Standing water in bird baths and watering cans attracts mosquitoes.
As the weather begins to warm flowers start to bloom, buds appear on trees and mosquitoes make their way into our backyards. People living in areas effected by biting mosquitoes find it hard to let their children enjoy being outdoors in the summer because the consequence is a body full of itchy, painful mosquito bites. Thankfully, there are several ways to keep mosquitoes away from your children without harming them with chemicals and pesticides. Does this Spark an idea?
Plants
Several varieties of plants repel mosquitoes naturally. When planted outdoors, these flowers and shrubs help to provide a mosquito-free environment for your children to play in. Plant marigolds, ageratum, rosemary, basil and lemon grass around your yard and garden beds. Citronella is also effective for repelling mosquitoes but it may be more difficult to plant because it grows up to six feet tall. Citronella oil can be a substitute.
Household Items
A few everyday, household items have proven effective in safely repelling mosquitoes. A 2010 Kansas State University study by Raymond Cloyd found that Bounce dryer sheets help to repel mosquitoes. When scientists analyzed Bounce dryer sheets they found beta-citronellol (also found in citronella), lemon balm, rose geranium, linalool (also in basil), marjoram and lavender. These ingredients also help to repel mosquitoes in their natural state.
In your outdoor lights use yellow light bulbs which do not attract mosquitoes like white bulbs do. Dressing your children in darker colored clothes can also help keep mosquitoes at bay. They are more attracted to light colored clothes than dark.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are natural oils that appear in plants, seeds, trees, roots, bushes and flowers. In their natural environment these oils protect their plant from insects, diseases and environmental threats. Extracting the oils from plants means humans can use them in similar ways.
For a natural mosquito repellent for children, mix 2 1/2 teaspoons of any combination of the following oils; basil, cedarwood, citronella, juniper, lemon, myrrh, palmarosa, pine, rose geranium or rosemary with 1 cup of rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, vodka, or olive oil. Mix thoroughly and dab on skin or clothing with a cotton ball.
Consumer Products
There are several different, natural bug sprays on the market that are safe to use on children. California Baby Natural Bug Repellent Spray sooths any current bites while also repelling mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and flies.
Badger Balm's Anti-Bug formula comes in a tin or a stick, not a spray. It repels pests and is made of citronella oil, cedar oil, lemongrass oil, rosemary oil and geranium oil.
Buzz Away is a natural repellent that protects from mosquitoes for up to four hours and is available in a spray bottle or a towelette wipe.
Read each repellent's label carefully, often all natural bug repellents need to be applied more often than those containing DEET.
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