Use natural remedies so mosquitoes don't spoil your outdoor fun.
Annoying mosquitoes spoil outdoor fun, plus the insects are known to transmit illnesses such as West Nile virus. Try natural repellents as an alternative to man-made chemicals such as DEET to get rid of mosquitoes. Many repellents readily grow in the garden and provide benefits in addition to keeping away pests. Does this Spark an idea?
Catnip
Catnip wards off mosquitoes. Iowa State University researchers studied its effects versus DEET and found catnip to be about 10 times more effective. Catnip also makes a nice foliage accent. Plant catnip in a vegetable garden to keep mosquitoes from attacking you while you are working. To make a spritz, rinse 2 cups of the herbs and pat dry. Roll the leaves lightly with a rolling pin, and place them in a jar. Cover the leaves with 3 to 4 cups of rice vinegar. Store the jar in a dark cupboard, and shake it every other day for two weeks. Strain the contents and use as a mosquito spray.
Lavender
Incorporate lavender plants in your flowerbeds or grow it in containers. Lavender repels mosquitoes as well as mice, moths, rabbits and ticks. Plant lavender in hanging baskets and window boxes, and stage them around your deck or patio. Keep mosquitoes from coming inside your home by placing lavender near your back door.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is another dual-purpose herb. It wards off mosquitoes and has many culinary uses. Use it to make tea and as an herb for roasting chicken. Plant lemon balm as a border plant for flowerbeds or in containers. It grows as a bush, reaching about 2 feet in height and width, and the leaves look similar to mint. Stage additional containers around the perimeter of your deck or patio to set up a defensive barrier.
Multi-Purpose Herb Cutting Garden
Popular culinary herbs rosemary, thyme and basil also repel mosquitoes. A study at Iowa State University showed crushed lemon thyme leaves had 62 percent of the repellent capabilities of DEET. When outside enjoying the backyard, cut sprigs of the herbs and place them in a small basket or bowl on patio tables. Plant a large garden around your patio or deck, or small mini-herb garden groupings in various places in your yard. Crush the leaves of the herbs and rub the essential oils onto your skin as an alternative to using a chemical-based mosquito spray.
Citronella
Citronella is an inexpensive and easy-to-find mosquito repellent. Purchase it at garden centers, hardware stores, grocery stores, drug stores and discount and major retail stores. Be sure to read the label to make sure that it is natural and not synthesized. Citronella comes in a pourable liquid form and many sizes of candles. The liquid form is used with outdoor tiki torches. This gives your backyard a decorative touch that serves as additional lighting at night.
Citronella candles are found in decorative containers. Set them on outdoor tables to blend in with your outdoor d cor. Quart-size citronella buckets are available at major home improvement and hardware stores. Set the buckets in key points in the yard where people gather, such as around the edges of your deck or patio and around a swimming pool.
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