How Mosquitoes Find You (So You Can Stop Them Naturally)

Mosquitoes don’t bite at random. They use a combination of:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from your breath
• Body heat and moisture from sweat
• Skin odors caused by bacteria and natural body chemistry
• Visual cues – especially dark colors and quick movements

Natural mosquito protection focuses on breaking this chain: making it harder for mosquitoes
to find you, harder for them to land on you, and unpleasant for them when they try.

1. Use Clothing as Your First Natural Mosquito Shield

One of the safest, most effective “natural repellents” is simply what you wear. Public health guidance
consistently recommends covering exposed skin to reduce bites.

Best Clothing Choices to Prevent Mosquito Bites

• Long sleeves & pants: Lightweight, breathable fabrics that still cover arms and legs
  reduce the amount of skin mosquitoes can reach.
• Loose-fitting clothes: Mosquitoes can sometimes bite through tight, thin fabrics.
  Loose, slightly heavier fabrics make it much harder for them.
• Light colors: Dark colors absorb heat and attract mosquitoes
  more. Light colors keep you cooler and less visible to them.
• Hats & socks: Don’t forget ankles, feet, and the back of your neck – favorite target
  zones for many species.

For babies and toddlers, experts often recommend covering strollers and carriers with fine netting
instead of putting anything directly on their skin.

2. Make Your NJ Home & Yard Naturally “Mosquito-Unfriendly”

Even the best personal repellent works better when your yard isn’t a mosquito factory.
Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water and love shady, overgrown, humid spots.

Eliminate Standing Water (The #1 Natural Step)

Many mosquito species can breed in as little as a bottle cap of water.:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} Check your property at least once a week:

• Empty water from flowerpot saucers, buckets, toys, tarps, and trash can lids
• Change water in birdbaths, kiddie pools, and pet bowls frequently
• Check clogged gutters and low spots where water collects
• Fill in depressions in your lawn where puddles linger after rain

Trim & Tidy Vegetation

Mosquitoes rest in cool, shaded, humid vegetation during the day.

• Keep grass cut and shrubbery trimmed
• Thin out dense plantings where air can’t circulate
• Rake up leaf litter and debris where moisture can hide

Use Fans & Airflow Outdoors

Multiple expert sources now highlight that fans are a surprisingly powerful natural tool:
mosquitoes are weak fliers, and moving air makes it harder for them to land, while also dispersing the CO₂
plume around you.

• Run an oscillating fan on decks & patios during gatherings
• Use ceiling fans in covered porches
• Position fans to blow across seating areas, not just at your legs

3. Mosquito-Repellent Plants & Herbs: What Really Helps

Many New Jersey homeowners ask us about “mosquito plants.” The truth: simply planting something
rarely gives strong protection by itself. But some plants can help as part of a larger strategy when you use them
the right way.

Plants With Research-Supported Repellent Oils

Studies and reviews show that certain plants produce essential oils that can repel mosquitoes for short periods,
especially when the oils are extracted or the leaves are crushed:

• Lemongrass (citronella grass, Cymbopogon) – source of citronella oil
• Catnip / catmint (Nepeta spp.) – rich in nepetalactone, a strong repellent in lab tests
• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Lemon basil
• Thyme
• Peppermint & other mint species

Research shows that citronella and other essential oils can provide 30–120 minutes of protection,
depending on the oil, concentration, and conditions – less than most synthetic repellents, but still helpful
when reapplied and combined with other measures.

How to Use Plants More Effectively

• Plant strongly scented herbs like lemongrass, rosemary, lavender, and catmint near
  seating areas, walkways, and patios, not off in a remote corner.
• Gently crush a few leaves between your fingers to release their aroma before you sit outside.
• Use fresh cuttings in tabletop arrangements around outdoor dining spaces.

Remember: plants alone won’t stop all bites, but they add a nice extra layer – and they smell great.

4. Natural, Plant-Based Repellents for Skin & Clothing

If you’re trying to avoid DEET and other synthetics on your skin, there are plant-based options with
growing evidence behind them. At the same time, public health agencies note that many “natural” repellents
not registered with the EPA may have unknown or inconsistent effectiveness.

Plant-Based Ingredients With Strongest Evidence

Studies and expert reviews highlight several plant-derived ingredients that can repel mosquitoes

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) – a refined oil from the lemon eucalyptus tree; its active
  compound PMD is one of the few plant-derived ingredients recognized by major health authorities for mosquito
  bite prevention. (Do not use OLE/PMD on children under 3 years old.)
• Citronella oil (from citronella/lemongrass) – well-known repellent, but typically provides
  short-term protection (often under two hours) unless formulated with fixatives.
• Catnip / nepetalactone – research shows strong repellency in lab settings, sometimes comparable
  to conventional repellents at certain concentrations, though real-world performance may vary.
• Other essential oils like thyme, rosemary, clove, cinnamon, geranium, and peppermint –
  all appear as active ingredients in EPA’s list of “minimum risk” (25(b)) pesticides and personal repellents.

