Gin and tonic has been beforehand advisable as a mosquito repellent due to the quinine in tonic water.

Considered a potent deterrent, some have argued that tonic may assist maintain the bloodsuckers away.

If an idyllic summer season night with a obligatory G&T sounds too good to be true, that’s as a result of it's, in line with chunk prevention knowledgeable Howard Carter.

Carter stated: "Quinine will not be a repellent, so the quinine in gin and tonic will not be a repellent. 

“It does offer a certain amount of protection against malaria. 

“However, there are so much better anti-malarials now, people should not even think about using gin and tonic to repel mosquitoes or to help protect against contracting malaria.”

While quinine gained’t maintain the annoying bugs away, the alcohol in your G&T could worryingly lure them in.

“Ingesting alcohol can often increase your attractiveness to mosquitoes and other insects,” Carter added.

Don’t just take the expert’s word for it, as research, published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, also warns that alcohol consumption “significantly” increases mosquito attraction.

Looking at 12 men and one woman between the ages of 20 and 58, the research team measured alcohol content in the sweat of participants who enjoyed a 350-millilitre beer.

The scientists also looked at the sweat production and the skin temperature of the volunteers before and after the alcoholic drink.

Unfortunately for alfresco drink lovers, the findings showed that those who drank the beer had a higher percentage of mosquito landings.

“This study shows that persons drinking alcohol should be careful about their increased risk to mosquito bites and therefore exposure to mosquito-borne diseases,” the researchers concluded.

Although G&T won’t deter the pesky insects, Carter recommended an approach that should see your risk of bites fall.

The expert said: "Try my CLOAK methodology for efficient bite prevention, at house in addition to overseas.”

Carter advisable the next steps for preserving mosquitoes away:

• C – Cover up legs and arms with appropriate clothes
• L – Light colored garments are strongly advisable as a result of mosquitoes are interested in darkish ones
• O – Odours, bodily or scented washing merchandise and perfumes are robust attractants. So, wash ideally with citronella soaps, shampoo and bathe gels or non-fragrant ones
• A – Apply an efficient, ideally pure, insect repellent. You ought to search for DEET and PMD
• Okay – Keep away from stagnant water and different mosquito dense areas if attainable.