Organic Ways To Repel Mosquitoes

Everyone hates Mosquitoes, unless you’re some weirdo with a fetish for the dart-like demons… if so, you might want to stop reading now.  If you are like us, come summertime, fighting those bloodsuckers is just something you have to do.  At least if you want a comfortable place to hang out with friends on a warm summer day.  The reason we started looking for natural or organic ways to repel mosquitoes, is because of a few things.  Two reasons really.

We are always looking for a “greener” way to do things, and usually half the time that “greener” way is cheaper in the long run as a bonus.  Then the second reason being that… well, a no-brainer here – we don’t want the pests around when we have get-togethers or when we are enjoying our lives outside on the weekends.  Respectable reasons, and reasons you are likely here reading this now.

Now lets get down to it. We are early enough in the year that starting now and building a fortress around your house, can guard you and your loved ones from mosquitoes.  Not just any fortress, one that is functional, eco-friendly and affordable.  Cheap & organic… and good looking?  No way.

Yes way.

What are the easiest methods, cheapest methods and most effective methods to repel mosquitoes?

Don’t get mosquitoes in the first place. Simple as that.  Leaving that 5 gallon bucket of rainwater by the shop for 2 weeks is not being all that effective is it?  Nope.  Get rid of the things causing mosquitoes now.  Kick over buckets; put things under a roof of some kind.  Mow your grass, tame your weedy areas.  What more do you want me to say? Stop breeding mosquitoes and start enjoying your yards more often.  The more you enjoy them, the better you will keep them.  The better you keep them, the less likely you will have mosquitoes.  Go kick a bucket over already.  What are you waiting for?

Some of the easiest locations for mosquitoes to multiply:

Old tires – can you say the top of the top of mosquito friendly habitats?  Warm, wet, dark and stale… a perfect storm if you will.  Make sure to recycle your old tires as soon as they get taken off.  You aren’t going to use it… seriously.  Do something crafty with it and turn it into a tire planter or something.  Just don’t leave it out back to be a mosquito haven that will piss of your whole neighborhood.

Buckets, buckets & more buckets – you left it out while washing the car and now it has green water and a community’s worth of mosquitoes in it.  Put it up already!  At least kick it over so they can die already.  Throw some vinegar in there; kill those suckers before they get in my back yard!

Wheel barrel – most people have one, and lots of those people leave it right side up.  Meaning it turns into a swimming pool of water where mosquitoes slim laps to build strong muscles to suck your blood with.  Good work, your making Amazon strength mosquitoes.  **High 5**

High grass, weedy & overgrown areas – dudes… you’re not ever going to mow that side patch of grass by the power line?  Really…  your just going to leave it?  Thanks for providing the state with a population’s worth of mosquitoes.  How thoughtful of you.  Get in there and get it controlled, so you don’t have to worry about it!

Rain gutters – clean your gutters!  You keep walking around your backyard looking for that bed of mosquitoes and it is right above your head the whole time.  Dirty gutters catch water, instead of directing it where it needs to go.  Pooling water will hatch mosquitoes… so clean them!

Swimming pool covers – why don’t you just fold it up like a normal person?  Instead you pile it over in the corner of your yard and everyone wonders why it looks like they have the measles when they leave your swimming pool party.  That thing offers a perfect environment for mosquito breeding.  Put it up and then use it when you are done with your pool… or you will get “skeeters” in there too!

Now taking care of most of these issues will cut the number of mosquitoes you will be fighting this summer down considerably.  I mean think about it… last year that bucket was breeding them, that overgrown alley… you cleaned the gutters already this year, you will be in good shape.  Make sure this is step one in your quest to repel mosquitoes organically.

What kind of plants will repel mosquitoes naturally?

Great question, even better answers.  You like a nice tomato basil soup?  You love your lemongrass tea?  Well you will enjoy them even more when you start growing them yourself and scaring off those pesky mosquitoes.  There are several natural mosquito repellants that you can grow around your yard.  Let’s break down which ones do what…

Types of natural mosquito repelling plant:

Basil – we told you, basil is not just good in your pasta dish… it is good to keep those pests at bay come summertime.  Plant them in small table height planters and watch them be decorative & handy as a repellant.  With several different colors and types, it is easy to find basil that fits your theme.  These plants grow big pillow-y leaves and smell awesomely herbal.

