional blood-sucking vampire away ,  they have no effect on  mosquitoes . Mosquitos  don’t  really  care how bad  our breath smells .  So,   if garlic and  onions  are  on  the menu at  the   next BBQ,  enjoy!  Just don’t expect  them to keep the mosquitos away.    

Hot Peppers  

Another common myth  related to mosquitoes and dietary choice is th e one about   hot  peppers . Rumor has it, hot peppers –  especially  jalapenos or habaneros  –  will keep mosquitoes  away .  Wrong. V isions of  a mosquito bursting into flames after biting  us   because  we   cons umed a healthy  portion  of peppers is simply not true.  The only way these hot foods will keep mosquitoes from biting is if  we  take off running in search of the nearest glass of water to  put out the fire in our mouth.   

Apple Cider Vinegar  

Apple cider vinegar is great for a lot of things. However, preventing mo squito bites is not one of them.  So, unless you’ve grown accustomed to the bitter, face-puckering taste of apple  cider  vinegar,  skip it and spare yourself  the discomfort.         

While there are no foods that will keep mosquitoes away, there are  some  things  we  can do to  minimize  our attraction to  these flying pests   during cookout s  or other outdoor activities.   

Avoid Beer  (insert sad face emoji)  

Yes, s tudies have shown  that drinking beer can make people seem more attractive . Well, the same holds true  for mosquitoes.  The odor of beer attracts mosquitoes as does the ros y  appearance of our face  as  we  become flush from the alcohol consumption .  This gives the term, “getting a buzz on” a whole new meaning. So  be aware and  drink responsibly.    

Apply Lemon Eucalyptus Oil  

Lemon eucalyptus oil is a fantastic, natural mosquito repellant.  Bonus fact – it’s  also good for muscle  spasms  and osteoarthritis.  So,  if  mosquitos  aren’t the only thing b ugging  you,  rubbing  a little lemon eucalyptus oil   on your skin  just might help take the sting out of  what’s  ailing  you .   

As long as there are mosquitos there will be myths about how to prevent them from making a meal out of us. Fortunately,  when it comes to mosquitos,   247 Local Pest Control knows what’s up.  They know the difference between fact and fiction and can help make the outdoors fun again!  

Ever wonder  why  you seem to spend an endless amount of your outdoor time swatting at mosquitos, but  your kids or spouse  can   enjoy  the  outdoor s  without getting bitten ?  Well , there are a few factors at play.   

Blood Type  

People who have Type O blood are twice as likely to be  bitten by  mosquitoes. They are also more likely to produce a secretion that tells mosquitoes what blood type they are.  So,  if your  spouse or kids don’t have these risk factors,  chances   are ,   mosquitos don’t find them as tasty .   

Clothing  

Darker colors are much easier for mosquitoes to see and zone in on when they are hungry. If you are someone who always wears blue or black, you  are  much easier for them to see. This is especially true in the evening or late afternoon when mosquitoes are the most prevalent.   

More factors come into play when determining how appetizing you are to a   mosquito.  But there is still one surefire way to keep mosquitos away,    247 Local Pest Control!   So as you’re planning your next barbecue,  or garden party,  or just want to make outside fun again,   contact your local 247 Local Pest Control today!