Mosquitoes are one of the biggest annoyances of the summer. But there are easy steps you can take to help make the insects buzz off.

The first layer of protection is using a repellent containing the chemical Deet.

"To be effective against mosquitoes we really need to have a product that contains Deet and we would prefer for that to be under ten percent," says pediatrician Avril Beckford.

A ten percent concentration may ward off insects for about two hours.

But Beckford warns products with Deet should never be used on infants.

"Babies under two months of age have such a sensitive skin and the absorption is much greater," she says.

Doctor Beckford does not recommend products that combine Deet with sunscreen, because if a child swims or is sweating excessively parents may inadvertently be reapplying the Deet too often.

Also, insect repellents should never be applied to cuts or irritated skin.

Once you've come inside, it's important to wash the Deet off and be sure that it's not left on for prolonged periods of time.

There are also some non-chemical things you can do to help you avoid becoming a mosquito magnet, including changing your diet.

Eating a lot of yogurt or other dairy products causes your body to release lactic acid or other acidic chemicals - and this attracts mosquitoes.

So it may be beneficial to avoid dairy in large quantities.

Cholesterol or other fatty substances on the skin such as lotions will also attract the pests.

But there are some food items that are known to repel mosquitoes -- particularly garlic.

"Because of the bad smell that will repel mosquito, you will not get bitten by the mosquitoes," explains microbiologist Dr Muhammad Morshed.

Your location could also impact the number of mosquitoes.

The insects are more prevalent around water, so take extra precautions near lakes, creeks and even pools to avoid getting bitten.

Because you're not only trying to avoid those annoying bites, you'll also be protected against more serious mosquito borne disease -- like the West Nile virus.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Dr. Rhonda Low.