Remove Standing Water
Standing water is where mosquitoes make more mosquitoes. Limit the insects' ability to breed by clearing your gutters of clogs, filling in sunken parts of your lawn, removing tarps or debris where water may collect, and regularly changing the water in your birdbath or kiddie pool.
Spray On Garlic
Yes, really. Garlic makes an effective natural mosquito repellant. Mix one part garlic juice with five parts water, put the solution in a spray bottle, and spritz yourself as needed. As a side benefit, you will also repel vampires!
Try Out Catnip Oil
Believe it or not, the essential oil in catnip, nepetalactone, repels mosquitoes more effectively than DEET. Although you may have to dodge your neighbor's cat as a result, catnip oil-based insect repellant does a good job of protecting exposed skin.
Build a Bat House
In only one hour, a bat can eat hundreds of insects, mosquitoes included. Build or buy a bat house, hang it in a well-ventilated area, and let those web-winged creatures do their thing.
Throw Herbs on the Barbie
Because the essential oils in many herbs are natural insecticides, you can throw a bundle of rosemary or sage on the coals while you're barbecuing in order to keep backyard mosquitoes at bay.
Use Natural Insect Spray
Made with five natural essential oils, Herbal Armor was voted "Best Gear of the Year" by National Geographic. Before heading outside, grab a bottle of this popular DEET-free insect repellant spray; reapply every two hours.
Turn On a Fan
Mosquitoes are lightweights. A fan blowing at a speed of two miles per hour is simply overpowering to a mosquito. So try strategically placing fans around your deck or patio to get a good bug-free breeze going.
Plant Lemongrass
Thai lemongrass contains citronella oil, the strong scent of which makes it hard for mosquitoes to find you. At the same time, lemongrass is a beautiful mounding perennial. Plant some on your property wherever your family and friends like to congregate.
Change Your Light Bulbs
Mosquitoes aren’t attracted to all kinds of light—just some. Instead of standard bulbs, opt for LEDs, yellow bug lights, or sodium lamps. This light switch should reduce the number of mosquitoes swarming around the entrances to your house during evening hours.
Dress Appropriately
Certain species of mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors like black, blue, and red—and they are all attracted to heat. So stay cool (and less appealing) by wearing lighter colors. While you're at it, try to avoid wearing scented perfumes or lotions.
Reclaim Your Backyard
Be ready to banish these pesky summer bugs and put these ideas into action.
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