Nothing ruins a lovely summer evening on the patio more than a swarm of blood-thirsty mosquitos, am I right? Here are some DEET-free tips for keeping these pesky summer pests at bay:
🚫💧 Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, so make sure to rid your yard / patio of standing water regularly. Think: clogged gutters, empty flower pots, kiddie pools, etc.
- If you have fish ponds, bird baths, or water storage vessels, try to keep them tidy and debris-free
🧥👖 Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn, so try to limit your time outside during that period. If you are outdoors, cover up!
🔥 Some non-chemical methods for keeping the skeeters away:
- A fire pit: You’ll stay warm, and the smoke and heat should keep the mosquitoes at a distance
- Mosquito netting: Hang netting on your pergola or picnic umbrella for an added layer of protection
- Natural repellants: Marigolds, mint, lavender, eucalyptus, thyme, basil, catnip, and bee balm are just some popular plants known to drive away mosquitoes
- Citronella candles: Citronella is a plant-derived oil known not only for repelling flies, mosquitoes, and ticks, but it smells lovely, too (to me, at least)
🪟 Keep the blood-suckers outside by making sure the screens on all your windows and doors are properly sealed.
🪴 Got bit by a mosquito? Here are some home-remedies for soothing that itch (without scratching):
- Hold an ice cube or cold pack to the bite for a few minutes whenever itching intensifies
- Smooth a drop of honey — which has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties — on the bite
- Apply a homemade oatmeal paste or take an oatmeal bath
- Look up how to make a simple rub or dilution from thyme, basil, peppermint oil, or chamomile, all of which are known to soothe irritated skin.
