Avoid Being a Louisiana Mosquito Magnet

We live in Louisiana, so it is kind of a given that we have standing water all around us and that brings mosquitoes. So how does one avoid these itchy and pesky vermin?

If you are the kind of person who works out often and you enjoy the outdoors after a good time at the gym. Sorry to tell you, but your best bet is to go inside immediately after a work-out. That’s because mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale – and the lactic acid we produce when our bodies break down food for fuel during exercise.

For all you BBQ Grillers, how can you protect yourself when you are flipping the burgers and charring the dogs? Do what the kids do, move around. Don't stay in one place very long, as it is much easier for mosquitoes to attack people along the perimeter of a group than those in the center.

Believe it or not, mosquitoes are can see color. They tend to be attracted to people who are wearing dark colors, like shads of black, navy blue and red.

Oh and all that money you have been spending on those fancy carbon dioxide mosquito traps. Don't bother. They are worthless? When you consider that the cost is a few hundred bucks and emit carbon dioxide to lure mosquitoes into the trap, only killing a small portion of them actually make it in the trap.

Not to mention, studies that say mosquitoes also have a preference for artificially scented bodies, from perfumes and colognes, true, but they prefer smelly feet. Yes, your stinking digits are a mosquito's dream. (In case you weren't aware, the bacteria in Limburger cheese is also found on the human foot - and mosquitoes love it.)

Now, if you want to avoid the actual bite, you need to wear one of the four Centers for Disease Control-approved repellents - DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR-3535, which is in Avon’s Skin-so-Soft lotion. Sprays and lotions containing these have all been deemed effective and safe to keep mosquitoes away.