Many of us have wondered this at one point or another, and unfortunately, the answer is yes, mosquitoes bite through clothes. You might think you’re safe wearing leggings down to your ankles, high socks, and a long-sleeved shirt, but you still end up with mosquito bites. 

How Can a Mosquito Bite Through Clothes?

A mosquito’s proboscis is an intricate system of long, pointed tubes extending from its face in place of a mouth. This is the tool that a mosquito uses to pierce your skin, draw your blood, and exchange it with saliva and chemicals. 

Being extremely thin, a mosquito’s proboscis can reach your skin through many kinds of fabrics, including:

• Silk
• Cotton
• Linen
• Rayon
• Spandex
• and More
  

Mosquitoes can even bite through your jeans, but will usually choose not to try to breach denim in favor of an easier place to draw blood.

Mosquito Repellent Clothes

Some people believe that mosquitoes won’t be able to draw blood through leggings or yoga pants, but these kinds of materials actually make the mosquito’s job easier because of how close they are to the skin. The mosquito already has no trouble getting past the material, so although it’s not preferable to them, it’s almost as easy for them as drawing blood from exposed skin.

So what clothing works best to prevent mosquito bites? Here are three ways you can dress to make yourself less of a target:

1. Wear loose-fitting clothing. This technique allows the clothing to sit further away from your skin, giving the mosquito a smaller chance of finding an easy access point.
2. Choose tightly-woven fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, and corduroy. These may not be your top choice for summer clothes, but materials with very close weaves are a deterrent to mosquitoes, and they will likely try to bite you instead on any exposed skin they can find, or find someone else to feed on.
3. Apply insect repellent to your clothes. Products like DEET can be sprayed directly onto your clothing to ward off pests. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the label when using any kind of bug spray.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Me?

Are you part of that group of people that gets hounded by mosquitoes every year? Certain people are definitely “mosquito magnets” more than others, but experts still don’t understand all of the intricacies of mosquito attraction. 

Although it’s still hard to predict which person mosquitoes would rather bite based on research conducted up to this point, we do know how mosquitoes seek out their hosts. They are receptive to certain signals that humans give off:

1. Breath: Mosquitoes can sense an influx of carbon dioxide in the air when humans are nearby. The carbon dioxide that you exhale will tip off mosquitoes to your presence, especially if you are exercising or spending an extended amount of time near their breeding grounds.
2. Body Odor: People who perspire more are at a greater risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. Other odors such as strong floral perfumes can attract mosquitoes, too.
3. Temperature: A high internal body temperature gives off a stronger signal to mosquitoes. Wearing dark clothing that traps heat or getting exercise outside can both contribute to mosquito attraction.

How Can I Avoid Mosquito Bites?

Everyone would like to go through the spring and summer without any mosquito bites, but no one wants to stay inside! So, what are the best ways to get outside and avoid mosquito bites at the same time? Here are three ways you can reduce your exposure to mosquitoes in Central FL:

• Look out for stagnant water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in even the tiniest pools of standing water, and because their reproductive cycle is so fast, they are able to multiply at incredible rates while going undetected. Inspect your yard for pooling rainwater in your gutters, planter boxes, and anywhere else that could collect still water.
• Wear the right clothes. Because dark colors trap heat and increase your body temperature, wearing white and light-colored clothing is a reliable way to reduce your risk of mosquito bites. Wearing pants and long sleeves is the best way to avoid bites, but this can be a hard choice to make on hot summer days.
• Use bug repellent. EPA-approved bug sprays containing DEET or picaridin will protect you most reliably for the longest period of time. If you’re looking for an all-natural alternative, try lemon eucalyptus oil or citronella candles.

The Best Way to Repel Mosquitoes in Orlando

When you feel like you’ve tried everything and you’re still riddled with mosquito bites, it’s time to contact your local pest control company. An overwhelming amount of mosquitoes in the area could be your real problem, so a professional mosquito extermination specialist can come assess your yard to eliminate factors that could be attracting them, like standing water. 

Our team at Heron Home & Outdoor is committed to protecting our customers with calculated barrier treatments that protect your home for months at a time.

For a free quote or to ask any questions about how we conduct mosquito control, reach out to us today!