How to Use Natural Repellents More Safely

• Always follow the label directions on any spray or lotion.
• Patch test first – some essential oils can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions; test a
  small area before wider use.
• Reapply more often – most essential-oil products evaporate quickly and need frequent
  reapplication for protection.
• Avoid getting products in the eyes, mouth, or on broken skin, and don’t apply to a child’s hands.
• For sensitive groups (pregnant, breastfeeding, or very young children), talk with a healthcare provider and
  rely heavily on physical barriers (clothing, nets, fans).

Important: If you’re traveling to an area with serious mosquito-borne diseases (outside NJ),
public health agencies recommend using EPA-registered repellents with proven long-duration
protection. Natural methods are helpful, but may not be enough alone in high-risk regions.

5. Mosquito “Remedies” That Don’t Really Work

To stay truly safe, it’s just as important to know what doesn’t work. Expert reviews and CDC
guidance have found little or no evidence for

• Vitamin B supplements for bite prevention
• Garlic pills or eating lots of garlic as a repellent
• Ultrasonic “mosquito repeller” devices
• Repellent bracelets or stickers as your only protection
• Simply planting “mosquito plants” without using their oils properly

These may sound appealing because they’re simple and “natural,” but relying on them alone can give a false sense
of security. It’s better to focus on strategies with actual data behind them and combine them in layers.

6. How Bite Back’s All-Natural Yard Treatments Help in New Jersey

At Bite Back Tick & Mosquito Control, we specialize in Section 25(b) minimum-risk,
all-natural yard treatments that are designed to reduce mosquito activity around your home without
the synthetic neurotoxins used by many conventional companies.

Our formulas are made from carefully selected, plant-based active ingredients – similar to those
allowed under the EPA’s 25(b) minimum-risk category – and are applied by trained technicians who understand
where mosquitoes live, rest, and breed on New Jersey properties.

Bite Back’s Natural Mosquito Program Typically Includes:

• A property walk-through to identify standing water and shade pockets
• Targeted treatment of shrubs, under decks, fence lines, and shady areas
• Focus on environmentally sensitive practices around gardens, ponds, and pollinators
• Season-long service plans timed to New Jersey’s mosquito season
• Education on what you can do between visits to keep populations down

When you pair our yard treatments with smart personal habits – better clothing, fewer breeding sites,
fans on the deck, and optional plant-based repellents – you get a powerful, natural mosquito-management
system for your NJ home.

Contact Bite Back Tick & Mosquito Control today to schedule your all-natural mosquito treatment in New Jersey.

7. Special Mosquito Tips for New Jersey Homeowners

New Jersey’s mix of wooded lots, coastal marshes, and suburban neighborhoods creates
perfect conditions for mosquitoes. Whether you’re in Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean, Mercer, Somerset, or
surrounding counties, a few local-specific habits can go a long way:

• After nor’easters or summer thunderstorms: Do a quick standing-water check – storms often
  leave new puddles and clogged gutters.
• Pool & hot tub owners: Make sure water is circulating and treated; cover when not in use.
• Shore & lake communities: Pay extra attention to shaded, damp areas near the waterline
  and under docks.
• Wooded properties: Keep the transition between lawn and woods as open and airy as possible
  with regular brush clearing.

FAQ: Natural Mosquito Bite Prevention in New Jersey

Are natural mosquito repellents as effective as DEET?

In most studies, plant-based repellents don’t last as long as conventional
repellents like DEET or picaridin. Many essential oils offer good protection for a shorter time
– often under a couple of hours – and need more frequent reapplication.
That’s why we recommend combining them with clothing, fans, and professional yard treatments.

What is the safest way to protect babies and young children naturally?

For infants and toddlers, emphasize barriers, not bottles:
long sleeves and pants, stroller nets, staying indoors during peak mosquito hours, and using
fans. Avoid putting essential oils directly on babies’ skin, and follow pediatric and CDC
guidance about which repellents are age-appropriate.

Do citronella candles really work?

Citronella candles can offer modest, very localized protection right near the flame,
but studies and expert reviews show they’re not strong enough to rely on alone.
We consider them a “nice extra,” not your main defense.

Is an all-natural yard treatment enough by itself?

A well-designed, plant-based yard treatment program can significantly reduce mosquito activity on
your property – but no single step is perfect. For the best results, pair yard treatments with
standing-water control, yard maintenance, outdoor fans, and smart clothing choices.

Ready to Enjoy Your New Jersey Yard Naturally?

You don’t have to choose between harsh chemical fogging and getting eaten alive. With a combination of
smart habits, natural repellents, and eco-friendly professional treatments, you can make
your yard a place you love again.

Learn more about Bite Back’s all-natural tick & mosquito control services in New Jersey

or call us today to discuss the best plan for your home.