5 scents that mosquitoes really hate and 5 things they are attracted to!

The scorching summer has officially made its grand entry and even if it is the season of ice creams and cold drinks, it also marks the entry of the pesky mosquitoes.

From their nasal buzzing to itchy bites and not to forget the plethora of diseases which they bring along, mosquitoes are truly the worst amongst all the insects and dealing with them is a tremendous struggle of its own.

We present to you a list of 5 fragrances which will help you keep these irritating disease-carriers away and 5 things that act as a mosquito magnet.

Thank us later.

Yes! The smell of garlic is known to keep pesky mosquitoes at bay. Infact, eating garlic cloves is also known to drive these blood-sucking insects away.

This plant can be really easily grown in the comfort of your home. Oil extracted from its leaves is known to be very effective to drive mosquitoes away.

Peppermint leaves are most commonly used in virgin mojitos and flavoured iced teas and are best known for the zing of freshness they bring. It is a pretty popular flavour in chewing gums as well.

But did you know that the oil extracted from peppermint leaves repels mosquitoes as well?

Yes! Extracted from the lemongrass plant, the citronella oil is known to keep mosquitoes away.

Organic neem oil is one if the easiest ways to guard yourself against mosquitoes. All you need to do is to apply it all over the exposed skin before you head out of the home.

1. Genetics

If you often seem to get bitten by mosquitoes which are usually invisible to other’s eyes, you just might be the mosquitos' favourite person. Several studies have found that your genetics may be responsible for 85 per cent of the susceptibility to the insect bites, including mosquitoes.

If you are someone who has a higher metabolic rate and exhales more carbon dioxide when compared to people around you, you might be a mosquito magnet.

For those who feel that perfumes ward off mosquitoes, they just might be the reason why they seem to hover all over you. Although it is yet to be scientifically proven, would you be willing to take the risk and get covered by those nasty-looking bites?

According to research conducted by the Institute of Pest Control Technology of Chiba, these blood-sucking insects are more prone to bite those with type O blood type.

Yikes. Sorry but this one is also true. The lactic acid present in your body which attracts those nasty, irritating insects. You also tend to expel more body heat when you workout, which is apparently another magnet for mosquitoes.

1. Wear loosely - fitted clothes

When you are trying to fight a battle against getting bitten, the best defence is to wear ill-fitted, baggy clothes.

Mosquitoes are mostly attracted to dark items of clothing, so we suggest sticking to white and pale-coloured clothes to avoid them.

Mosquitoes really get all bitey after 4 in the evening. Our suggestion? Stay indoors and guard yourself, lest you want to keep zapping them away. They are usually more active during dusk and dawn.