Stop Mosquitoes From Ruining Your Summer

Lately, Los Angeles has been making headlines...

Because it's the No. 1 most mosquito-infested city.

That unwanted honor is courtesy of pest-control company Orkin. Last month, it released its annual list of the Top 50 Mosquito Cities. And Los Angeles took the cake – for the fourth year in a row.

Chicago, New York City, Atlanta, and Detroit came in as runners-up. And our headquarters' location, Baltimore, came in at No. 20 on the list. Yikes.

And it doesn't matter if you live in a drought-prone area. In a study published earlier this year, University of Cincinnati researchers discovered that the drought survivors bite more often, the reason being that the extra blood meal provides the bit of hydration they need to do their thing and lay eggs.

Mosquitoes are a mild nuisance for most. They just result in a few itchy bumps that go away in a few days.

Or for some unfortunate folks allergic to mosquito saliva, they have to grapple with a severe inflammatory reaction.

And then there's the possibility of mosquito-borne diseases... like West Nile, the most common skeeter-transmitted disease in the U.S. Even though the number of cases dropped from 2023 to 2024, this disease – along with other viral mosquito-borne ones – still pose a big risk to seniors.

Major reasons are having weaker immune systems and being more likely to have existing health problems. As a result, these folks have a higher risk of developing serious complications like encephalitis (brain swelling) or meningitis (swelling of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord).

Thankfully, most of these bugs won't carry disease. Still, that slight chance of developing a dangerous disease is still a good reminder to use some common sense – and follow my favorite tips to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Prevention Is Key

Plan your time outside. With mosquitoes, it's all about throwing a "goodbye" party in the hopes of keeping them away... far away. Here's what you can do to make your gathering as inhospitable as possible for these unwanted guests.

While some mosquitoes (like the Aedes variety known for spreading dengue and Zika viruses) like to hang out during the daytime, most species (like the Culex, which spreads West Nile virus) are active at dawn and dusk. So plan your activities around those times to reduce the likelihood of being bitten. (Otherwise, plan on coming prepared with the items I'll discuss in the last two tips.)

If you'll be outside during those times, try running a fan. Even a small battery powered one will create an air current that keeps mosquitoes from easily landing on your skin. Plus, a fan can blow away some of the exhaled air since these persistent little buggers are attracted to the carbon dioxide we breathe out.

Try replacing incandescent light bulbs with yellow "bug lights," which attract fewer insects than traditional bulbs.

Check for standing water regularly. It can take anywhere from four to 14 days for a hatched baby mosquito to grow into the adult bloodsucker we all know and love to hate... So do checks for standing water every few days. I mean it.

Look in places like under your pots, your birdbaths, gutters, and pool and furniture covers, and even undisturbed tire tracks nearby – mosquitoes love laying their eggs in any little bit of standing water they can find. Checking your yard, post-rainstorm, is an absolute must.

The American Mosquito Control Association also recommends drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers to prevent water from collecting when it rains and changing the water in birdbaths at least once a week. Make sure you switch out the water in outdoor pet dishes frequently as well.

Got a green thumb? Try planting some natural mosquito-repellent flowers and shrubs. Marigolds, citronella, and ageratum are all good choices.

Wear the right clothes. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, so stick to lighter-colored outfits that are also loose-fitting (which makes it harder for them to bite you through the fabric). And tuck in your shirt into your pants and said pants into your socks. You might look silly for a moment, but it sure beats having those itchy welts for days.

Oh, and you might want to rethink slathering on that aftershave for date night because you're more likely to get pecked by a mosquito than someone else... These bugs are attracted to strongly scented personal care products like perfumes and shampoos.

Ditch the DEET. Regular readers know I've written before about the dangers of using diethyltoluamide-based insect repellants. Commonly referred to as "DEET," this chemical compound is associated with plenty of scary side effects like rashes, headaches, and even nerve damage.

When it comes to repellents, I like Repel's lemon-eucalyptus spray. Oil of lemon eucalyptus ("OLE") has been listed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") as a safe and effective alternative to DEET. Just make sure it's "oil of lemon eucalyptus," because "essential oil of lemon eucalyptus" is totally different and won't do diddly-squat.

Just remember to really read the label and use as directed. Also, only apply to exposed skin, not skin under clothing. And if you need the spray for daytime, do the sunscreen first and then apply the bug spray.

Follow my tips to keep mosquitoes away, but don't worry if you get bitten. Just keep an eye on any bites and seek medical attention if you get a headache, have neck pain or stiffness, or become feverish and achy.

P.S. The summer travel season is upon us... So I just want to leave you with some tips to ensure that the only bug you're bitten by is the travel kind...

Now might be a good time to do a little homework on travel insurance – check your credit-card benefits as they may include this perk. Also, membership clubs like Costco offer affordable travel insurance options.

Look for mosquito-proof accommodation and check the doors and windows for screens. Planning on getting closer to Mother Nature? Consider buying a portable mosquito net. They look like individually sized mesh pop-up tents.

Check in with your doctor if you're planning on visiting a country where mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria, dengue, and Zika are common.

Also, if being too scared to fly is keeping you on the ground, know that there's an even greater danger to your health and your life in the air – and even in the weeks and months after landing. Older Americans are the most at risk, too. I covered it last week for Retirement Millionaire subscribers. Not a subscriber? Well, you can read it – and all of my other issues and special reports (including recent ones from our in-house auto guru) – for 30 days, risk free.

What We're Reading... 

• More on West Nile virus.

• Something different: Who knew mosquitoes had such a sugary weakness?

Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,

Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
June 17, 2025