logo dark logo light logo
  • Home
  • Products
    • Wet & Forget Outdoor
      • Application
      • Before & Afters
      • Surfaces
      • Testimonials
      • FAQs
    • Wet & Forget Indoor
      • Application
      • Before & Afters
      • Surfaces
      • Testimonials
      • FAQs
    • Wet & Forget Shower
      • Application
      • Before & Afters
      • Surfaces
      • Testimonials
      • FAQs
    • Miss Muffet’s Revenge
      • Application
      • Testimonials
      • FAQs
  • Videos
    • Wet & Forget Outdoor Videos
    • Wet & Forget Indoor Videos
    • Wet & Forget Shower Videos
    • Miss Muffets Revenge Videos
    • New Home Spotlight
  • Contact
  • Sign Up
  • Store Locator
  • Visit Wet & Forget
Menu
mobile logo
  • Home
  • Products
    • Wet & Forget Outdoor
      • Application
      • Before & Afters
      • Surfaces
      • Testimonials
      • FAQs
    • Wet & Forget Indoor
      • Application
      • Before & Afters
      • Surfaces
      • Testimonials
      • FAQs
    • Wet & Forget Shower
      • Application
      • Before & Afters
      • Surfaces
      • Testimonials
      • FAQs
    • Miss Muffet’s Revenge
      • Application
      • Testimonials
      • FAQs
  • Videos
    • Wet & Forget Outdoor Videos
    • Wet & Forget Indoor Videos
    • Wet & Forget Shower Videos
    • Miss Muffets Revenge Videos
    • New Home Spotlight
  • Contact
  • Sign Up
  • Store Locator
  • Visit Wet & Forget
diy mosquito repellent
October 31, 2014
Gardening

7 Natural Mosquito Repellents to Stay Safe and Happy Outdoors

After the warm winter and early spring, the US enjoyed this year, we can expect to see a bumper crop of mosquitoes this summer. And, while the word “mosquito” comes from the Spanish for “little fly,” these diminutive bugs can cause super-sized problems.

Mosquito bites can itch enough to nearly drive you batty, and scratching can lead to secondary infections. Mosquitoes also spread dangerous diseases such as encephalitis and West Nile Virus in humans. They can even transmit deadly heartworm in our furry family members.

Many of us would rather not use chemical mosquito repellents to solve our mosquito problem, though. If you’d like to use more natural means to avoid being feasted on this summer, here are the 7 best mosquito repellent options to choose from.

Plants

There are plenty of smells we humans aren’t exactly fond of–eau de dumpster, anyone?–and mosquitoes are no different. Certain plants produce oils that mosquitoes find “stinky” and will generally avoid.

Citronella is one of those plants, and we use citronella oil to make candles, lotions, and other products to keep the pesky insects at bay. An all-natural alternative to these products is to plant this decorative clumping grass near the back deck, or other areas the family plans to hang out.

Other mosquito-repelling plants include marigolds, horsemint, catnip, and ageratum. Remember to check the USDA plant hardiness zone where you live before you plant.

Dry Ice

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. Instead of melting into a liquid as it warms up, like the ice in your soda, dry ice transforms directly into carbon dioxide gas.

One of the ways mosquitoes locate their victims is by detecting the carbon dioxide we mammals exhale with each breath. Therefore, buying dry ice just before a backyard barbecue and placing it in the yard away from your guests will distract some mosquitoes and reduce the number of bites.

It’s no magic bullet, though–researchers at Yale discovered in 2010 that mosquitoes have more than two dozen scent receptors for human sweat, and they are also attracted by movement, moisture, and body heat.

Environment

The most surefire way of reducing the mosquito population in your yard is to disrupt their life cycle. Since mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, check your property thoroughly for places water can collect, such as clogged rain gutters and birdbaths.

If you have decorative ponds or other standing water you want to keep, make it unwelcome to mosquitoes by keeping it aerated or by adding natural mosquito killers such as anti-mosquito bacteria or fish that feast on mosquito larvae.

Traps

Traps that attract and kill mosquitoes can reduce the population of adult mosquitoes in your garden. Commercially available “bug-zappers” use light to attract mosquitoes and other insects.

