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11 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Far, Far Away From You This Summer

05/07/2018 - 06:00 PM

True story: my husband has never been bit by a mosquito [1]. While I'm not sure if this means that he secretly has a thick exoskeleton protecting him [2] from those annoying and oh-so-itchy bites [3], what I do know is that some people are just plain lucky. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people, and neither is our son. But instead of avoiding the outdoors, I've found little tips and tricks for remaining as bite-free as possible. In order to actually enjoy the nice weather and make sure your Summer doesn't suck, follow these simple steps.

Plant and Wear Lavender

Lavender isn't just one of the prettiest and aromatic flowers to plant in your garden, but it also serves as a natural mosquito repellent. Either scatter the beautiful shrubs around your yard or embrace the natural scent as your Summer perfume.

Remove Stagnant Water

While it's easy to just let the water in the kids' play table remain overnight, it can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Always dump sand and water tables, remove any stagnant puddles, and keep an eye out for other opportunities for your relaxing backyard to become an infestation.

Make Multiple Bottles of Repellent Accessible

It doesn't matter how many bottles of mosquito repellent you have, nor whether or not it's organic and homemade, if you don't put it on. Instead of keeping all the bottles in one utility drawer, scatter them throughout your property, keeping one in your purse, one in the car, one outside, and one by each exterior door.

Keep Covered Up

You should never bust out your Winter coats and sweaters in the hot heat of Summer, but light layers and covered feet will help prevent mosquito bites.

Wear Light Colours

Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours [4], so now's the time to dress you and your family in breezy outfits in light colours.

Avoid Dusk

Yes, sitting outside as the sun goes down is beautiful, but this is also when those little mosquito jerks [5] are out and ready to party (er, bite you). It's best to find an indoor activity around this time.

Lay Off the Banana Smoothies

As a banana lover, I feel personally attacked by this suggestion, but since bananas contain octenol, which attracts mosquitoes, it's probably best to avoid them during the Summer months. Now might be the time to switch to other Summer smoothies [6].

Spray Your Backyard

If you really want to make sure your backyard is death to any mosquitoes who dare trespass, there are sprays [7] you can use to make your yard safe. Just make sure to read the instructions clearly so no harm comes to children and pets.

Candles Are About More Than Mood Lighting

Tiki torches and candles are about a lot more than setting the mood for a relaxing evening — they can also help ward off the pests. Find candles that are designed to detract mosquitoes and place them around you like a shield, protecting you from bites.

Coffee Grounds Do Wonders

Coffee grounds are compostable, meaning they'll help take care of your garden, and they are a natural insect repellent. Simply take your old grounds and scatter them in the planting bed to ensure a rich and mosquito-free soil.

DIY a Way to Trap Those Suckers

Using simple things found around your house, create a DIY mosquito trap [8] that lets them know your home is not to be messed with.


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/How-Keep-Mosquitos-Away-45012487