Between sporting events, yard work, cookouts and recreation—spending time outdoors with family and friends can be an everyday occurrence during the warm weather months. Few things, however, can ruin an outdoor experience quite like a swarm of blood-thirsty mosquitoes. So, what are the best ways to keep the mosquitoes at bay? Here are seven helpful tips:

1. Empty or cover any receptacles around the house that can pool water so as to keep mosquitoes from breeding. Gutters should also be kept clean so water flows properly.

2. Change the water in your birdbaths every few days and cover wading pools, hot tubs and other sources of standing water.

3. Wear protective clothing.Long-sleeve shirts and long pants, as well as shoes and socks, will help keep insects from having contact with your skin.

4. Keep the color of your clothing light. Mosquitoes are more attracted to darker hues.

5. Use an outdoor fogger to establish a protective perimeter around your yard or campsite.

6. Light a citronella candle. Most people find the scent to be pleasant and it helps ward off mosquitoes.

7. Apply an effective insect repellent to your clothing and, especially, to any exposed areas of your skin.

While there are many types of insect repellents on the market today, one highly effective formula worth considering contains IR3535, a DEET-free alternative that has an excellent record of safety. The new insect repellent is safe for the entire family and just as effective as DEET. It provides up to eight hours of odorless protection against the most common biting insects, including mosquitoes, deer ticks and biting flies. Plus, it dries very quickly on the skin and does not leave the greasy residue often associated with DEET-based products.

Containing IR3535, the most widely used active ingredient in insect repellents throughout Europe, Coleman® SkinSmart™ DEET Free Insect Repellent is now available in the United States in a variety of user-friendly packages. These include a compact, Go Ready spray pen, a 5- ounce pump spray and a 6-ounce aerosol spray. The pens are great for busy, on-the-go consumers. Offering more than 200 sprays, they’re just slightly larger than a typical writing pen, so they’re an easy addition to any purse, diaper bag or pocket.

For more information and mosquito prevention tips, call (800) 558-6614 or visit Coleman Repellents online.

Photo Credit: WebMD.com (Bug Bite Slide Show)

Technically speaking, its chemical name is N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. But more practically speaking, it’s the stuff that keeps insects away, and it keeps them away extremely well.

When looking at DEET repellents, you’ll notice that they are available with varying percentage levels of DEET. A common misconception is that the higher the DEET percentage, the stronger the coverage. Not so. Whether you’re using 15%, 100% or something in between, all DEET repellents will give you the same great coverage when applied. The difference is in the longevity. Each percentage of DEET corresponds to how long the protection will last. For example, a 15% DEET will provide four hours of protection while a 100% DEET will provide ten hours of protection.  It’s best to avoid over application, so be sure to choose your DEET level based on what you have planned for outside. Also, as a rule of thumb, it is always best to use lower level DEET formulas on children and re-apply as needed.

Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted measuring the health effects of long-term and short-term human exposure to DEET with the results showing that there are no unreasonable adverse effects to people or the environment with the normal use of DEET products. Simply choose the appropriate percentage for your activity, follow the label instructions and you’ll be on your way to a safe, insect-free outing. Coleman® Repellents offers DEET based formulas in 15%, 25%, 40% and 100% concentrations to suit your needs. Our unscented, non-greasy formula repels mosquitoes that may carry West Nile virus, as well as biting flies, gnats, chiggers, ticks and fleas.