Life Kit — Tools to help you get it together.

This newsletter is brought to you by Life Kit digital editor Malaka Gharib

On the Fourth of July, I told my guests at our backyard barbecue that I would be in charge of applying everyone's bug spray.

I had just finished writing a quiz on mosquito bite prevention for Life Kit, and learned some surprising tactics, including the most effective way to apply insect repellent.

I noticed that many of my friends were only spraying their arms and legs. That didn't jive with what entomologist Sammy Ramsey told us in our podcast episode on the subject. For hours of effective relief, he said to spray in a "sweeping motion" all over your body, including your clothes and skin.

My guests were also spritzing a modest amount. The idea is to put on enough bug spray to "camouflage your chemical scent so you don't actually smell like a human to mosquitoes," he says. “And if they can’t smell you, they can’t locate you.”

So I took over as the official bug sprayer of the barbecue. Thanks to the tips from the podcast, our guests were able to enjoy being in the backyard for a longer amount of time without getting eaten alive.

Do you know how to avoid mosquito bites? Take our quiz

Beck Harlan/NPR

More surprising 🦟 insights from our episode

Mosquitoes can bite through fabric. Some species can bite through thin, tight-fitting athletic clothes, says Brian Byrd, a professor of environmental health sciences at Western Carolina University. So opt for loose-fitting clothes, and cover your skin as much as possible. “That’s a tough ask in the middle of summer, but it can add some level of protection against the bites.”

Mosquitoes tend to bite more at dawn and dusk. While mosquito activity will vary by species and location, mosquitoes are generally most active around sunrise and sunset, possibly because light and temperature conditions are most ideal then. However, a recent study showed the global increase in artificial light at night has caused a large increase in biting in certain mosquito populations. Ouch!

Essential oils, citronella candles and stick-on patches aren't doing what you think they're doing. None of these products uses ingredients that have strong data showing they protect against mosquitoes, Byrd says.

Opt for products that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and the synthetic repellent IR3535.

Listen to the podcast episode

Newsletter continues after sponsor message

🌞 Summer safety tips from Life Kit

Klaus Kremmerz for NPR

Going on a road trip? Here are 10 highway do's and don'ts that might just save your life. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the U.S. A highway patrol officer explains how drivers should handle emergency scenarios, from extreme weather to aggressive tailgaters. Read the story here.

It's tick season. Here's how to protect yourself. More than 31 million people in the United States get bitten by ticks each year, and some of those ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this episode of Life Kit, we cover where you might encounter ticks this summer, how to protect yourself against them and what to do if you get bitten. Listen to the episode here.

Planning to be outside on a hot and humid day? Take these precautions. People spend a lot of time outside during hot and humid weather. Whether you're going to the beach or working your shift as a lifeguard, try these 7 proven ways to stay cool while outside. Read the story here.

From our archives: For a happier and more restful weekend, try this easy trick

Morgan Walker for NPR

Many of us use Saturday and Sunday to catch up on work, chores and sleep. But there's a reason you may want to actually relax and have fun on the weekend.

One 2020 study found that those who treated the weekend like a mini-vacation were happier on Monday, says Cassie Mogilner Holmes, professor of marketing and behavioral decision-making at UCLA's Anderson School of Management and a researcher on the study.

Study participants who adopted this mindset "stayed in bed a little longer cuddling with their special someone, spent a little more time eating, spent less time on housework, and were more connected to the present moment," Mogilner Holmes says.

Read our story for tips on how to meaningfully enjoy your time away from work.

Read the story here

In case you missed it

Beck Harlan/NPR

Got something you want to share with Life Kit? Email us at lifekit@npr.org. These letters from our listeners and readers have been edited for length and clarity.

Good ideas to try when your flight is canceled

Thanks for your article on avoiding travel delays. I learned several new strategies, particularly using lounge agents to rebook, even if that requires buying a one-day lounge pass.

I also liked the idea of remembering to use credit card travel insurance. I recently received over $1,200 from Chase when my wife and I missed part of a trip due to illness. This trip was at a resort and didn’t involve a flight, and I had no other travel insurance. It did take multiple emails, telephone calls and documentation, but it paid off. —Don Mott

A clever way to keep your home cool

I enjoyed reading "5 simple (and cheap) things to make your house use less energy." My husband and I used a box fan (very inexpensive!) to cool our un-air conditioned home in the early years of our marriage.

We took the cross ventilation idea and beefed it up by placing a box fan in one window to pull air through the house. The key is to set the fan to blow the air OUT, not in! The action of the fan works remarkably well.

This may seem obvious, but I have seen many people use the fan to blow air in, the reverse of what is actually effective. —Judith Krause

In case you missed it

Dajah Callen for NPR

How to crave movement more than screen time. Oftentimes, it's easier to scroll through our phones than do some squats. So what can we do to motivate ourselves to pick movement? In this episode of Life Kit, we speak with clinical psychologist Diana Hill and movement specialist Katy Bowman about how to retrain your brain to crave physical activity more than your phone. Listen to the episode here.

A beginner's guide to grilling: How to start a fire, adjust your heat and more. Intimidated by grilling? Cooking over an open flame can do that! In this guide, learn the basics from which type of grill to choose, to how to maintain a fire and create different temperature zones, to tips on tools and safety. Read the story here.

COMIC: How to intervene when someone is harassed or attacked. What would you do if you saw someone being harassed on the bus or attacked in broad daylight? Most of us would like to think we know how we'd respond, but intervening in dangerous situations is easier said than done. Here's how to step in.

Beyond roommates: What it's like to live in a communal household. People who live in communes, group houses and intentional communities explain how their living arrangements work — and offer questions to ask yourself if you're curious about the lifestyle. Read the story here.

Stream your local NPR station.

Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream.

What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org

Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here.

Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more!

You received this message because you're subscribed to Life Kit emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002

Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy