Inside: Want a natural mosquito repellent? Check out these easy tips on how to keep mosquitoes away naturally. Say goodbye to bad-smelling chemicals and the bugs!
One of my favorite things to do in summer is to sit on our back porch at night. After my son goes to bed my husband and I will often make a drink and go out back to spend some time together.
Usually, by evening it's cooled off so it is a relaxing way to spend the evening. It's one of my favorite things about summer.
However, one of my least favorite things about summer is dealing with mosquitoes. They are annoying, and can even make you really sick.
If you are tired of dealing with them check out these simple tips on how to keep mosquitos away naturally.
How To Keep Mosquitoes Away Naturally
If you want to avoid using harsh chemicals to keep mosquitoes away look no further than these simple tips.
Get Rid Of Standing Water
One of the easiest ways to get rid of mosquitoes is to make sure you eliminate any standing water around your house.
Mosquitoes love standing water. They will lay their eggs in any small areas of standing water they can find. Make sure you keep the area around your home dry and free from standing water.
Avoid standing water with the tips below.
- Keep your gutters free from debris so water doesn't gather in them.
- If you have birdbaths make sure you regularly empty them once a week.
- Make sure kids' toys aren't left out to gather rainwater.
- Regularly clean off grill and trashcan lids to prevent water buildup.
By keeping your home free from standing water you will force them to find another place to lay their eggs.
Keep Mosquitoes Away With Repelling Plants
Plants are a great natural mosquito repellent. You can plant them around the areas you want to keep free of mosquitoes. The smell of the plants naturally keeps the mosquitos away.
A few of the best plants to repel mosquitoes are:
- lavender
- basil
- citronella grass
- rosemary
- marigolds
You can either plant these around your home or put a few of them in pots on your porch or patio. I like to keep a lavender plant on our patio table to really keep them away. It looks pretty and it is effective and keeping the bugs away. It's a win-win!
Keep Mosquitoes Away With Essential Oils
Another way to keep the mosquitoes away is by using mosquito repelling essential oils.
Bugs hate the following essential oils:
- peppermint
- lemon
- lavender
- rosemary
- citronella oil
You can either keep a diffuser outside with you or you can make a bracelet to keep the bugs away. I made one for a couple of dollars and I just add more essential oils when it needs it.
Using essential oils you can keep the mosquitoes away and not have to spray chemicals all over yourself. It's natural and it makes your backyard smell good.
Turn Off The Lights & Run A Fan
Mosquitoes are attracted to lights so turn off as many lights as you can to keep them from coming around. If you are outside you can use these yellow lights to keep them away. Just add these to your outdoor light fixtures for summer to keep the bugs away.
Another great way to get rid of mosquitoes is to keep a fan on. We installed a porch fan a couple of years ago and that has been wonderful at keeping the mosquitoes away. Mosquitoes are naturally weak fliers and can't fly with a little bit of a breeze.
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With these simple tips, you can get rid of mosquitoes and enjoy your time outside this summer. You don't have to use weird or harmful chemicals. Keep your backyard smelling great and keep mosquitos away!
Want some other easy tips? Check out the easiest way to keep flies away. It's one simple trick you will love.
Donna Johnson says
Thank you so much for these tips. I purchased lavender and peppermint plants. Will see how it works. Do I have to rub the leaves to get a stronger smell to deter the mosquitoes?
DJ.
Julie says
You shouldn't have to rub either of the plants to get rid of the mosquitoes.
Margaret Gardner says
Good tips to know. Will buy a lavender plant this weekend and some marigold plants for my planters!!
MaryBeth says
Hi Julie, I too like sitting outside with hubby & enjoying a glass of wine after kiddos are in bed, I'm SO appreciative of your natural remedies as we added an African grey parrot to our family this fall.I didn't know lavender kept them away. I have bushes of it growing & will decorate patio tables with it! How did you make your bracelet?
Julie says
Hi MaryBeth! I used some ribbon and essential oils. You can see how I did it in the link below.
https://www.frugallyblonde.com/essential-oil-bug-bracelet/