Μake us preferred on Google As mosquito-borne infections, particularly West Nile virus, remain a public health concern, preventing mosquito bites has become increasingly important. And while countless “natural” remedies — from lavender and citronella to fragrances and essential oils — are promoted as protection, scientific research paints a more complicated picture.
Do clothes really affect mosquito bites?
One question researchers have examined is whether the color of clothing influences mosquitoes’ attraction to people.
A 2022 study published in Nature Communications found that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes — which primarily transmit Zika and dengue — were more attracted to certain wavelengths after detecting carbon dioxide. Those wavelengths are perceived by humans as red, orange and cyan.
Researchers analyzed more than 1.3 million mosquito flight trajectories and found that the presence of carbon dioxide increased the insects’ visual attraction to shades associated with human skin.
That does not mean a red shirt is automatically a “magnet” for mosquitoes, or that clothing color alone determines the risk of being bitten.
Nevertheless, the World Health Organization recommends wearing light-colored clothing that covers as much of the body as possible. A broader recommendation is to avoid black clothing.
Why some people attract more mosquitoes
Mosquitoes locate humans through a combination of signals. They detect carbon dioxide from breathing, body heat and moisture, as well as a complex mixture of odors produced by the skin.
And not everyone appears to be equally attractive to mosquitoes.
A 2022 study published in Cell found that some people consistently attract more mosquitoes than others. Researchers traced this difference to higher levels of certain carboxylic acids in skin secretions, which appeared to make some individuals particularly attractive to the insects.
Products applied to the skin can also affect mosquito attraction.
A 2016 study published in Scientific Reports examined odors from different parts of the human body and found that deodorant residues affected the attractiveness of people to Anopheles coluzzii, an important malaria vector in Africa.
Some deodorant ingredients, including isopropyl tetradecanoate, appeared to reduce mosquito attacks in a laboratory experiment. The researchers concluded that certain personal-care products could potentially repel mosquitoes and provide a degree of protection.
Can mosquito-repellent plants really help?
Citronella, lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, basil and other aromatic plants are among the most widely promoted natural mosquito repellents.
Some compounds found in these plants do have repellent properties. But that does not mean a potted plant on a balcony creates a protective zone around people.
A study published in July 2026 in the Journal of Medical Entomology examined six ornamental plants, including lavender and lemongrass.
Two plants — citronella-scented geranium and rosemary — showed the strongest repellent effects in initial laboratory experiments and were subsequently tested under real-world conditions.
The study nevertheless found that simply planting these species did not significantly reduce mosquito numbers, unlike commercial spatial insect repellents.
Research into essential oils and plant extracts is more encouraging, however, as laboratory tests have found significant repellent effects.
Simple changes that can reduce bites
Repellent products are not the only way to reduce mosquito bites. A few changes to summer habits can also make people less noticeable to mosquitoes.
Turn on a fan. Mosquitoes are highly effective at detecting the carbon dioxide we exhale, body odors and heat. A fan can help in two ways: It disperses carbon dioxide and odors, making it harder for mosquitoes to track their target, while the strong airflow can make flying and landing more difficult.
Cover exposed skin. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts, preferably loose-fitting and light-colored, provide a simple physical barrier.
Avoid intense outdoor exercise. Physical activity raises body temperature, increases sweating and boosts carbon dioxide production. Sweat also contains substances that can act as chemical signals for insects.
Be cautious with alcohol. Several studies suggest that alcohol consumption can increase people’s attractiveness to mosquitoes. One study, for example, found that drinking beer increased attractiveness to mosquitoes. The precise mechanism has not been fully established.
Take frequent showers. Washing removes sweat and odors from the skin, reducing some of the chemical signals mosquitoes use to locate people.
What health authorities recommend
Greece’s National Public Health Organization, known by its Greek acronym EODY, emphasizes that one of the most important protective measures is applying insect repellent to exposed skin.
Recommended active ingredients include DEET, picaridin (icaridin) and IR3535.
EODY also recommends using spatial insect repellents, window and door screens, mosquito nets and air conditioning. Fans, however, are not included in that particular recommendation.
Another key measure is removing standing water, which provides breeding sites for mosquitoes.
Taken together, the research suggests that there is no single trick that can make people invisible to mosquitoes. But combining physical barriers, proven repellents and simple changes to summer habits can help reduce exposure to bites.
