# Any lifehacks to ward off flies/mosquitoes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 21, 2014, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020 "2014-10-21T13:04:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Standarduser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@Standarduser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standarduser)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/1 "2014-10-21T13:04:44Z")
Theres this roof of a building where i like to lay down and chill. Problem is its near a stream that is a host to flies and mosquitoes. Is there any lifehack to ward off these pests while i go up there? ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/2 "2014-10-21T13:07:06Z")
We have the same problem on our deck in the spring and early summer, as we have a creek that runs behind our house. We’ve found the best solution to be a fan; it blows the critters away from you. If they’re especially bad, we use a bit of bug spray as well; bug spray has come a long way, there are several brands that work well and don’t leave you feeling like you’ve coated your skin with stinky oil. ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/3 "2014-10-21T14:05:36Z")
> [@Standarduser](#): > > Theres this roof of a building where i like to lay down and chill. Problem is its near a stream that is a host to flies and mosquitoes. Is there any lifehack to ward off these pests while i go up there? Are you talking about insect repellant?. Also, “lifehack”? Really?? ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/4 "2014-10-21T14:07:49Z")
If you’re really dedicated, you could try to [develop immunity](http://gizmodo.com/5905994/hate-itchy-mosquito-bites-building-up-an-immunity-only-requires-about-15000-bites-per-year) to mosquitoes. I grew up in a wooded area of Minnesota and was bitten countless times. I don’t have any reaction to mosquito bites now. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/5 "2014-10-21T14:19:36Z")
DEET and more protective clothing. It’s not a lifehack, it’s what works. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/6 "2014-10-21T15:27:49Z")
Consuming large amounts of garlic is said to make you less appealing to mosquitoes - my (admittedly limited) experience suggests this may be valid. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/7 "2014-10-21T15:34:18Z")
Around our property I’ve mounted [bat houses.](http://www.batconservation.org/bat-houses/build-your-own-bat-house) We seem to have fewer mosquitoes now. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/8 "2014-10-21T15:57:30Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > DEET and more protective clothing. It’s not a lifehack, it’s what works. Picaridin/Icaridin (name depends on where you live) is just as effective, and stinks less, and is far less irritating to the skin than DEET can be. Also, it doesn’t have the solvent effects that DEET can have that dissolve synthetic plastics, dyes and inks. Commonly found in Off Skintastic Family Care, and Repel GearSmart and Tick Defense & Insect Repellent. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/9 "2014-10-21T16:03:58Z")
What’s your location? There are hundreds of different species of mosquitoes around the country, in a bewildering number of genera, and they don’t all act the same. > **[Mosquito Species: Scientific Names & Lower Classifications](https://mosquitoreviews.com/learn/species/)** > > See a full list of different species of mosquitoes and facts such as what they look like, where they live, and which are particular nuisances for humans. I’ve heard that there are places in the Amazon that are mosquito-ffree, because of high tannin content in tree bark upstream in the watershed. Try getting some tannin and spread it around wherever mosquitoes might breed in your neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lifehacks-to-ward-off-flies-mosquitoes/702020/10 "2014-10-21T16:05:46Z")
The CDC page on insect repellents - [http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites](http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites) DEET, Pricaridin, Oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 have all been proven effective. At proper dosages, none represent a health risk. I’ve used DEET for ages and modern formulations don’t bother either my skin or my sense of smell. Tests seem to show it lasts the longest of the available options but if you’re not going to be out for a long time that probably isn’t a factor. One added benefit of DEET is it works on ticks as well. But any of these options are good for avoiding mosquito bites.