Mosquitoes can put a damper on summer fun and may carry diseases, including malaria and the West Nile virus. You may have heard that vitamin B-12 can make you less attractive to mosquitoes or that it can prevent illnesses carried by mosquitoes. While taking a vitamin seems an easy solution, unfortunately, the evidence does not support systemic treatments to prevent mosquito bites.
Vitamins and Mosquitos
While some individuals do appeal more to mosquitoes and experience more bites, adding vitamin B-12, B-1 or additional garlic to your diet will not affect whether you get bit by mosquitoes, nor do they have any repellent benefits. According to a 2002 study in the New England Journal of Medicine, no ingested compound will repel mosquitoes and other biting arthropods.
Effective Repellents
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that you choose an Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellent containing N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, commonly known as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus to repel mosquitoes. You can also spray a permethrin repellent on clothing, but not your skin. Reapply most low-concentration repellents every 90 minutes to two hours, or opt for a time release or more concentrated formulation for longer protection. Use a low-concentration for children and avoid applying repellent to little hands.
Prevention
Smart prevention strategies can also reduce your risk of mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and long pants when possible. Mosquitoes are most active from dawn to dusk, so you may wish to stay indoors during those hours. Drain standing water to eliminate breeding grounds. Repair or replace window screens or tent screens and consider taking a screen room along on camping trips to relax in during the evening and early morning hours.
Warning
Mosquito bites are more than just an itchy irritation. In some parts of the world, malaria poses a substantial risk. If you're traveling to a country where malaria is endemic, take appropriate preventive precautions and speak to your health care provider about anti-malaria drugs appropriate for your destination. West Nile virus is spread when mosquitoes bite infected birds, then bite a human. Preventative measures are the only option to reduce your risk of West Nile virus.
References
- The Chart; Can Vitamin B12 Prevent Mosquito Transmitted Diseases; Sanjay Gupta M.D.; July 21, 2010
- American Mosquito Control Association: FAQ
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; Comparative Efficacy of Insect Repellents against Mosquito Bites; Mark S. Fradin, John F. Day; 2002
- Centers for Disease Control: West Nile Virus
- Centers for Disease Control: Malaria FAQ
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