This year’s unusually warm winter and overly hot summer means that mosquito infestations in many parts are worse than ever. Despite the drought in the west, they will also likely last longer into the season.
Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and sweat, so any amount of exertion in the outdoors spells ripe pickings for the hungry pests. While there are many bug repellant products on the market, many of them come with health warnings or are just plain unpleasant.
The most common ingredient in most bug repellants is DEET, which is a toxic pesticide that’s dangerous to human health under heavy exposure. Granted you’re not swimming in the stuff, but why expose yourself to toxic chemicals if you don’t have to?
Repelling mosquitoes isn’t just about avoiding bug bites. Mosquitoes can carry viruses such as West Nile and malaria. Here are 10 ways to naturally repel mosquitoes using natural ingredients:
10 Mosquito Repellants
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Set up a fan
This is one of the easiest ways to make a bug trap. Position a fan with a screen over it. A box fan works best. Mosquitoes are attracted to the fan and can't pry themselves off the screen. A spray of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and they won't fly off again.
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Use a net and button up
This is probably the most irritable way to repel mosquitoes but it’s pretty fool proof. You can get a hat with a net on it to cover your face, but you won’t be able to see real great and you’ll look like a doofus. Consider also wearing long sleeved shirt and pants and tucking your pants into your boots. This is also a good strategy to avoid ticks.
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Citronella candles
One of the most effective natural mosquito repellants is the long-time favorite citronella candles. You can buy these at a retail store or you can make your own. To whip up your own patch of mosquito repellant candles simply add citronella essential oil to melted down candle wax. Use about 1 oz. of oil to 1 lb. of wax. Glue a wick to the bottom of a can and pour the wax into it. The candles release the citronella essential oils into the air, creating a natural mosquito repelling barrier.
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Lavender oil
Lavender oil has a wonderful aroma that is cherished by many people, but mosquitoes absolutely hate it. Take advantage of this by adding about 30 drops of lavender oil to two tablespoons of vegetable oil and rub it on your skin.
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Rosemary
A great way to repel mosquitoes while you’re barbequing is to add a stalk of rosemary to the grill. Mosquitoes hate it and it will also make your food taste better.
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Neem oil
This natural insecticide is used by gardeners to keep away mites and other insects. It can also keep mosquitoes off your skin and it’s completely harmless. Neem oil is derived through vegetable extract from the neem tree, which is native to the Indian sub-continent. Besides repelling mosquitoes, it has many health benefits as well.
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Eat more garlic
Even though it will likely keep more of the human species away, eating more garlic will also help repel insects. As the garlic oil releases out of your pores, the mosquitoes get the idea and avoid you like the plague.
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Plant an herb garden
If it’s mosquitoes you are trying to repel from your backyard, there are certain herbs that you can plant to effectively keep the bugs at bay. Consider catnip, basil, lemon balm, marigolds, rosemary, peppermint and citronella. Besides just planting these herbs in the garden you can rub them on your skin or make a tea and spray the extract on your skin.
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Eucalyptus trees
Along with repelling mosquitoes by the mere presence of the tree, you can treat the eucalyptus leaves and branches like you would other herbs. Make a tea out of the leaves and spray it, or try sleeping beside one of the branches. You can bring a sprig along on your next camping trip.
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Permethrin-treated clothing
Most bug repellant is applied to your skin or the air around you. For a repellant method that works on your clothing try spraying your clothes with permethrin. This synthetic chemical is not organic, but it is safe and it’s on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. There are even hats and other clothes that contain permethrin right in the fabric such as the Stetson No Fly Hats by Dorfman-Pacific.
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