Summer is upon us, and unfortunately, that means that one bad pest is already making the rounds to nearly everyone in the country —mosquitoes! Not only are they a nuisance, but they can also carry and spread dangerous diseases. Don’t let these pesky bloodsuckers put a damper on your time outdoors. Let’s explore tips to help reduce mosquito breeding grounds and how to repel them naturally.
Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Areas:
• Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, and these are areas they love to populate. Areas that can retain water include trashcans, wheelbarrows, buckets, kiddie pools, birdbaths, etc. Empty these areas a few times a week, depending upon water retention. Consider drilling holes in the bottom of your garbage cans and buckets to encourage water to drain instead of collecting and making a paradise for mosquito breeders.
• Additional areas that mosquitoes love are gutters. Clear them often of debris to keep water from collecting. A build-up of wet leaves is not only a playground for mosquitoes, but it can also cause damage to your gutters and home.
• Keep chlorinated or salt-water pools in proper working order. Stagnate, or still, water will attract mosquitoes, whether salt brackish or chlorine.
• Invest in a professional pest control service to evaluate and treat your yard for mosquitoes for the best results.
Embrace Natural Mosquito Repellants:
• Mosquitoes love the scent of human skin. There are certain plants and flowers that provide a natural repellant because they mask the smell of humans.
• Natural repellants:
1. Marigolds: Low-maintenance, pretty flowers with a strong scent to repel mosquitoes.
2. Citronella: Best utilized when it is strong, and the leaves are crushed and rubbed onto your skin.
3. Lemon Balm: Not just a repellent but used in herbal teas and salads.
4. Peppermint: This can also be used on pets to keep fleas away and calm upset stomachs.
5. Catnip: If you are good with a potential increase in the feline population, catnip has also been known to repel houseflies, mites, cockroaches, and ticks.
6. Basil: Not just a great, multi-purpose herb for cooking, basil has such a strong scent that you don’t need to crush it up and rub it on your skin. Plant multiple basil plants around your yard for ultimate protection.
7. Lavender: This is a beautiful flowering plant that also helps people relax. Keep mosquitoes at bay by rubbing oils onto the skin.
8. Pennyroyal: Plant in and around your garden and carry some crushed stems in your pockets while outdoors.
9. Sage: The strong fragrance of sage is used in various cooking dishes but can also keep mosquitoes at bay.
10. Rosemary: A skin-friendly mosquito repellent. Keep it year-round outdoors in the summer and indoors in the winter.
Reducing the number of mosquitoes in your yard will allow you and your family to enjoy these warmer temperatures without the risk of bites and potential infections. And experiment with different natural repellants for ultimate protection from bloodsucking mosquitoes!
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