Amazingly Effective Ways to Naturally Repel Mosquitoes
A few weeks ago, I was out with some friends when our conversation turned to the nasty presence of mosquitoes. A number of my friends felt trapped inside their own home during the warm and muggy months because they felt that the moment they walked outside, they were getting attached by swarms of mosquitoes. They felt that the only option they had was to hire a crew to come out and spray their yard full of expensive chemicals. They wanted effective and natural ways to repel mosquitoes. Perhaps you do, too.
Mosquitoes Habitat
The good news is that there are some great options for effectively and naturally repelling mosquitoes. Understanding a mosquito’s habitat is one of your first steps to take. The location where you live impacts the severity of your mosquito problem. Having an understanding of a mosquito’s life cycle and habitat, will help to equip you on your task to avoid them.
Mosquitoes love hot and humid environments that is around stagnant water. That means they will infest ponds, marshes, swamps, and other wetland habitats. The water provides mosquitoes with a home to lay their eggs, grow and develop. It is the surface of the water that they choose to lay their eggs.
Mosquitoes Are Attracted to Certain People
Have you noticed that mosquitoes seem more attracted to you than another person? That isn’t just a myth. The research is growing in relation to which individuals might attract mosquitoes. According to WebMD, Butler stated, “People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes.”
According to John Edman, PHD and spokesman for the Entomological Society of America, “Mosquitoes also target people who produce excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid.” The idea is that these acids will trigger a mosquito’s sense of smell.
Carbon dioxide is another magnet for mosquitoes. That is why you might have noticed when you work out that mosquitoes are close. That is because they can follow up the steady output of carbon dioxide. Heat, a dark outfit, and even a beer are all possible reasons that might cause the swarms of mosquitoes.
How to Effectively Repel Mosquitoes Naturally
When it comes to getting rid of mosquitoes, having an understanding of what habitats they are attracted to and what might be attracting them is the first step.
Take a look around your backyard and make sure you have no standing water, including checking your rain gutters. For one of my friends, this was her main problem. After some investigation, she found that her neighbor’s home had been in foreclosure. One of the problems that was left behind was a huge amount of standing water lying underneath their deck. Once removed, the mosquito problem dramatically improved.
However, this probably will not completely deal with problem of annoying mosquitoes. Like many of my friends, people are turning to chemicals and having companies come into weekly or monthly spray their yards. You might not want to spray your yard with chemicals so you are looking for organic options to get rid of mosquitoes.
Plants That Repel Mosquitoes
As we shared earlier, mosquitoes tend to be attracted to certain odors in human skin, but thankfully, there are certain smells that are unpleasant for mosquitoes. Adding certain plants to your backyard space will help by hiding your own scent, and also repel them away by adding scents that they do not like. It is recommended that breaking the leaves and rubbing the oil of these plants directly on your skin can be most effective. Essential oils will have a similar reaction.
What are these power plants that will help repel this nasty mosquitoes?
- Lemon Balm – With a strong lemon scent, this plant is known for keeping biting insects away. It is an invasive plant, which makes it a great plant to grow for beginners. However, make sure to keep it in a container, or another place that will help hold it back from taking over your landscape.
- Capnip – This plant contains a chemical called nepetalactone. It is a great insect repellent. A study done in 2010 found that catnip is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET, the common ingredient found in bug repellents.
- Basil – This plant will not only make you incredible pesto, but the essential oil of basil is toxic to mosquito larvae according to a study in 2009.
- Lavender – This plant continues to prove to be a powerhouse plant with the amazing abilities and stunning beauty. In this case, it is a great organic repellent for flying insects like mosquitoes, moths and flies. It is most effective when rubbed on the skin and relaxing you along the way.
- Marigolds – The beautiful hardy and bright annual plant is often used around vegetable gardens, but it also makes for a great choice for mosquito repellents. Marigolds contain Pyrethrum, which is an ingredient fond in many insect repellents. According to Natural Living Ideas, the scent of the Marigold plant has a “unique aroma that bugs find repulsive.”
- Peppermint – When peppermint is in a concentrated from, it is known to keep away the adults and kill the larvae of other insects.
- Sage + Rosemary – If you know you are going to be hanging out in one area, burning sage and rosemary might be a great option. The smell will be great for you and your guests, and unpleasant to those irritating insects. It will work great as long as you are close to the smoke.
- Citronella – This perennial has a strong citronella-like small. It has been marketed as the “mosquitoes plant.” While the research doesn’t put it at the top of the charts as the best repellent, when you are out of options, you can rub the leaves on your skin and it will still provide protection.
Wrapping Up
Before you go out and hire an expensive, chemically-based treatment for mosquitoes, consider find an organic way to deal with mosquitoes. Checking for standing water, using plants, and essential oils, and burning incense are also natural ways that can make dramatic difference in your mosquito problem.
We would love to hear from you. What ways have you organically dealt with mosquitoes. Do you have a favorite plant that you make sure keep around your backyard to help keep those irritating insects away?
