Reader here once again, and this is my first week back on the job after enjoying a couple of weeks of vacation time.

For the most part, it was awesome to kick back and relax. But, there was one drawback.

One evening, my parents and I were sitting on the deck, enjoying a the cool breeze, throwing the tennis ball around with our dog, Lexi. And while we were out there, I didn’t bother throwing on any bug spray, as I figured that the breeze would keep the mosquitoes away. I was wrong…

As you can see, my left leg was absolutely devoured! My right leg had a few bites, particularly around the ankles, and my arms had the odd bite. But my left leg seemed to be the main course.

Here’s a close-up look.

My leg looked like a topographical map of an island range in the Pacific, but I assure you, those are all mosquito bites, and I won’t lie, I was scratching a lot, for some quick relief.

However, my Mom did give me a tip to provide some relief – hand sanitizer!

I rubbed the bites down with hand sanitizer, and the alcohol in it helped to soothe the sting big time. I’ll have to make sure I always have some on hand, in case the bugs strike again!

When I was a kid, my parents said I’d get bites, but not a crazy amount. I guess I’ve outgrown that, eh?

I looked into what makes us attractive to mosquitoes, and here’s what a little AI search turned up:

1. Body Odor: Certain compounds your skin produces attract mosquitoes. (Well, I shower regularly, so I shouldn’t be too stanky.)
2. Carbon Dioxide: Mosquitoes are drawn to the CO2 we exhale. (I do breathe, so that could have something to do with it.)
3. Heat and Sweat: Mosquitoes love warm, sweaty skin. (Okay… now, I think we’re getting somewhere. It had been super-hot, and I do sweat a lot!)
4. Blood Type: Some studies suggest mosquitoes prefer type O blood. (Another sign that I’m not the best at adulting. I used to know my blood type, but I’ve long since forgotten. I should get on that…)
5. Skin Microbes: The natural bacteria on your skin can affect your attractiveness. (Perhaps there’s something special that makes me the human equivalent to bacon for mosquitoes!)
6. Pregnancy: Pregnant women tend to get more bites due to increased CO2 and warmth. (Well, if nothing else, I can rule this out!)

So… how do we avoid being eaten alive by mosquitoes? Here’s a few tips…

1. Use Insect Repellent: Opt for DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
2. Wear Protective Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, and socks create barriers.
3. Stay Indoors During Peak Hours: Dawn and dusk are prime biting times. (It was early evening when I got chewed up – our house at the farm doesn’t have air conditioning, so were were enjoying the nice, cool, windy evening!)
4. Use Mosquito Nets: Perfect for sleeping or when spending time outdoors.
5. Eliminate Standing Water: Avoid mosquito breeding grounds by cleaning up pools of water. (That one was pretty easy. In May and June, we had more rain at home that we did over the past three years or so combined. But since then, we’ve had next to nothing!)
6. Install Screens: Keep windows and doors screened to keep mosquitoes out.
7. Use Fans: Mosquitoes are weak fliers and can’t stand up to a good breeze. (It was windy that night – we thought that would keep the bugs at bay. We thought wrong.)
8. Vary Your Routine: Mosquitoes remember their hosts and can track regular habits. (This, I didn’t know. Apparently, mosquitoes are the stalkers of the insect world!)

Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid becoming a meal for the mosquito swarms like I did!