How to keep mosquitoes away and stay itch-free this summer

Summer is a vibrant season which brings along a variety of gifts for people including pleasant ones like delicious fruits to beat the heat.

However, it also brings along some dreadful presents which obviously include the scorching heat and the notorious villain of people’s comfort and good health, mosquitoes.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquitoes can spread diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, yellow fever, Zika and others.

While the CDC has emphasized that such cases are generally rare in the United States, it doesn't hurt to learn how to prevent such diseases from spreading and avoid those irritating, itchy bites altogether.

So how can you achieve a scratch-free summer? Here’s a list of tips recommended by the CDC.

Mosquito repellent

The CDC recommends using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered repellent as they are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Parents must remember to always follow label instructions when using repellents on their children and avoid applying repellent to a child's hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.

Adults must apply repellent to their hands before applying to a child's face.

Natural repellents are another option for people trying to keep mosquitoes at bay, but the CDC does warn that non-EPA-registered products have not been evaluated for their effectiveness.

Utilise clothes to keep mosquitoes at bay

The CDC recommends parents outfit their children in clothing that covers their arms and legs, while babies and toddlers in strollers and carriers should be shielded with mosquito netting.

Meanwhile, adults should also try to wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.