Myths about mosquitos Most people would do almost anything to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Despite this, however, plenty of folks are wary about using mosquito repellent. In most cases, this is because such repellents are often perceived as being unnatural and unsafe. That is unfortunate because in actuality, the only repellent that will truly protect you from mosquitoes and the diseases that they harbor is one that contains an effective chemical like DEET or picaridin. Is mosquito repellent really unsafe? Learn the truth about this and several other common repellent myths by reading on below.

Top Myths About Mosquito Repellent

  • It should be applied like perfume: If you’re fond of spraying repellent and then running through the resulting cloud for coverage, you’re doing it wrong–and you’re probably being eaten alive when outside around mosquitoes. Repellent should be applied similar to how sunscreen is applied–a thin layer over every inch of exposed skin. It does nothing for you on your clothes and only repels insects when it is directly on the skin. Therefore, cream and liquid repellents tend to be more effective.
  • Keep more mosquitoes at bay with stronger repellent: It’s natural to assume that buying the strongest repellent–the one that has the highest concentration of active ingredients–is the best way to keep the majority of mosquitoes away. However, that’s not how it works. In reality, the strength of a repellent only reflects its durability. The stronger it is, the longer it will remain active and effective. If you require long-lasting coverage, it makes sense to buy repellent with high concentrations of DEET and other chemicals. If you’ll just be out for a few minutes, on the other hand, a “weaker” repellent should do the trick.
  • Repellents are unsafe: The market is now flooded with mosquito repellents that are billed as being “all natural” or “botanical.” Typically containing ingredients like peppermint, citronella and lavender, these repellents should not be used to protect against mosquito-borne diseases. While they may work on a limited basis, they must be reapplied three to four times as often as their chemical-based counterparts–and that means that you get a lot less protection.

Finally, the last myth–the idea that gimmicks like traps and smartphone apps work to repel mosquitoes–is a bit more complicated. Repellents are far more effective than such methods, but when it comes to eliminating mosquitoes around the yard for year-round protection, you can’t beat MosquitoNix. From misting system to regular fogging treatments, MosquitoNix is one of the best ways to keep mosquitoes at bay from one season to the next. In fact, if you decide to avail yourself of this unique technology, you may not have to rely on repellent quite as much.