When the weather gets warm, people naturally gravitate outside into the fresh air. But it isn’t long before one person after another starts slapping at the mosquitoes and scratching at the itchy bites. Don’t let these nuisances ruin your summer. Here are some recommendations from Sears Imported Autos to help effectively fend off mosquitoes.

Control your environment

There are actually several things you can do to control the mosquito population right in your backyard. Dump out any standing water that has collected in places like gutters, planters, buckets, and kiddie pools. This is where mosquitoes breed. In places where you want standing water, like bird baths and fountains, be sure to dump and replace the water weekly and clean the vessels regularly.

You should also make your yard hospitable to birds. One bird can eat hundreds, even thousands, of mosquitoes each day. Put up bird houses and keep feeders clean and full. Ask at your garden store or farmers market to find out if there are particular local birds you can rely on to chow down on these bugs and how to convince them to spend time on your property.

The important thing to remember is that the fewer mosquitoes there are in your environment, the less likely you are to get bitten.

Keep your cool

While it's true that some people are more susceptible to being bitten, there's still no consensus as to why. What is known is that mosquitoes are drawn to movement and carbon dioxide. While we all exhale carbon dioxide, the harder or faster you breathe, the more carbon dioxide you exhale. So a person sitting in a lawn chair will generally be less of a target than someone jogging or playing tag with the kids. Avoid outdoor physical activities like exercising or gardening during peak mosquito hours - dawn, dusk, and early evening.

Reach for repellent

The old standby is still your best bet for avoiding bug bites. Both the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) suggest using insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin. These chemicals basically make you invisible to critters and can keep you protected for several hours. A new chemical called metofluthrin is in strips or cartridges that you can place at the perimeters of your porch or clip onto your belt to keep the pests away.

While all these products have been deemed safe, some might prefer to avoid chemicals and use a more natural product. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a natural and effective option widely available in commercial products. You can also try citronella products, although they seem to be less effective than their previously mentioned counterparts.

While there are no guarantees, these tips should minimize your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes while enjoying the warm summer weather. You don’t have to let these pests chase you indoors. Just plan ahead and be prepared to fend them off.