I could write an entire book on all the things I loathe about summer! Those that know me, know I am not a fan. In any case, somewhere near the top of that list are mosquitos. Given the insane number of mosquitos I have encountered lately, I thought it was important to write a blog post on ways to avoid mosquitos while traveling in hopes of making your next trip a pleasant one!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click on one of the product or service links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. I only recommend products and services that I personally believe in. For more information, click here.
Prior to commencing, I would like to emphasize the importance of protecting yourself against mosquitos to the fullest extent possible. Mosquitos have the potential to transmit various severe illnesses, some of which may be deadly. Plus, nobody wants to spend their entire vacation constantly scratching. Right?!
Below are 10 very simple ways to avoid mosquitos while traveling. Protecting yourself starts here!
Keep vehicle windows rolled up to avoid mosquitos while traveling!
This is kind of a no brainer but if you want to avoid mosquitos while traveling, you really need to keep the windows rolled up on your vehicle. When you’re traveling at a high rate of speed it isn’t so bad. BUT when you slow down or come to a stop, mosquitos will find their way inside your vehicle.
Going a step further, it’s also a really good idea to make sure your dome light does not come on when you open your car door at night! Why? Because the light will attract mosquitos, and you’ll end up with a ton of unwanted passengers.
Pack a vinegar spray to avoid mosquitos while traveling!
This summer, I learned something new out of complete frustration. It was late in the evening, and I was outside doing some cleaning chores with a spray bottle of vinegar. It didn’t take long for the mosquitos to find me, and it didn’t take long for me to become frustrated with their dine and dash tactics.
When I finally had enough, I grabbed my bottle of vinegar and sprayed both of my legs. It not only made my brand spanking new mosquito bites feel better, but it also prevented any additional bites.
I now use white vinegar regularly as a mosquito repellent! It is natural, healthy, and super thrifty!
BONUS! Since I started using the vinegar spray, I have noticed that the skin on my legs feels rejuvenated and soft. I am super impressed!
IMPORTANT! You’ll want the vinegar spray strong enough to repel the mosquitos while remaining gentle on your skin. Since everyone’s sensitivity level is different, you’ll need to determine what water to vinegar ratio works best for you.
Research lodging options well to avoid mosquitos while traveling!
Believe it or not, choosing the right lodging can help you avoid mosquitos while traveling. First, make sure you aren’t booking lodging in mosquito prone areas. That alone will help you reduce your risk.
Next, choose lodging options with screened in porches that are completely enclosed. This will allow you to enjoy the fresh air and grill your dinner “without becoming dinner”.
Also, choose lodging options that do not have any stagnant water on or near the property if you want to avoid mosquitos while traveling. Stagnant water allows mosquitos to reproduce at alarming rates.
Invest in mosquito nets!
One of the best things you can do to avoid mosquitos while traveling is to invest in mosquito nets. For example, the nets below are helpful if you’re camping or just wanting to spend an entire day outdoors.
Likewise, the mosquito nets below are helpful if you are traveling with a baby. The last thing you want is a cranky baby covered in mosquito bites while you’re traveling. Furthermore, you don’t want to put your baby at risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses.
Plan your itinerary accordingly to avoid mosquitos while traveling!
Did you know you can actually avoid mosquitos while traveling by properly planning your itinerary? One thing you can do is plan indoor activities during the dawn and dusk hours when mosquitos are most active.
Another thing you can do, avoid being outside after rainstorms or when humidity levels are high. Mosquitos love humid conditions and become very active. The last thing you want is to become part of their feeding frenzy.
Invest in rechargeable mosquito repellers!
I highly recommend investing in rechargeable repellers to help you avoid mosquitos while traveling. They are a game-changer, I promise! However, I do recommend you still put on an insect repellent such as the vinegar spray I previously mentioned.
While rechargeable mosquito repellers work well, you may have to step out of the “safe zone” for some reason. For example, you may have to walk to your car to get something. Once you step out of the “safe zone”, you’re officially on the menu.
Plan your wardrobe accordingly!
Properly planning your wardrobe will help you avoid mosquitos while traveling. You’ll want to avoid showing your skin or wearing thin clothes. Both make you a convenient meal for blood sucking mosquitos. So, cover your body as much as you can with material thick enough to prevent mosquito bites.
Also, opt for light color clothing. It’s less attractive to mosquitos, and it will keep you much cooler! Furthermore, it will make you less attractive to horseflies if you happen to be traveling through horsefly country.
Pretreat your clothes to avoid mosquitos while traveling!
I highly advise pretreating your clothing with permethrin if you intend on hiking, camping, fishing, etcetera. These activities put you at a greater risk of contracting mosquito and tick-borne illnesses. You can pretreat your clothes yourself, send them off to be pretreated by a professional, or you can purchase clothing that has already been pretreated.
Don’t drink alcoholic beverages!
Surprisingly enough, mosquitos like what alcohol does to the human body which puts anyone consuming alcohol at an increased risk of becoming a mosquito buffet. You can decrease your risk by avoiding the consumption of alcohol altogether.
However, sometimes it’s awful hard to say no to refreshing cocktails. If you simply must drink, you can reduce your risk of exposure by drinking inside and following the other helpful tips in this article.
Use unscented deodorant to avoid mosquitos while traveling!
Oddly enough, you can avoid mosquitos while traveling by properly managing your scent. Choose to pack unscented deodorants because they are less likely to attract mosquitos and may even help repel them.
In fact, nix scented items all together. Perfumes, body sprays, shampoos, conditioners, soaps, shaving creams, hairsprays, hair gels, etcetera that have floral scents put you at risk. So, what can you do to still smell good and feel confident? I’m so glad you asked!
Make yourself homemade essential oil perfumes. You’ll want to use something like peppermint oil or lavender oil! Why? Because these oils repel mosquitos and leave you smelling good!
I hope you’ll make use of these easy ways to avoid mosquitos while traveling! You’ll definitely have a more pleasant time traveling if you aren’t constantly scratching. Plus, you’ll greatly reduce your risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses. Wishing you many blessings and as always, Safe Travels!
This is such a helpful guide! I’m always worried about mosquitoes when I travel, and your tips are practical and easy to follow. I particularly appreciate the advice on using natural repellents and staying mindful of peak mosquito hours.
I’m so glad you find this guide helpful! Thanx for taking the time to read and comment!
I’m lucky that mosquitos don’t usually sting me, but they can be a pest. And every once in a while I do get stung. So when that happens, I’ll try reaching for some vinegar!
Count your blessings for sure! You can also apply a baking soda water paste to the bite area. It works wonders! Thanx for taking the time read and comment!
Great ideas!!
Thanx, Lauren! I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!
Such an interesting post! The vinegar spray sounds awesome! I didn’t even realize to use unscented deodorant. Thank you for such great tips!
So glad you found it interesting! Thanx so much for taking the time to read and comment!
This is an interesting article. I read before that some people are often plagued by mosquitoes compared to others due to a chemical released by some people that attracts mosquitoes. The scented deodorant is a new one for me. Thanks for the insights.
I definitely have that chemical. Thanx for taking the time to read and comment!
Very useful tips. Will try the vinegar tip. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you find them useful! Thanx for taking the time to read and comment!
Thank you for this informative post! I really appreciate the helpful tips, especially with how annoying mosquitos can be during summer travels. This will definitely come in handy for my next trip!
You’re right! They are REALLY annoying! There always seems to be an overwhelming number of them too. *sigh* Thanx for taking the time to read and comment!