Overview
- Reports on Saturday said mosquito activity is currently high in parts of Germany as summer advances and can persist into early autumn after mild winters.
- Researchers note mosquitoes are drawn to exhaled carbon dioxide and body odors such as sweat, which explains why some people attract more bites than others.
- Simple home measures offer big gains: install insect screens, remove standing water from plant saucers and buckets, use bed nets, and run fans to keep mosquitoes away from living spaces.
- Consumer tests and experts show chemical repellents work best for skin protection: DEET gives the longest single-application protection but may irritate mucous membranes while Icaridin and EBAAP are generally gentler though shorter-acting.
- Stiftung Warentest’s 2025 tests ranked Anti Brumm top among sprays and found Autan Multi Insect effective among cheaper options, and all repellents should be reapplied after swimming or heavy sweating with sunscreen applied before repellent.