Till now, throwing on a scarf in the middle of the summer meant you were (a) trying to cover up a hickey (b) attempting to disguise a middle-aged neck, or (c) just plain stupid.

But thanks to Demeter Fragrances, we now have the “Bug Repellent Scarf,” a sleek kerchief imbued with a synergistic blend of natural oils that, purportedly, pesty little mites don’t like.

That’s right. Armed with the realization that?like your 20-year-old boyfriend?mosquitoes simply like to suck neck,Demeter’s Christopher Brosius designed the Bug Scarf, a 7-foot-by-3-foot silk chiffon or satin organza accessory that is sure to send those annoying airborne pests fleeing to your neighbor’s side of the fence. Scented with natural insect-repelling oils, like marigold, citronella, lemongrass, and lavender, the scarves can be worn around the neck, wrapped around the head, draped over strollers, slung across hammocks, used to shield bare ankles, or placed anywhere else creative you can think of.

The ingeniuous creations come pre-made in white and pink. Custom colors are also available.

If, that is, you think a creamy shade of puce might be more off-putting to such vermin.