These 4 Magical Methods Will Keep Mosquitoes Away Between Professional Treatments

18 February 2015
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Your pest control provider from a place like E & R Exterminating Company, Inc. can help you minimize mosquito infestation throughout the year, but professional treatments don't guarantee that the pests will not show up at some point between visits. And if you're like most people, your probably want to avoid the skin irritation and itchy bumps that result from hanging around too many mosquitoes. Luckily, there are a few methods you can use to keep the mosquitoes from bothering you and your family until you can schedule your next service appointment. Consider one or more of these ideas:

Grow an Herb Garden in the Kitchen

Believe it or not, simple herbs planted in your kitchen can help keep mosquitoes out of your house day and night. They'll also provide you with free food, and enhance the natural qualities of your space. Most herbs grow well indoors and can be grown in small half gallon containers on your counter. Some effective options include:

  • Lemongrass.
  • Basil.
  • Rosemary.
  • Garlic chives.

You can even grow catnip to get rid of mosquitoes and make your cats happy while they are spending time indoors.

Concoct Your Own Repellent Spray

Essential oils smell great, and mosquitoes don't like the smell of many of them. So putting these essential oils on your skin will keep flying pests away from your skin. You can rub a variety of oils directly on yourself, but you may find that your skin gets too oily.

Concocting your own homemade repellent spray provides an easy-to-use solution that won't irritate your skin and doesn't have all the questionable ingredients in it that commercial products tend to include. Here's what you'll need:

  • 1 reusable spray bottle.
  • ½ tsp citronella essential oil.
  • ½ tsp lavender essential oil.
  • ½ tsp rosemary essential oil.
  • ½ tsp peppermint essential oil.
  • 1 tbsp vegetable glycerin.
  • ¼ cup water.

Simply put all of the oils, the glycerin, and the water in your spray bottle, close the lid, and shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds so the oils combine. It's ready for use right away! This spray can be used on your pets too.

Make Some Potpourri for the House

Making some potpourri for the house is an excellent way to enhance the overall smell of each room they're hanging in, and will keep mosquitoes outside and off your skin. Simply fill mesh bags with dried flowers and tie the openings closed with ribbon before hanging them in various places within your home. Some flowers you'll want to use in your potpourri bags include:

  • Marigolds.
  • Ageratum.
  • Horsemint.
  • Lavender.

You can infuse extra pest repellent power into your potpourri bags by spraying them with your homemade repellent spray before hanging them up.

Create Repellent Décor for the Patio

Mosquitoes can keep you from enjoying your patio as often as you like, but with the right décor techniques you can turn your outdoor space into a mosquito free zone to relax in without having to burn any toxic mosquito coils. There is no need to buy expensive commercial products – try a few of these options:

  • Hang mosquito repelling plants in colorfully weaved pot hangers and treat the hangers with repellent spray.
  • Make a table centerpiece by pouring mosquito repelling essential oils in a glass diffuser and lighting a candle under it to heat the oils up and improve the ambience.
  • Decorate a mosquito zapper by putting a large glass lamp shade over it.
  • Cover side tables with tablecloths washed with several drops of citronella essential oil.

Turning a fan on in your outdoor space will help circulate air and drive mosquitoes, flies, and other flying pests away.

These ideas will keep your skin from itching, burning, and turning red without having to keep your house locked up tight.