DIY Lavender Repellent

Keep the bites at bay at nighttime with a natural repellent you can make yourself. You only need 3 things to make this DIY lavender mosquito repellent [3]: a spray bottle, lavender essential oil, and distilled water.

Mosquito Repellent Cordless Lantern

Included in our essential camping gear [4] roundup, the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Outdoor Cordless Lantern [5] (£40) provides a battery-operated "Zone of Protection" that silently repels mosquitoes and other flying, biting insects.

Insect Repelling Superband

Wrists aren't just for decorative bracelets in Summer — they're also the place for an Insect Repelling Superband [6] (£4 for 4-pack). There are bands from different companies, but I can personally vouch for the Superband, having used it for my last 5 trips to Cyprus — my daughter has never been bitten, and I've only suffered one bite (having been covered in them on previous, Superband-less holidays to Greece). My Superband-less SO got bitten to bits.

It contains geraniol, lemongrass, and citronella oils, is non-toxic, DEET-free, and waterproof, and lasts up to 200 hours. For children over three.

DIY Bug-Repellent Candle

Citronella essential oil is the bug-repelling wonder product in these DIY bug-repellent candle jars [7], perfect for keeping your garden bug-free. Toss in to a jar lemon and orange peels and the ends of fresh herbs like rosemary and lavender (all of which bugs don't like), add citronella essential oil, top with hot water, and finish with a floating citronella-scented candle.

All-Natural Insect Repellent

This all-natural insect repellent [8] will deter mosquitoes, ants, and other unwelcome visitors. It contains catnip, witch hazel, pure vanilla extract, and an essential oil like citronella, lavender, lemongrass, or rosemary.

Cover Up

If you don't like using sprays or bands, then you can do other things to decrease your chances of getting bitten, like covering up [9] in light layers and footwear that completely covers your feet.

Wear White

On the clothing theme, you could also wear light colours [10] to lessen your attractiveness to mosquitoes, as they're attracted to dark colours.

Mosquito-Repelling Perfume

Researchers at New Mexico State University found that a particular perfume [11] repelled mosquitoes for up to two hours — specifically Victoria's Secret Bombshell EDP [12] (£37). The yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito particularly avoided the scent. Bear in mind that the study used high concentrations. The scent of lavender also works . . .

Mosquito-Repelling Plants

Lavender is one of 12 plants that repel mosquitoes [13] and it makes a great perfume. You can also plant it in your garden to help keep your outside space bug-free. Other plants that deter mosquitoes include basil, catnip, lemon balm, and peppermint, to name but a few.

Vicks VapoRub

Mothers often know best, so it's no wonder they can dish out tips for a surprising treatment to cure mosquito bites [14], like the humble Vicks VapoRub [15] (£4). The menthol, camphor, and thymol can stop the itching by creating a cooling sensation. The anti-inflammatory, redness-reducing properties of nutmeg oil can flatten the bites. The cedarleaf oil acts as a repellent.

Clear Nail Polish

To stop that incessant itching sensation, you need to stop the bite reacting with air, and what better way to do that than with a dab of clear nail polish [16]? Surprising, but true. Other ways to block the air flow include sticky tape, a plaster, or a spray plaster, but varnish is one of the best — just make sure you don't apply it to broken skin.

Warm Spoon

Another way to soothe the itching once you've been bitten is with a spoon — yes, really! This summer hack [17] involves warming it under hot water and then holding it over the bite to let the heat destroy the itch-causing protein.