All you want to do during the warmer months is get outside and enjoy your lawn! Hosting barbeques, playing with the kids, gardening and enjoying the great outside space you have created. But the pesky mosquitoes are back and are running amok! The kids are scratching, you’ve got lumps all up your arms and the mozzies are having a right old feast.
So, what do you do? Give up and head back indoors? NO!
You might have tried some common solutions, but there are some things (especially when combined) that might help.
Here’s 8 options…
DEET (Topical Insect Repellents)
DEET is short for N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide and is used as a repellent. When applied to the skin, it creates a vapour barrier on the surface of the skin which deters the mozzies from making contact. Different repellents include differing percentages of DEET, with a higher percentage providing longer lasting protection. One of the best products available is from Bushman Repellent which has a range of products with DEET amounts up to 80%!
Mosquito coils
This might be a fairly common go-to, but when combined with the use of topical insect repellents you get pretty good protection from mozzies. Traditionally mosquito coils were made using pyrethrum, with many now containing pyrethroid insecticides to kill the mozzies and/or citronella to repel them.
Mosquito repellent plants
One of the easiest ways to get a leg-up on the mozzies is to plant mosquito repellent plants. Some options include; lemon balm, lavender, peppermint, marigolds, citronella grass and catnip. The great thing about these is they smell great, but the mosquitoes don’t like the scent, so it keeps them away. Try planting these plants near your entertainment areas or have some of them in pots closer to where you need them.
Eliminate stagnant water
Stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Where possible, try to avoid stagnant water in places where it’s not needed. Remove any old buckets or containers that have filled up from rain. For birdbaths and pet water bowls, try to keep the water fresh by replacing it regularly.
Garlic
Who won’t it keep away! No surprises here really, mosquitoes aren’t big fans of the smell of garlic; if you boil it and use the water for a spray, you can target some problem areas where the mosquitoes congregate.
Coffee Grinds
Love the smell of coffee? Well, mosquitoes don’t, so make use of your coffee grinds. Leave them in a bowl and singe them with a lighter to spread the aroma.
Lighting
Insects see lights differently to humans and are highly attracted to light sources, especially ones that emit intense heat and brightness. Bug lights have a bulb that is coated with a yellow, opaque coating that is less detectable to mosquitoes. As a result, they won’t swarm around your light source, which will mean they are less likely to spoil your evening outside.
Create a cross breeze
It can get seriously hot outside in the summer, even in the evening. If you utilise a fan to help cool you down, it will also lead to less mosquitoes as they will seek shelter where the air is calmer.
