How to avoid mosquito bites using OFF insect repellent

Sponsored by SC Johnson

Working 20+ years in a park taught me some very valuable lessons about being outside. Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons was how to avoid mosquito bites using OFF!® insect repellent.

For me personally, this could quickly determine the difference between a great day outdoors and coming home miserable and covered in bites. Here is some friendly advice from a Park Ranger about insects, insect repellents, and their use. How to avoid mosquito bites using OFF insect repellent

When do mosquitoes come out

The quick answer is mosquitoes prefer temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit and go into hibernation at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I can, however, attest that each spring when the temperatures start to rise and people start heading to the parks, I begin to have visitors come up to me asking for one thing.

No, this is not a joke about picnic baskets but people coming up to me willing to pay just about anything for some insect repellent! Those pesky mosquitoes, flies, ticks, chiggers, gnats and no-see-ums have also come out, ready to find their next victim.

My best answer for this is to plan ahead because almost every other park visitor is also out looking for insect repellent. The little shops next to the park know this and can charge you just about anything and oftentimes run out so make sure to plan ahead. I tell people all the time that Walmart carries a great selection of OFF!® Insect Repellents and can typically be found traveling to many parks nationwide.

Everglades National Park, Flamingo visitor center has a Flamingo Mosquito Meter and anyone who has been here in the summer can attest to Hysterical

When do ticks come out

Ticks can be out anytime the temperature is above freezing. They are however the most ACTIVE in the spring between March-May and again in the fall between August and November. This is important to know because this is when many people love spending time outdoors.

A big part is the fact that the temperatures are much more comfortable than the extremes of winter and summer. OFF!® insect repellent is a great defense against ticks as well as mosquitoes.

Reflection Lakes Area of Mount Rainier National Park. Mosquitoes love standing water and can be unbearable on a day with no wind

Insect-Borne Diseases

Insect repellent, also commonly known as "bug spray" and "mosquito spray" is applied to skin, discouraging insects from landing or climbing on you. It is extremely important to apply insect repellent when spending time outdoors and/or traveling abroad as many insects carry diseases and can cause irritating scores. Diseases you could catch include:

West Nile Virus (mosquitoes)
Lyme Disease (Ticks)
Zika Virus (Mosquitoes)
Dengue Fever (Mosquitoes)

How to apply Deet Insect Repellent

- Always apply according to the labels Directions for Use.
- Apply insect repellent in a slow sweeping motion to ensure you cover all exposed areas of skin.
- Do not spray directly on the face, spray onto the palm of your hand and dab onto your face sparingly making sure to avoid the eyes, mouth, and ears.
- Apply as needed.
- Always wash hands off after applying. It is also important to make sure not to touch food, drink, gum, tobacco products or go to the restroom before thoroughly washing your hands first.
- Do not apply to cuts, wounds, irritated skin or sunburns
- Try using a product with Permethrin on clothing, backpacks, bandanas, hats, tents and camp chairs for additional protection.
- Tucking your pants into socks can look silly but can also limit the amount of exposed skin during heavy swarms of insects
- If you are in an area with a heavy concentration of mosquitoes you will need a headnet, bug jacket, and pants. Let's face it if it's that bad, it may be time to consider other options.
Park Ranger John Pro Tip: I recommend people should also wear a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt and pants as this will give you protection from insects and sunburn

Types of OFF insect repellents that I use
- OFF!® Deep Woods® Sportsmen Insect Repellent: Lasts up to 6 hours against mosquitoes with 30% Deet and is the go-to for many outdoor enthusiasts including people going camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting.
- OFF!® Active® Insect Repellent: Lasts up to 5 hours against mosquitoes and is a great alternative when you are going to be doing a strenuous activity like a hike with serious elevation gain. Did you know that mosquitoes are attracted to lactic acid, a chemical found in sweat? OFF!® Active® Insect Repellent provides sweat resistant protection to keep those biting insects away.
Now you should be set to go outdoors and keep those biting insects at bay. Make sure to check out my other articles in outdoor life that could be useful for planning a great day outdoors!