How to Protect Against Insect Bites When Working Outdoors

Working outdoors allows you to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, but it often comes at the cost of insect bites. Depending on the specific type of outdoor environment in which you work, you may be exposed to mosquitoes, bees, ticks, ants and other insects. 

While most insect bites only cause minor pain and discomfort, they have the potential to trigger allergy attacks in certain individuals. Whether you're allergic to them or not, though, you should take precautions to defend against insect bites when working outdoors.

Eliminate Standing Water

You can protect yourself from mosquito and other water-borne insect bites by eliminating standing water around your outdoor workspace. Many insects thrive in pools or bodies of water. Mosquitoes, for example, require water to reproduce. They lay their eggs on the surface of the water, allowing them to rapidly reproduce.

Cover Your Skin

An easy way to protect against insect bites when working outdoors is to cover your skin. Most insects can't bite through clothing. Even it's a thin cotton shirt, insects shouldn't be able to bite through it. They can, however, bite directly through your skin. Therefore, you should consider your skin with clothing.

Wear Insect Repellent

There are spray-on products available to protect against insect bites. Known as insect repellent, it's highly effective at keeping insects at bay. Some insect repellent sprays contain oils, whereas others contain chemicals. Regardless, they are all designed to ward off insects. Upon smelling the scent of an insect repellent spray, insects will head in the opposite direction.

Wear Gloves

Not surprisingly, most insect bites occur on the hands. When you work outdoors, you'll inevitably touch stuff like grass, branches, tools and machines, any of which may contain insects. Without gloves, insects may transfer onto your hands where they bite or sting you. All it takes to prevent insect bites on your hands, though, is a pair of gloves. You don't have to wear any special type of gloves. Just choose a basic pair of gloves that fully cover your hands and fingers.

Work During the Daylight

Another way to prevent insect bites is to work during the daylight. Why does this matter? Most human-biting insects are nocturnal, meaning they go at night to hunt for food. If you happen to be working outdoors at night, these insects may find their way onto your skin where they sting or bite you.