What to Eat and What to Avoid to Keep Mosquitoes Away

When it comes to fending off mosquitoes, your diet might play a bigger role than you think. While bug sprays and repellents are the go-to solutions, certain foods can either help repel these pesky insects or make you a more attractive target. Adjusting your diet could be a simple, natural way to complement your mosquito defense strategy!

5 Foods That May Help Repel Mosquitoes

Certain foods contain compounds that can help make your body less attractive to mosquitoes. While these foods alone won’t eliminate the need for traditional repellents, they can be a helpful addition to your mosquito defense strategy.

Garlic and Onions

Both garlic and onions contain allicin, a compound that is released through your skin after consumption. Allicin is believed to act as a natural insect repellent, making you less appealing to mosquitoes. Including these pungent foods in your diet may help reduce the number of bites you get.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Drinking a small amount of apple cider vinegar daily is thought to alter your body odor slightly, making you less attractive to mosquitoes. You can also mix apple cider vinegar with water and use it as a topical spray for additional protection.

Chili Peppers

Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which can increase body temperature and promote sweating. While this might seem counterintuitive, the spicy compounds can create an environment that mosquitoes find less attractive, helping to keep them away.

Tomatoes

Rich in lycopene, tomatoes may help make your skin less appealing to mosquitoes. Lycopene is an antioxidant that can also help reduce the inflammatory response to mosquito bites, lessening the itchiness and discomfort.

Basil

This fragrant herb contains compounds like eugenol and citronellol, which are natural mosquito repellents. Incorporating basil into your meals can not only enhance flavor but also provide a mild deterrent against mosquitoes.

4 Foods That May Attract Mosquitoes

Just as some foods can help keep mosquitoes at bay, others might make you more attractive to these pesky insects. Understanding what to avoid can help you minimize your risk of getting bitten.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol, especially beer, can increase your attractiveness to mosquitoes. Alcohol raises your body temperature and causes you to sweat, both of which can attract mosquitoes. Additionally, the ethanol in alcohol is released through your skin, which may also contribute to drawing mosquitoes in.

Salty Foods

Foods high in salt can lead to increased perspiration, which in turn attracts mosquitoes. The saltier your sweat, the more likely mosquitoes are to be drawn to you. Reducing your intake of salty snacks like chips and pretzels might help reduce your appeal.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

Consuming large amounts of sugar can make your blood glucose levels rise, which some studies suggest could make you more attractive to mosquitoes. Sweet foods and beverages, including soda, candy, and desserts, may enhance your appeal to these insects.

Bananas

Bananas are rich in potassium, and there is a belief that the natural chemicals released after eating bananas can make you more attractive to mosquitoes. While this is still debated, if you find yourself getting bitten frequently, it might be worth moderating your banana intake.