We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

As we enter these last days of summer (it goes into September, you know), new research will give the stressed some piece of mind -- their very source of irritation may be a protectant against mosquitoes.

You can blame your itchy skin all you want on the cooler weather, but your soap may be to blame. Try these five tips to heal your outermost layer.

Stuck in a diet rut? We've got 100 weight-loss tricks to try. One to do this afternoon? Have a V8 or tomato juice instead of that Diet Coke at 3 p.m.

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Want flatter abs for that Labor Day getaway? Check out our step-by-step flat-abs exercise guide.

And while you're thinking about summer beach getaways, you might want to think of protecting your skin. But if sunscreen slips your mind, check out these sunburn-soothing home remedies from the editors at AOL Health.

Plus, to defend against summer stings of a different kind, head to our mosquito-bite-relief guide. (Who knew just how handy toothpaste could be?)

A few months I ago, while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, I thought it would be fun to eat dinner on the beach. Well, it turns out that just about every mosquito on the island had a similar idea, leaving me with 53 bites on my right foot and ankle and 44 on my left foot and ankle (I was able to count them once the swelling went down). Needless to say, I've made sure to wear bug spray every time I've been outdoors at night since then.

Another way to avoid those pesky blood-hunters is to outsmart them, and by that I mean knowing what makes them tick. Their M.O. (mosquito operandi), if you will. Here's a look at what I've learned since being victimized (source: Maximum Fitness magazine):

• Mosquitoes are most active from sunset to sunrise;
• They are no more attracted to bright-colored clothing than dark-colored clothing;
• They also have no preference for perfumes or colognes;
• It's usually the female mosquito that does the most blood sucking;
• DEET, a compound developed during WWII, is the most effective chemical repellent (it is found in various potencies in many common bug repellent sprays)
• Non-chemical remedies include garlic, vitamin B, thiamine, and some "ultrasonic" devices
• If bitten, treat the affected area with soap and water and calamine lotion and avoid scratching

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When I was a kid, my family spent most of our summer at a cabin in the northern part of our state. Inevitably, one of my sisters and I would be covered in mosquito bites, while the rest of the family escaped that itchy fate. My mom used to say that my sister and I had "sweet blood." Turns out, she wasn't too far off base.

Among other factors, tiny little blood-suckers such as mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon dioxide and lactic acid we excrete. While we all release carbon dioxide and lactic acid larger people and pregnant women have higher amounts. You're also likely to have a higher level of lactic acid in your sweat just after exercising. High body temperature is also a beacon to mosquitoes. Floral scents (perfumes, etc.) may also be a draw as well as dark colored fabrics.

Kelly at Green Daily has some earth-friendly tips for fending off mosquitoes.

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It's that time of year again. The first 2008 case of West Nile virus has been reported. A Phoenix-area man in his 60s is said to have contracted the virus; he's been released from the hospital and is recovering.

As spring continues to spring forth around the country, mosquitoes will be out and about. Here's a quick refresher course on protecting yourself from contracting the West Nile virus:

• Use insect repellent when outdoors.
• Eliminate any areas of standing water (birdbaths, kid-sized pools, bases of flower pots, etc) around your home.
• Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
• Install window and door screens and repair any holes or loose spots in existing screens.

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When we checked into a campground last week for a week-long vacation, the owner told me, "You'll like it here, we don't have any bugs." I laughed out loud, because camping and mosquitoes go together like bread and butter, right? I was happily surprised to find out he was telling the truth; the sandy soil meant there was no standing water for mosquitoes to breed. With the exception of a stray fly or bee, the entire week was happily bug free.

After reading this, I'm grateful. The West Nile virus, which has been pretty quiet the last few seasons, has flared this year and this season looks to be as bad or worse than 2003, when West Nile sickened 2,866 people. Though the virus can be found anywhere, it seems to be the worst in central and western states, probably due to the species of mosquitoes that live there. In addition, irrigation water is popular with the bug, and farmers are exposed to bites during long days in the fields.

There have been 42 reported cases so far this year and whether the trend continues depends mostly on the weather. Hot weather helps the virus grow inside of the mosquitoes, and late summer and fall that are cool in temperature may slow the spread of the disease. The best way to prevent West Nile is to prevent mosquito bites. Take a look at these suggestions to keep yourself and your family safe.

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Spring and summer can bring out the critters, can't they? Mosquitoes, ticks, spiders and just about everything else "blooms" into action when the weather heats up, creating a nuisance.

What happens if a tick burrows into your skin (or even a pet's skin)? There are some specific precautions that need to be taken to safely remove that tick, as it's not just a "grab and pull" operation.

Want to know some specific tips on removing that tick should you find one on somebody? Sometimes, surgical precision is needed (among other things), so be sure and review this checklist. Commit it to memory as well, since you may just need to use it this season.

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One of my favourite things to use while cooking is fresh garlic. LOTS of fresh garlic. My fella would say perhaps too much garlic, but I wonder, is there any such thing? It's so fragrant and delicious. It's also good for you -- it's been known to manage acne and cholesterol, repel mosquitoes and even help with the common cold. Apparently it's also an antioxidant, and we all know that the more antioxidants you get the better. So, if you're not cooking with garlic, why not?

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This bit of news is just for fun: our brilliant American scientists are working on mosquitoes with glow-in-the-dark eyes to help us battle disease.

Yes, this is for real!

So the genetically engineered "glowing eyes" serve no purpose other than to help the scientists distinguish different "breeds" of mosquito (apparently creating a stripe on their backs or something wasn't an option) but overall the news is good -- it looks like a new genetically modified mosquito type might not only be resistant to carrying the parasite that causes malaria, but it's also hardier and has a higher survival rate than the "common" mosquito found in parts of Africa where malaria is the most prevalent. The thought seems to be that someday they will attempt disease control by introducing this new mosquito into the wild bug population, with the hope that it replaces the "old" mosquitoes and malaria infections drop.

So I see the thought process here, but something is wrong with this plan... (even if it does make them easier to swat in the dark).

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