Summer is the season for dining al fresco — picnics and barbecues are two of my favorite warm weather activities. But while we humans chow down on burgers and bratwurst, we’re what’s on the menu for mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes need the protein in our blood to lay eggs, and apparently they think we need some of their saliva in return. While the saliva prevents our blood from clotting, it also causes our body’s immune system to respond, leaving us with the oh-so-attractive and ever-so-annoying mosquito bite.

How to avoid becoming mosquito bait? Insect repellant is the most important weapon in our mosquito-fighting arsenal; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DEET and Picaridin are the most effective active ingredients for deterring bugs, though oil of lemon eucalyptus is quickly proving itself to be just as successful as DEET. That may come as a relief to those who don’t want to apply a chemical like DEET to their skin, but no matter what product you choose, follow the instructions for use carefully. Put insect repellent on exposed skin, not under clothes, and skip areas with open cuts or wounds. Wash your hands after using insect repellent so you don’t ingest it, and help small children with applying the product properly.

If you forgot the insect repellant, it’s helpful to consider the mosquitoes’ plan of attack and adjust accordingly. Though there are a few types of mosquitoes out and about during the day, most mosquitoes are likely to bite between dusk and dawn, so moving the festivities indoors at this time is a good option. If you just have to be outside, consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks if the weather allows. Your clothes should be light in color; black attracts heat and thus attracts the mosquitoes. These dastardly insects are also attracted to fragrances and chemicals in our sweat, so keep yourself clean and fragrance-free during the summer. Lastly, the Mayo Clinic claims that mosquitoes are more likely to bite men, those with type O blood and the overweight, so if you find yourself amongst those populations, you might want to be especially on guard.

There are a few ways to keep the mosquitoes from getting close enough to bite. While standing water, in the form of a bird bath or a flower pot, may seem innocuous enough, it’s actually a mosquito magnet. Standing water is required for mosquitoes to lay their eggs, so eliminate their breeding grounds by regularly emptying and cleaning sources of standing water. That means you’ll need to be especially alert after a summer rainstorm, though you should also make habit of checking gutters and wading or swimming pools. Before opening a window or door, make sure all screens are intact and free of holes. And protect those that can’t protect themselves by covering strollers, cribs and baby seats with mosquito netting.

Between now and Wednesday I’m going to find the best ways to deal with those pesky bug bites; until then, enjoy these delightful HowStuffWorks articles:
How Mosquitoes Work
How DEET Works
Which animals kill the most people in the world?
Can genetically modified mosquitoes wipe out malaria?