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What To Eat To Get Mosquitoes To Bite You Less?

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Mosquitoes are insects that make for annoying and irritating company during outdoor recreational activities or when one just needs some peace of mind at home. Their bites can cause a lot of itching, irritation, and they can even be the vector that transmits diseases. Although there are a large number of repellents and commercial solutions that have the capability to prevent these bites, it has been proven that certain foods can also work as factors that diminish the attraction of mosquitoes and stop the bites from happening. In this article, we take a closer look at the various foods and dietary strategies that can help you to minimize your exposure to pesky mosquitoes.

How Can Food Help in Mosquitoes To Bite You Less?

A range of foods can help with the problem of excessive bites. Let me just put a name, and it will be a detailed description. You can continue. The consumption of garlic, for example, can act as a natural mosquito repellent since the strong odor of garlic is well known to these flying insects and repels them. There are also foods rich in vitamin B1 that can help in preventing mosquito bites like whole grains, and nuts. Other than that, you can use vitamin B1 that generates the smell that the mosquito hates, and according to that, he won’t bite you. Also, being on a diet full of omega-3 fatty acids sources, such as fish and nuts, will make it difficult for mosquitoes to feast on your skin. Through making the right food choices, you can in fact make it very hard for the mosquitoes to find you and ultimately give up the idea of biting you.

What To Eat To Get Mosquitoes To Bite You Less?

1. Garlic: the power of garlic.

Garlic

Garlic not only has a strong odor and therefore as seasoning but it is also a highly volatile and potent mosquito repellent when consumed. This kind of natural repellent is the result of the compounds released by the epidermis and sulfur compounds excreted through sweat while digesting garlic. Besides, the emanation of the odor not tolerable to mosquitoes may have the effect of keeping the insects at bay. You can cook them with your meals or take them in the form of supplements to ger the repellant properties of the food.

2. Onion: an alternative to garlic.

Onion

Just like garlic, onion has similar compounds which upon consumption are eluted through the skin and act as a mosquito repellent naturally. Besides, onion is a great source of quercetin, an antioxidant which is capable of defending against mosquito bites.

3. Apple cider vinegar: an effective solution.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has long been recognized for its such numerous medicinal and health applications. Not mutually exclusive with them is the fact that it can prevent mosquitoes from biting you. By mixing a small amount of apple cider vinegar with water and consuming it, not just can you keep mosquitoes out of your body, but also applying a diluted solution can be beneficial.

4. Citrus fruits: a refreshing option.

orange

Citrus fruits include such fruits as orange, lemon, and lime that contain phyto-molecules as well as vitamin C. These are natural insecticides that repel mosquito bugs. In the meantime, they have been reported to reduce by 50% the attacks of some insects when naturally taken alongside their delicious flavor and nutritional qualities.

5. Bananas: rich in vitamin B6.

Banana

Bananas are a very rich source of vitamin B6 which is also called by its other name pyridoxine. A few reports have proposed that vitamin B6 might help in reducing the number of mosquitoes that approach the regular consumers of it. You can include them in your smoothies, fruit salads or just enjoy them as they are a tasty snack.

6. Hot peppers: a hot option.

Chillies

Hot peppers such as chili or jalapeño contain capsaicin that gives them the characteristic hot taste. This compound, in addition to the spiciness, can act as a mosquito repellent of natural origin if taken daily.

It is to be noted though that some people may find spices to be very strong, thus, it is important to regulate your consumption if you are not accustomed to such foods.

7. Neem oil: a botanical solution.

Neem Oil

Neem Oil is from the neem tree, part of which grows in India. It has normally generated insecticide which can be the best natural mosquito repellent available to humans. If you mix a few drops of neem oil with your meals or use it with a carrier oil on your skin, then that would be perfect.

8. Basil: an aromatic herb with repellent properties.

Basil

Basil is one of the well-liked and multipurpose herbs in nature that has the added benefit of its traditional use as a mosquito repellent. You can eat it fresh in salads, sauces or infusions, or you can even put its essential oil on the skin for further protection.

9. Ginger: an ally with antioxidant powers.

Ginger is famous for its generally antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Some of the conducted research experiments have indicated that ginger can become an everyday consumption method to lead to a reduction in the attraction and bites of mosquitoes. You are free to add ginger in your meal, drink ginger tea, or take ginger supplements to maximize the studied benefits.

10. Bay leaves: a natural repellent.

Bay leaves contain components of essential oils, which act as mosquito repellents. These dried bay leaves you can use while preparing food or boil them in water to get an infusion that will chase away mosquitoes.

11. Coconut oil: a protective barrier.

Among its other uses and good effects on the skin, coconut oil also has the property of forming a skin barrier. Coconut oil is a good natural protector of the skin. You can apply it directly to the exposed skin before going out for protection against natural unwanted guests.

12. Water: the importance of staying hydrated.

Although it is not a food, staying hydrated is essential for overall health and can also help reduce the attraction of mosquitoes. When you’re well hydrated, your skin tends to release less carbon dioxide, making you less attractive to mosquitoes.

13. Avoiding certain foods.

Instead of a number of foods, besides selecting some items it is also equally significant to avoid specific other foods that can be attractive for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide exhaled from your breath, so consuming alcoholic beverages and foods rich in sugar can increase CO2 production in the body and make mosquitoes more attracted to you. The lactic acid present in fermented foods, such as yogurt, has also been shown to be a mosquito’s delight.

Frequently Asked Questions.

1. What food stops mosquitoes biting?

Citronella is a food ingredient that is commonly used as an insect repellent, including against mosquitoes.

2. Is there anything I can eat to repel mosquitoes?

Yes, certain foods such as garlic, citrus fruits, and chili peppers may help repel mosquitoes to some extent when consumed. However, their effectiveness may vary, and using mosquito repellent and taking other preventive measures is generally more reliable in avoiding mosquito bites.

3. What can I take to stop mosquitoes from biting me?

Use of insect repellents that contain DEET or picaridin, wearing long sleeves and pants, application of mosquito nets or screens, or avoiding areas with standing water to prevent mosquito bites are all viable measures.

Bottom Line.

Though there is the perception of foods acting as a natural mosquito repellent, honestly, the available evidence emerged as the proof of the opposite. The scientific investigations are, by and large, inadequate to confirm that any specific food or supplement can actually reduce the effects of mosquito bites. The reminder to be taken home is that people’s skin allergic reactions to mosquito bites are very different, and factors, such as body chemistry, genetic differences, and the personal attraction to mosquitoes, are the determining factors in who get bitten.
Veritably, depending on food as a sole resource is not the right choice and might lead to the outbreak of the diseases known to last for a long period. Rather, always the best solution is attempting to decrease the levels of such diseases in various ways such as wearing insect repellents, protective clothes, and also aiming to remove where some disease-carrying agents breed. The basic idea is that no single method can provide absolute protection, but if one combines, say, watching out for the places prone to mosquito breeding, then it becomes possible to successfully avoid such kind of disease.

How we reviewed this article:

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Our team of experts is always monitoring the health and wellness field, ensuring that our articles are updated promptly as new information emerges. See Our Editorial Process

Current Version
Jul 6, 2025

Written By: Danielle Pashko

Reviewed By: Kim Ross

Feb 18, 2024

Written By: Danielle Pashko

Reviewed By: Kim Ross

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Evidence Based

This content is based on scientific research and written by experts.

Our team of licensed health professionals, nutritionists and fitness experts endeavor to be unbiased, objective, honest and to present each sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses (1,2,3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific researches.