Don’t Bite Me! 10 Easy Ways to Repel Mosquitoes

What’s not to love about warm weather? Long sunny days, sizzling backyard barbecues, and the classic ’90s hit ‘Summertime’ by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince on repeat. 

But then another all-too-familiar sound interrupts your perfect summer’s day. It’s the high-pitched buzzing noise of the female mosquito, and she’s out to draw blood. Because mosquitoes also love warm weather, but not as much as they love feasting on you!

Try as you might to defend yourself with some frantic hand swatting, your arms and legs are soon full of itchy red bites. And, as if the bites weren’t bad enough, mosquitoes also carry diseases such as malaria, dengue, and West Nile virus. 

Wondering how to get rid of mosquitoes so that you can enjoy summer in peace? Keep reading to find out!

1. Contract Professional Mosquito Control Services

For consistent and effective protection from mosquitoes for your home and outdoor space, nothing beats the mosquito control services offered by Affinity Pest Control. By breaking the mosquito life cycle at all stages and inspecting your property for common breeding zones, Affinity can help you take back your backyard from the pesky bloodsuckers for good!

2. Apply Chemical Mosquito Repellent

Most chemical insect repellents contain DEET, which is short for its chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. DEET is effective at keeping mosquitoes away and stopping them from biting you, although it doesn’t kill them. Despite its efficacy, however, DEET does have the potential to cause environmental and health problems. 

If you prefer not to use DEET, the synthetic compound picaridin is a safer and more effective option. While mosquitoes may land on your skin when you use a DEET-based mosquito repellent, products containing picaridin make mosquitoes less likely to even land.

3. Turn on Your Electric Fan

Your AC might be great for cooling your home, but electric fans have the advantage when it comes to repelling mosquitoes.

Fans move the air around, helping to dissipate the carbon dioxide that attracts mosquitoes to humans. What’s more, mosquitoes have a hard time flying against the strong breeze of a powerful electric fan. Use ceiling fans and standing fans to help keep mosquitoes at bay when you’re indoors and place fans around your seating area whenever you’re outdoors enjoying a warm summer’s evening.

4. Burn Citronella Candles

Citronella, which is made from a mix of herbs, is a common ingredient in many natural mosquito repellents. One of the best ways to make use of its mosquito-repelling power is by placing citronella candles around your outdoor seating area.

Make sure you opt for quality citronella candles though. Soy wax candles made with premium pure essential oils tend to be a more effective mosquito control method than the cheaper, mass-produced versions. 

 5. Cover Up in Light Clothing

White and light-colored clothing is a great way to repel almost any insect, including mosquitoes. Dark colors attract mosquitoes and other insects because they trap the carbon dioxide your body produces which then attracts mosquitoes. 

And, while summer clothes tend to expose a lot of skin, covering up in loose clothes made from light fabrics and shoes rather than sandals can help deter mosquitoes.

6. Use Mosquito-Repelling Essential Oils

There are many essential oils that act as natural mosquito repellents. These include lavender, clove, thyme, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, cinnamon, lemongrass, and tea tree oils. Armed with this knowledge, you can use essential oils in homemade natural mosquito repellents, clothes sprays, candles, or luminaries. 

But, you should always bear in mind that essential oils irritate the skin. So, if you’re planning on using essential oils in a homemade body lotion or spray as a way to help repel mosquitoes, remember to mix your chosen oil with a carrier oil such as olive, almond, or coconut oil. 

7. Install a Mosquito Misting System

Installing a misting system is another mosquito control method that works well to protect your outdoor areas. These systems can be tankless or drum-based and operate on a fixed schedule or by remote. Misting systems use pyrethrin, a compound extracted from the chrysanthemum flower that is very unappealing to mosquitoes.

8. Set a Mosquito Trap

A portable mosquito trap is an inexpensive control method that lures mosquitoes into a battery or propane-operated system. One unit can cover up to an acre of land, making these kinds of traps perfect for stopping mosquitoes from plaguing your outdoor areas. 

Since the traps operate all day and night, there’s no need to remember to switch them on or set up a system. But make sure to give your trap time to take effect as you might not see fewer mosquitoes until as many as ten days after setting the trap.

9. Make Crushed Garlic Spray

The sulfur in crushed garlic sends mosquitoes buzzing away in the other direction. One way to use garlic as a natural mosquito repellent is to sprinkle cut garlic around your yard. Another option is to make a homemade garlic-infused spray for your outdoor areas.

10. Fill Your Yard with Mosquito-Repelling Plants

Planting an array of mosquito-repelling shrubs, trees, and flowers is a surefire way to defend your yard from these unwelcome pests. Some of the best plants for keeping mosquitoes away include bee balm, catnip, eucalyptus, marigold, and lavender. 

How to Repel Mosquitoes

Whether you want to keep mosquitoes away from yourself, your home, or your yard, there are plenty of effective methods for stopping those pesky bloodsuckers in their tracks. 

That said, not all repellents work the same for everyone, so you might need to try a few different mosquito repellent options to find the best one for you. 

For more of the best lifestyle advice, be sure to check out our other blog posts!