Mosquito Proof Clothing: How to Stay Safe This Summer

The summer months are supposed to be spent outside enjoying picnics, beach days, and camping trips. Unfortunately, it’s also prime time for the world’s deadliest insect — the mosquito. Mosquitoes kill on average one million people every year worldwide.

So how do you stay safe from mosquitoes? One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from mosquitoes is mosquito proof clothing. You can either purchase premade clothes or treat them yourself. Here’s how mosquito proof clothing works.

What Fabric is Mosquito Proof?

When you are trying to prevent mosquitoes from biting you, one of the most important things to consider is the fabric your clothes are made of. While there isn’t a fabric available that’s 100% mosquito-proof, thicker fabrics are more mosquito proof than thinner fabrics. The thicker (and looser!) the fabric, the harder it is for mosquitoes to get to you. In the summer months, most people tend to wear thin and tight clothes, which makes it easier for mosquito’s proboscis to penetrate.

If you want to avoid mosquito bites,  the best thing to wear is loose clothing made of a thick fabric. Thick fabrics like nylon and polyester are mostly worn in the colder months, but if you can handle wearing them in the heat, they’re some of the best mosquito repellent clothes on the market.

If you can’t bring yourself to wear thick fabrics during summer, make sure you wear loose-fitting clothing. Think long pants that don’t have a tight fit and full-length dresses and skirts. When your clothes aren’t close to your body, mosquitoes will have a hard time biting through it and reaching your skin.

No matter how much mosquito-proof clothing you have on, it’s still important to apply mosquito repellent for an added layer of protection.

Mosquito Proof Clothing Options

When it comes to mosquito proof clothing, you have two options: you can purchase it from a company that creates and pre-treats clothes to repel mosquitoes. Or, you could create your own mosquito proof clothing by treating clothes with insect repellent.

Purchase Pre-Treated Mosquito Proof Clothing

There are a lot of options available when it comes to pre-treated mosquito proof clothing.

Some companies sell clothes that are already treated with a Permethrin-based mosquito repellent. These clothes are effective at protecting you against mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. This repellent usually lasts for around 70 washes, though it could vary depending on the garment.

A few places to buy mosquito proof clothing include:

• ExOfficio mosquito proof pants
• ExOfficio mosquito proof leggings
• REI mosquito repellent clothing

A lot of people buy pre-treated mosquito proof clothes because it’s convenient. That said, they can be a little pricey. If purchasing mosquito repellent clothing isn’t in your budget, or you don’t like the styles of what’s being sold, you can treat your own clothes at home!

Mosquito Proof Your Own Clothes

Many people prefer to mosquito proof their own clothes because it’s a less expensive process and it can give you more flexibility with what you can safely wear.

You can mosquito proof your own clothing by:

• Spraying clothing with a DEET or Permethrin while they aren’t being worn. (This Permethrin insect repellent is only about $15 and was created specifically for clothing and tents!)
• Let them dry before you wear them
• Re-spray clothing every few months, depending on how often you wear them. Some clothing treatment sprays only last six washes, while others can last 50.
• Send your clothes in to a company like Insect Shield, which provides insect repellent clothing treatment for any article of clothing you have!

Does Mosquito Repellent Clothing Work?

Yes, mosquito proof clothing does help repel mosquitoes. While nothing is guaranteed to keep you 100% safe, this is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself safe from mosquitoes when you’re outdoors.

Mosquito proof clothing works well because it’s treated with Permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide used to repel mosquitoes and can be found in many household insecticides. Permethrin chemicals aggravate mosquitoes when they get too close to it and can even kill them if they come in contact with it.

While it is seen as non-toxic, it can cause some issues in people such as allergic reactions and headaches. When used as an insect repellent in your yard, Permethrin can be harmful to beneficial wildlife.

Other Ways To Repel Mosquitoes

While wearing mosquito proof clothing is important for avoiding mosquito bites, you should also take actions to prevent mosquitoes from ever getting near you. We know that sometimes you’ll be out camping or hiking in areas where you have no say in the insect control methods. That’s perfectly fine! But, if you’re looking for ways to keep mosquitoes out of your yard, here are our favorite tried and true methods:

• Kill mosquitoes in standing water to stop them at their source.
• Plant mosquito repellent plants in and around your home for the most natural repellent possible.
• Learn the best time to spray for mosquitoes to optimize your pest control treatments.
• Repel mosquitoes with household items
• Load up your pockets and backpack with dryer sheets.
• Keep mosquitoes away from you with these seven tips.

The End of Mosquitoes Begins Here!

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