9 of the biggest myths about mosquitoes, debunked

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There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to controlling mosquitoes.

Despite what you may have heard, the food you eat won't affect your chances of being bitten, and neither will buying a bunch of citronella candles.

To help you separate fact from fiction, we spoke to Dr. Stan Cope, president of the American Mosquito Control Association and the director of entomology and regular services at Terminix.

From what types of repellents actually work to why the bloodsuckers bite you in the first place, here's the scoop on mosquitoes.

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People often say that eating foods with garlic or high percentages of Vitamin B can help lower your chances of being bit, but Cope says there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

In reality, how attracted a mosquito is to you can depend on factors like how much carbon dioxide you omit or how quick your metabolism is.

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According to Cope, there is no scientific evidence to show that citronella candles actually repel mosquitoes. Any repelling is typically coming from the smoke they produce, but once you have any wind, you easily lose protection. 

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Plants will not repel simply by growing or being planted in the yard, but they will create more places for mosquitoes to rest, since the insects are attracted to cool, dark, and moist areas.

Some plants contain essential oils that do repel insects, but you need to crush or burn them for the repelling to work.