Ways to reduce the mosquito population around your house
- Mosquitoes require water to breed. Try to remove any standing water that may be in your living area. Store anything (such as kid's pools, buckets, wheelbarrows, etc.) that can contain water upside down.
- If you own an ornamental pond, put goldfish or other small minnows in it. These fish will eat the mosquito larvae.
- Change the water in a bird bath at least once a week to remove the stagnant water.
- Insure that your room and gutters are free of debris and are disposing of water efficiently.
- Put up a birdhouse for birds that eat mosquitoes. Examples of birds that eat mosquitoes are swallows or purple-martins.
- Install window screens and repair any that have holes in them.
- Use citronella candles and lanterns whenever you are outside, especially at dusk.
- Eat garlicky foods if you expect exposure to mosquitoes. Scientists aren't sure why but the fact that that garlic repels mosquitoes has much evidence to support it.
Ways to repel mosquitoes safely
- Use an insect repellant that contains DEET, but not too high a concentration. DEET is a highly effective insect repellant but can cause an allergic reaction or even neurological issues in children if misused.
- Look for a product that contains less than 35% DEET. When applying to children, apply a layer of sunscreen prior to applying the repellant. This will create a layer between the skin and the repellant.
- Try rubbing vinegar or a whole onion plant on your skin. If you combine this with the garlic approach you won't have to worry about people bothering you either!
- Try Skin-So-Soft by Avon. This bath oil was not manufactured to be an insect repellant and they don't advertise it as such, but some non scientific testing has shown it to be effective against mosquitoes.
- Avoid the bug zappers. Studies have them to have no effect on the number of bites a person might get. In fact, the light might actually attract more insects.
Good luck avoiding the bites and Happy Summer.
