How to Keep Mosquitoes Away Without Chemicals

If you're like me, bug spray isn't all that attractive and can be annoying. By using the right plants and good habits, mosquitoes can be significantly less bothersome.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A little money and time to buy and plant plants
• Good Habits

1. First, know your enemy.
   
   Mosquitoes breed in shallow bodies of water, come out primarily at dusk and dawn, and are attracted to action, heat, and sweet smells.
2. -- Empty out buckets around the yard that have collected rain water. Dump out and refill water bowls for pets.
   Do the same for the bird bath, baby pool, and even a toy dump truck in the sandbox. Mosquitoes can travel from miles away, so check your neighborhood for collections of water also.
3. -- Avoid exercising at dusk and dawn, as they are attracted to your movement, your warmth, and your sweat. Wear light colored clothing when its light out as to not stick out. If it's not too hot, wear long pants and long sleeves.
4. -- Don't wear perfume and/or cologne. When washing, use unscented soaps. Same goes for hand lotions.
5. -- My favorite remedy is planting plants. Plant these all over your yard and wear you spend your time outside at dusk and dawn.
   These plants look pretty, smell good, and are by no means a compromise to the landscape of your home.
   Plants these to repel the insects:
   -Ageratum
   -Basil
   -Garlic
   -Thyme
   -Daisies
   -Spearmint
   -Peppermint
   -Catnip
   -Rosemary
   -Marigolds
   -Eucalyptus
   -Horsemint
   -Cedar
   -Verbena
   -Lemon Grass

Tips & Warnings

• Don't think that using these natural remedies are less effective than the strong chemicals you see on sale at stores. Catnip is known to be at least 10 times as strong as DEET. Yeah.