How to Prevent (and Treat) Mosquito Bites, According to Experts

It’s true: Some people are more susceptible to mosquito bites than others.

Beyond bug spray, you can also wear clothing that helps to repel mosquitos.

When choosing a repellent, Bentley; David Brown, technical adviser at the American Mosquito Control Association; and Dr. Mustapha Debboun, a retired medical and veterinary entomologist in the United States Army, co-editor of three books on insect repellents, and general manager Delta Vector Control District in Visalia, California, all recommend looking for repellents that have ingredients that are registered with the EPA and endorsed by the CDC, which include DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, para-menthane-diol (or PMD, which is plant-based), and 2-undecanone. Brown is a fan of the EPA’s search tool that “helps identify the best repellent for the situation I will be in, which I know have been tested for both safe use and repellency.”

Continue reading the best practices for insect bite treatment and prevention here.