July and August are the worse time of the year for mosquitoes. What can you do to keep mosquitoes away?
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away
Get rid of stagnant water
Make sure there’s no standing water anywhere — on toys left out on the lawn, plates under your flowerpots or garbage in an open can. Ponds, kiddie pools and improperly drained yards can also attract mosquitoes.
“Something as small as a bottle cap can be a breeding spot for mosquitoes,” says Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association. “The good thing is that they can’t fly very far, so if you can eliminate breeding spots on your property, you can greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes near your house.”
Wear the right clothes
Mosquitoes can’t penetrate clothing that has a very tight weave. While cotton and linen typically aren’t great armor against bug bites, many synthetic fibers—particularly high-tech athletic apparel—tend to be woven tightly enough to keep mosquitoes out.
Mosquitoes use their vision to search for food sources during the daylight hours. So, wear colors that will blend in — during the day wear light colored clothing that provide little contrast to the ground. At night wear dark colors.
Make natural repellents part of your landscape
There are a number of plants that have mosquito repellent properties – for example feverfew, citronella, catnip and lavender are four of the most effective. Plant these in flower beds or containers placed around your garden and keep mosquitoes away.
Keep in mind, these repellents aren’t usually released unless the plant is actually harmed. So if you fill your yard with species like citronella, make sure to rough ’em up before your next party.
Set the mood
Aside from mosquito repellent plants, you should set the mood to deter mosquitos. The day before your backyard party, spray a mosquito defense. We suggest trying Off!’s Backyard Pretreat. Simply attach the bottle to a hose and spray down the area you are planning on using at least 24 hours in advance.
Set a breeze. Mosquitos struggle flying in the breeze. Anything over 1 MPH will help keep them at bay.
Light a candle. Wax that contains geraniol is much more effective than citronella at repelling mosquitoes, so make sure you look for candles that specifically contain this ingredient. Strategically place your lights to ensure adequate coverage. Most of these products repel up to a 15-inch by 15-inch square foot area, but check the packaging and then place accordingly.
Sources:
Good Housekeeping
Natural Living Ideas
Prevention