The Mosquito Magnet™ attracts mosquitoes by emitting carbon dioxide, warmth, moisture, and a mosquito-attracting scent, and then sucks in the mosquitoes that take the bait. This homemade mosquito trap uses fermentation-produced carbon dioxide to lure the little bloodsuckers to their demise.

Spices

Spices not only make your dinner more enjoyable–some spices can drive mosquitoes away. If you’re having a backyard bonfire, throw some fresh sage or rosemary on the embers to make the bugs keep their distance.

A body spray made of one part garlic juice and five parts water repels mosquitoes. However, use with caution–it may also drive away human guests.

Herbal Solutions

If you’re looking for a pre-made natural repellent, neem oil is one option. Derived from the neem tree in India, this oil is safe to use and discourages mosquitoes from biting. Another plant-based product, DEET-free Herbal Armor™, uses extracts including peppermint oil and lemongrass extract to keep mosquitoes away.

Natural Predators

Another way to get rid of mosquitoes is to let nature do the work for you. Encourage natural bug-eaters like birds and bats to patrol your property by installing a birdhouse or bathouse.

Some types of bats can chomp down 500 to 1,000 mosquitoes per bat, per night, which puts most traps to shame. Admire your wildlife helpers from afar, though–bats can carry rabies.

Photo courtesy of JJ Harrison.

Have a safe, fun summer!

Stop by our website to learn more about our easy solutions to everyday problems, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your summer!

Keep mosquitoes away from your patio with these natural mosquito repellents!
Use these safe natural methods to repel mosquitoes from your backyard!

 

Related Posts

  • How to Get Rid of Mealybugs on HouseplantsHow to Get Rid of Mealybugs on Houseplants
  • Don’t Let Mosquitoes Ruin Your Summer FunDon’t Let Mosquitoes Ruin Your Summer Fun
  • How to Get Rid of the Most Common Pests in HomesHow to Get Rid of the Most Common Pests in Homes
  • Discover 5 Tips for Keeping Bugs Away the Natural Way!Discover 5 Tips for Keeping Bugs Away the Natural Way!
  • Drive Bugs Away with these 10 Pest Repellent PlantsDrive Bugs Away with these 10 Pest Repellent Plants
  • Summer’s 4 Most Vicious Outdoor Pests, and Tricks for Beating ThemSummer’s 4 Most Vicious Outdoor Pests, and Tricks for Beating Them
Tags: dry ice and mosquitos, herbal mosquito repellant, kill mosquitos, mosquito predators, mosquito repelling plants, mosquito traps, natural mosquito repellants
Share:
Posts you'd might like
Shrubs grown poolside
June 9, 2023
Best Plants to Grow Around a Pool
COMMENTS
  • LoEtta yaden
    October 31, 2014

    Have heard that a spray bottle, with listerine, sprayed around the area keeps bugs and mesdquitos away
    Is this true??\Thanks for sharing

    reply
    • Teresa Fugatt
      October 31, 2014

      Listerine is mostly water and alcohol, it has a little bit of eucalyptol in it but not in any concentration that would enable a preventative effect. If you spray the bugs with it I’m sure it’ll do some damage but as far as a preventative I don’t think it works.

      reply
Post a comment cancel reply

Search
Categories
  • Bathroom Cleaning
  • Gardening
  • Home Décor
  • Home Improvement
  • Indoor Cleaning
  • Miscellaneous
  • Outdoor Cleaning
  • Promotions
  • Spider Control
Recent Posts
  • Vegan Twists On Classic Thanksgiving Dishes
  • How to Check for Outdoor Damage After Winter Storms
  • How to Reduce Fall Allergies for Easy Breathing
  • Boost Fall Flavors with an Indoor Herb Garden
  • Preparing Your Garden and Yard for Fall
Tags
best shower cleaner best spider killer black algae clean shower fixtures deck cleaner deck cleaning DIY enter to win flower garden get rid of spiders grand prize great backyard giveaway green algae indoor garden indoor herb garden indoor mold kill spiders mildew cleaner mold mold & mildew mold and mildew mold and mildew cleaner mold and mildew remover mold and mildew stains moss moss on roof moss remover recipes remove deck stains remove mold and mildew remove shower grime roof cleaner roof moss save money shower cleaner shower spray soap scum spider killer spiders spray and rinse spray once spring cleaning vegetable garden water damage weekly shower spray