And don't wear perfume, cologne, or bright-colored clothes. In addition, you can use a repellent containing deet, the active ingredient in most brand name repellents, says Muller. Deet will help protect you from bites or stings by flies, gnats, chiggers, ticks, and mosquitoes. However, deet doesn't work against wasps or bees. Use a spray because they have the lowest effective concentration.
Sprays generally cost more than lotions.
Cover all exposed skin, but be careful to keep the repellent away from your eyes and mouth. In hot, humid weather, you may need to apply the repellent every two hours. Several people swear by home remedies, including vanilla, Muller says. The reason bug bites are so annoying is because flies, fleas, and mosquitoes actually sting their victims with a sharp stylus covered with saliva. Your reaction to a sting depends on your sensitivity to the insect's saliva.