7 Tips for Mosquito-Magnets Like Me
If you can't go outside without being eaten alive by mosquitoes, I feel your pain... I've learned the hard way that DEET doesn't work for me, if it works for you that's great, but if not here's a few tricks to help keep those little blood-sucking jerks at bay.
1.) Bug-repellent Plants
Whether they're in pots or in the ground, there are several plants that help repel mosquitoes and other pests! This is a great option for those of you who enjoy sitting outside on your porch or in your backyard. These are just a few of the many plants that will not only look pretty, but also keep the bugs away!
Peppermint or Spearmint (which you can also use for tea!)
Lemongrass
Basil
Marigolds (these also repel bunnies from your garden and give off lots of seeds to save for the next planting season)
Citronella
Eucalyptus
Don't have a green thumb? No worries!
2.) Essential Oils
In recent years essential oils have become very popular for their many versatile uses. One of my favorite things to use them for is mosquito-repellent! You can make lotions, sprays, roll-ons, or just diffuse them. I usually just mix mine on the fly and rub it on my arms, ankles, and my neck. Keep in mind, if you are putting essential oils on your skin you'll need to mix it with a carrier oil unless otherwise stated on the label. You may be overwhelmed by the variety of oils available out there, so here's a few that seem to work well.
Clove
Citronella
Patchouli
Lemongrass
Click here to get your own oils!
3.) Smoke
I am NOT telling you to take up smoking, this is in regards to incense smoke, dried herbs (sage/cedar/lavender/etc.), or adding sage to your campfires. Believe it or not, smoke actually deters the little buggers from coming around as much. If the smoke doesn't bother you, try lighting some incense or burning some sage when you sit out. It's relaxing, clears negative energy, and keeps you bug-free! When you go camping or have a bonfire, try adding a bundle of dried sage to your fire.
4.) Get Rid of Standing Water
One of the best ways to limit the number of mosquitoes around your home is to eliminate their breeding grounds. They lay their eggs in standing water, so do your best to get rid of any stagnant water on your property. Change the water in your birdbath once per week, and rinse it off before filling it back up. Turn any containers that could hold water upside down or empty them daily. If you have a pond on your property add some plants around the outside as well as some aquatic plants to attract birds, dragonflies, and other wildlife. (I'll elaborate on this in the next tip.) Put some fish in your pond and they'll help eat the larvae!
5.) Protect Their Predators and Provide Them a Habitat
Like I mentioned in #4, you can attract other wildlife to your property that will help keep the mosquito population under control. They have many predators such as birds, dragonflies, fish, bats, and spiders! By protecting these animals and turning your property into a sanctuary for them you reap the benefit of fewer pests! Let the spiders make their webs in your garden, try not to destroy them. Put fish in your pond with some aquatic plants for the dragonflies. Hang some bird feeders and bird houses. You can even buy or build bat houses!
Click here to buy your very own bat house!
6.) Window Screens
This one may seem pretty self-explanatory, but I figured I'd list it anyway. Mosquitoes are a pain enough outside, so make sure you've got screens in any windows you have open to keep them from getting into the house!
7.) Clay Paste
Oops! You got bit. Now what? Lots of itching, swelling, discomfort...orrrr, mud!! I personally use this and it works like a charm. You'll need bentonite clay powder, which can be found at your local whole foods store or online, fractionated coconut oil or olive oil, and your choice of essential oils. (I like lavender and clove oil for their anti-inflammatory properties which help relieve swelling, but I also add peppermint just because I love the smell of it!) Simply mix your clay powder and coconut or olive oil in a glass jar until it's a thick paste, then add 15-20 drops of essential oils. It's that easy! Just apply a thin layer on the bite as soon as possible and brush it off when it's dry. The bentonite clay draws out the toxins and relieves the itchy, swollen bite! This also works well for poison ivy!
Got any tips of your own? Let us know in the comments!
Disclaimer: I'm not a scientist or a doctor, I'm simply providing alternative options to the normal chemical bug sprays on the market. Different things work for different people so I think it's a great idea for people to share what works for them in case it could help someone else! <3