How to Choose an All Natural Mosquito Repellent for a Yard
Mosquitoes transmit diseases and their bites leave itchy sores. It's only natural for people to want to repel them, but chemicals are not always the answer. Citronella candles work but they have to be lit to be effective. Because mosquitoes have different tastes, the best way to choose an all natural mosquito repellent is to try out several of them, then stick with the best one. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Install several catnip plants in the area where you spend the most time. Hang the plants out of reach of cats or surround them with wire cages.
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Plant a border of lavender around all garden seating areas. Mosquitoes don't care for the scent, but it's very appealing to humans and creates a strong visual for the garden. The combination of catnip and lavender may be enough to thwart the mosquitoes.
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Try some foods and vitamins. It's been rumored for many years that eating garlic or taking Vitamin B tablets will make human skin less appealing to the mosquitoes. In fact, no study done as of 2010 proved those theories to be true. However, Joe Conlon, technical advisor for the American Mosquito Control Association, told ABC in 2010 that the pests will avoid garlic "if" it has been squeezed on the skin. Another rumored effective repellent is Listerine because one of its active ingredients is based on eucalyptus oil. No study has confirmed this one works either, but even if it does the Listerine dries out quickly and the mosquitoes come back within 30 minutes.
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Eliminate any standing water in the yard, including water that may be trapped in tarps or nearly empty flower pots or clogged rain gutters. Mow the lawn regularly and eliminate weeds. The water and weeds give the adult mosquitoes places to breed or rest.
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Tips & Warnings
Mosquitoes transmit diseases in addition to leaving an itchy bite so it's always a good idea to keep them out of your yard as much as possible.
By treating your yard with all natural mosquito repellents, you don't have to worry about slathering your body with chemicals. If you have sensitive skin like I do, this is an especially big boon.
Of course, everyone knows about citronella and that's also a great option for all natural mosquito repellent treatments, especially if you have an outdoor candelabra or other candle decorations, but like the incense, they're only really effective when they're burning, so make sure you don't rely exclusively on citronella candles to keep mosquitoes out of the yard.
References
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