There will soon be a familiar buzz in the air as mosquito season returns to the North.

While swarms of the bloodthirsty bugs, itchy bites and spray-on repellents are all part of venturing outdoors during the summer, there are a few simple steps you can take to help protect yourself.

SA国际影视传媒淟ots of people don't notice mosquitoes until the summertime when the nuisance variety comes out and they're (stronger) biters,SA国际影视传媒� Winnipeg entomologist Taz Stuart told Yellowknifer.

That's when people SA国际影视传媒渟ee them and feel them.SA国际影视传媒�

Personal protection measures are key.

For Stuart, that means spraying on DEET as the label instructs and reapplying it after jumping into the water for a swim.

SA国际影视传媒淢ake sure it's on you all over," he said. "Miss a spot, and that mosquito will find that spot.SA国际影视传媒�

He also encourages the wearing of light-coloured clothes with long pants and sleeves. Mosquitoes on the hunt are attracted to dark clothing, exhaled carbon dioxide, warmth and body odor.

Consequently, female mosquitoes SA国际影视传媒� the ones that bite SA国际影视传媒� tend to be more attracted to people who are active.

They're also SA国际影视传媒減icky,SA国际影视传媒� explained Stuart, meaning they bite some people more than others.

A number of factors including blood type, metabolism, exercise, shirt color and even drinking beer can make individuals especially delicious to mosquitoes.

SA国际影视传媒淚t could be a cologne," he said. "Maybe you smell better than the other person. Or, if you have a lot of body odour, maybe you're the favourite target.SA国际影视传媒�

When it comes to the weather mosquitoes are just like us, said Stuart. When it's hot, they'll take cover under the shade of trees, decks and leaves until a more suitable time like dawn or dusk arrives. If it's a cooler day and you're spending some time in the backyard, SA国际影视传媒渢hat's where they're going to find you."

Campers can discourage the bugs by wearing permethrin-treated clothing, which is also an important tick prevention tool.

To control their population, it's best to eliminate the standing water where mosquitoes live and breed. That means emptying water from flower pots, buckets, old tires and any place rain water collects.

The best strategy is to SA国际影视传媒渄ump it, drain it, spill it, cover it or treat it,SA国际影视传媒� said Stuart. SA国际影视传媒淣o water equals no mosquitoes.SA国际影视传媒�

There are many mosquito myths floating around that won't save you from getting bit, said Stuart.

Some people claim that eating bananas might repel mosquitoes, but that is untrue, he said.

Others believe that mosquitoes can be scared off by placing a dryer sheet under your hat but, SA国际影视传媒淭here's no rhyme or reason to that,SA国际影视传媒� said Stuart. SA国际影视传媒淒on't do it.SA国际影视传媒