Lemongrass – This cheap easily grown grass is a great deterrent for mosquitoes and can be used for teas and for flavoring on different dishes.  You can’t eat your OFF!  So this is definitely a plus.  Lemongrass is a nice plant to pot and have in corners and as an accent plant to put around the patio.

Citronella Plant/Grass – We have all burned the candles, why not grow the plant? Cut out the middle man and get one of these guys growing so you can ward off mosquitoes before they start biting your guests!  Look around, they now have the “Mosquito Plants” for sale that are a form of citronella.  This is the natural version pictured to the left, however there are a few variations sold as citronella.

Rosemary – Everyone has used rosemary at one time or another in the kitchen, but to repel mosquitoes… you must be crazy.  Think again.  This handy herb can put some zing in a pork chop and take the sting out of the summer by running of mosquitoes.  Not only that, it looks great while doing it!  See the picture to the right and you will notice some rosemary trimmed into decorative bushes.

Catnip – It isn’t just for cat toys anymore.  This plant, we are finding out… is more powerful at repelling mosquitoes than DEET!  Be sure to plant some in and around your patio or pool area to keep those biting bugs away.  Of course if you keep some of this handy and dry it out, you can give it to your kitties when you need to occupy them for about a MILLION HOURS!

Marigolds – These plants have a smell that tends to chase off anyone and anything for that matter.  Used to keep some bugs away from gardens, this flower will do the same for your mosquito problem.  Plant them around and enjoy their blooms as well.  They look beautiful in pots, so stick these in corners and around your patio for a hint of color.

Garlic – Garlic has been used to repel tons of varieties of pests for years, so it is no surprise that it ends up on our list.  This plant is not only useful to keep those stingers at bay… but you can also pop it out of the ground, let it dry and use it in the kitchen!  Garlic is a great companion plant for some problem plants, so check to see where you can grow this to not only benefit your patio area or backyard, but also to benefit your other plants!

Tansies – These flowers, often called “mums” are beautiful to spread around a patio or garden area – but not only do they provide color (pink, yellow, red just to name a few); these guys will keep you from slapping yourself all weekend while at the pool.  Use tansies here and there to add color to your patio area.  Remember you can use these in vases when they are in bloom to spruce up your house as well.

You never had a clue there were that many plants that you see and use on a daily basis that you can use to fight mosquitoes in your patio or garden this summer… did you?  Nope.  You were going to go grab a OFF! fogger and hit the yard a few times and then next weekend do the same thing… until finally you give up and they ‘skeeters’ have their way with you and your party guests.

Not cool.

What ways can you incorporate plants into your patio or backyard that repel mosquitoes?

Simple.  The same way you incorporate plants that don’t.  Pots, hanging baskets, planters… you name it.  Treat them no different than any other plant you would plant around your patio.  Make it festive by adding some colorful tansies or just keep it simple and green with all the grass and long bladed goodies that are listed above.  A lot of these plants bloom and so working them in is a breeze.

We have planned to use basil in small pots or planters in and around our patio.  Basil is a great way to give a boring table a nice pick me up, not to mention they have a nice herb-a-licious smell that some people will die for.  Then when you make your next pot of tomato basil soup, run out and pick fresh basil from those same pots!  Easy & convenient!

This summer when you are fighting the fight for mosquitoes, be sure to take preventative measures this spring by tipping over buckets, recycling old tires and other simple methods.  This will keep your backyard parties… well it will keep them as parties, instead of them turning into a mosquito bloodbath.  Also, by planting a few plants – you can be sure that the mosquitoes will join your neighbors party instead of yours.  The art of repelling mosquitoes doesn’t have to be ugly, with these tips you can make it functional and beautiful.

Be sure to share this with your friends, no one should be suffering this Summer due to mosquitoes – and you can email this in about 1/2 a minute.  Also feel free to Digg this article, Mixx this article, StumbleUpon this article and any other methods you find useful to sharing information.

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Also, if you are looking for organic ways to treat ants and ant mounds, look no further – Double Danger has you covered.  Read our 10 Organic Ways to Control Ants article today!