People who are often bitten by mosquitoes joke that these pests like the way they taste. So, could changing what you eat affect how enticing you are to mosquitoes? The short answer? No. There isn’t a science-backed diet to repel mosquitoes. And while diet changes won't address how tasty you appear to mosquitos, you can influence your behavior and environment. We’ll debunk ideas on repelling mosquitoes with your diet, what to eat to repel mosquitoes, and what proven solutions are available to help keep the pesky biters away.
If Eating Certain Foods Doesn’t Repel Mosquitoes, What Attracts Them?
While many people believe there are foods that repel mosquitoes, there is very little evidence supporting this theory. Lemongrass, garlic, citrus, apple cider vinegar, tomatoes, lentils, chili peppers, grapefruit, and bananas are just some of the foods many feel can repel mosquitoes. However, science shows that if it seems mosquitoes are favoring you over others, it is due to genetics, CO2 levels, body odor, body temperature, blood type, and can even be influenced by what colors you wear.
Carbon Dioxide: Why Breathing Makes You a Mosquito Magnet
Mosquitoes are highly sensitive to carbon dioxide (CO2), which we release when we breathe. Consequently, those who breathe more heavily, including heavy-set people and pregnant women, produce more CO2, making them prime mosquito targets. Staying hydrated can reduce sweating, which in turn helps control CO2 output.
Body Odor: Chemical Signals Mosquitoes Love
Lactic acid, uric acid, and ammonia are some of the chemicals in our body odor mosquitoes are attracted to. These are released in higher amounts after physical activity. Eating spicy foods and drinking alcohol can also increase these chemical levels in your body.
Body Temperature: Higher Heat Draws Mosquitoes
A higher body temperature can be enticing to mosquitoes. Keep your body temperature in check by avoiding spicy foods, showering after exercising, and eating cooling foods with high water concentrations, such as cucumbers and melons, which may make you less appealing to mosquitoes.
Blood Type: Certain Blood Types Attract More Mosquitoes
People with Type O blood are twice as likely to be bitten by mosquitoes and are more likely to release a secretion that mosquitoes can identify. Unfortunately, nothing will impact your blood type, so those with Type O blood remain at higher risk and are encouraged to work with clothing, repellants, and controlling their environment to keep the nasty biters at bay.
Clothing Color: Some Colors Make You More Visible to Mosquitoes
Darker colors are easier for mosquitoes to see, making you a bigger target. Choosing lighter colors like whites and pastels and the right clothing materials can reduce your visibility to mosquitoes, making them less likely to bite.
Foods That Help Repel Mosquitoes
While some foods may be connected to fewer mosquitoes, the benefits don’t come from eating them. Experience shows that some foods deter mosquitoes to varying degrees if you keep them nearby.
Garlic, Onions, and Apple Cider Vinegar
When it comes to what foods repel mosquitoes, strong-smelling items come out on top. Garlic, onions, and apple cider vinegar can repel mosquitoes not when eaten but by being nearby. Their strong odors can potentially mask human smell from mosquitoes, decreasing the risk of bites.
Citrus Fruits (Lemons, Oranges, Grapefruit)
Making natural mosquito repellents with citrus fruits is also worth trying. Instead of eating a grapefruit, make a natural spray repellent using grapefruit juice. However, the effect is likely minimal compared to other repellents.
Herbs and Spices
Some people have found success using lavender, rosemary, catnip, lemon balm, sage, peppermint, lemongrass, and mint to act as natural repellents. Their presence in your garden, kitchen, or applied in natural oil form may help keep mosquitoes at bay, thanks to their strong aromas.
Tomatoes
Studies have shown that a substance produced by tomatoes, IBI-246, could repel mosquitoes more effectively than DEET. This ingredient, also known as 2-undecanone, was also suggested by the CDC as a potential mosquito repellent.
Foods That Might Attract Mosquitoes
An alternative to choosing foods to eat to repel mosquitoes is focusing on what foods to avoid that may actually attract them. According to some, eating the following could make you more enticing to mosquitoes:
- Spicy foods
- High-potassium foods
- Sugary foods
- Salty foods
- Red meat
- Alcohol
These items can make you sweat or alter your scent, ultimately making you more susceptible to bites.
Debunking Myths About Mosquito-Repelling Foods
As long as there are mosquitoes, there will be myths about how to prevent them from making a meal out of us. Fortunately, when it comes to mosquitoes, Mosquito Joe® knows what’s up and will debunk a few common myths about mosquito-repelling foods:
Myth #1: Bananas Repel Mosquitoes
Eating bananas will not repel mosquitoes. In fact, they’re potassium-rich, which means they can produce lactic acid, which attracts these biting insects.
Myth #2: Vitamin B1 Is a Miracle Repellent
Have you heard that vitamin B1 is a “miracle” mosquito repellent? Probably. However, experiments have shown that vitamin B1, or thiamin, doesn’t impact mosquito activity at all.
Myth #3: Eating Garlic Deters Mosquitoes
Some people think eating garlic can repel mosquitoes because of its strong smell. In truth, there is no evidence that consuming garlic impacts how often mosquitoes bite you.
Lifestyle Changes to Minimize Mosquito Bites
While adjusting your diet may have a slight impact on how attractive you are to mosquitoes, other lifestyle changes can make a more significant difference.
- Use insect repellent: Look for products containing DEET, picaridin, or create your own repellent using lemon oil, or eucalyptus oil.
- Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves, pants covering your ankles, and light-colored clothing can help decrease the number of bites.
- Limit outdoor activity during peak mosquito times: Stay out of their way if you can or up your protection during peak mosquito hours. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.
- Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes tend to breed in stagnant water, so dumping out even the inch of water sitting in your plant saucers can help reduce their presence inside your home and around your property.
Effective Mosquito Control Solutions
Since adjusting your diet won’t offer the expected benefits in your quest to avoid getting bitten by mosquitos, it’s far more effective to rely on proven strategies like planting insect-repelling herbs and plants, interrupting the mosquito life cycle, and combining those efforts with professional mosquito control services like barrier sprays.
For long-term protection from mosquito bites, our services, backed by The Neighborly Done Right Promise® and Mosquito Joe Guarantee, are your best bet. Contact us today for a free estimate and discover how we can help you reclaim your outdoor spaces and kick mosquitoes to the curb!
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Mosquito Joe for more information and a professional on-site assessment.
