Are mosquitos the uninvited guests at your summer barbeque? Whether it is an outdoor or an indoor party, mosquito bites can cause intense and swelling itching. Though these pests are small creatures and most of the reactions to bites are minor, they can cause nasty diseases like dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria, and many more.
Besides applying anti-itch creams, knowing some of the best ways to keep mosquitoes away is necessary.
You can purchase chemical-infested insect repellents just about anywhere, and these products will help keep your home mosquito-free. Still, they also can have negative effects not only on your health but also on the environment. Hopefully, those pesky mosquitos won't make it to your next outdoor event by using the following tips.
1. Use Plants in your Garden that Mosquitos Hate
Lemongrass
Peppermint
Lavender
Citronella
Geranium
Garlic
Rosemary
Basil
Catnip
Lemon Balm
Onions
Eucalyptus
Horsemint
Bergamot
Marigolds
The best spots for these plants are by the door in pots, patios or anywhere you will spend time outside.
2. Remove stagnant water!
Remove standing water from buckets, rain gutters, old tires, plastic covers, and any other container that could serve as a breeding ground.
Pool water should be chlorinated, filtered, and circulated to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
Every week, drain and replace the water in fountains, birdbaths, pet dishes, and potted plant trays.
Under your deck, mosquitoes can breed in perfect conditions. If the area under your deck is prone to puddles, have the area re-landscaped and fill holes to encourage proper water drainage.
Make a Mosquito Trap
Supplies:
2-liter plastic bottle
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon of baker's yeast
Instructions:
1. First, cut a 2-liter plastic bottle in half using a sharp blade.
2. Dissolve 1 cup of brown sugar in 1 cup of hot water. Mix and allow for it to cool down.
3. Pour the sugar mixture into the bottom of the bottle.
4. Mix in 1 teaspoon of baker’s yeast to attract mosquitoes.
5. Remove the bottle cap and place the top half of the plastic bottle down into the bottom (to make a funnel) and seal with duct tape around the bottle.
After researching, I found mixed reviews on this mosquito trap. This trap doesn't work on all mosquitos.
We have found that Spartan Mosquito Eradicators work the best. (Not sponsored) They work when the mother mosquito brings back the food (from the eradicator) and feeds it to her eggs when they hatch. Both the mother and babies are killed in the nest because they can't digest it. We live in a very swampy river town, and we've noticed a considerable difference when we use these!
3. Attract Natural Predators like Bats and Birds
Create happy environments, like bat and bird houses for these creatures to live around your home. These animals can eat thousands of insects and mosquitos in a single day!
4. Keep a Tidy Lawn
Mosquitoes and other insects hide in tall grass to provide them a moist and shady shelter to reside. Mowing your lawn once a week is one of the easiest ways to hinder mosquitoes from hanging out in your yard.
Mow weekly
Trim any tall grass around pools, walkways, or ponds to reduce the places for them to live.
Place piles of leaves or grass in a tumbling composter or drop them off at a city compost site.
Make a Natural Repellent
Supplies:
2-ounce spray bottle
Distilled water
Five drops of Lavender oil
Ten drops of Eucalyptus oil
Five drops of Peppermint Oil
Three drops of Rosemary Oil
Five drops of Lemongrass oil
Directions:
1. Drop all the oils into the 2-ounce spray bottle.
2. Top off the bottle with distilled water and screw the sprayer back on.
3. Spray like regular mosquito spray.
Avoid eyes!
Here are some additional tips to keep mosquitoes away from your yard if all else fails.
Light candles or torches with citronella.
Turn on fans. A stiff breeze will make it impossible for mosquitos to land on you.
Consider a screen tent for entertaining guests or hanging outdoors.
Wear lightweight, light-colored pants and shirts.
As you can see, there are many DEET-free solutions to keeping your yard mosquito-free. What are some natural tinctures and tricks that work for you? If you found this post interesting, please show us some love and click the heart! Thank you for reading!
Opmerkingen