Mosquitoes certainly know how to ruin a pleasant fall evening. Avoid them by using one or all these unique (and highly effective) tips for how to keep mosquitoes away. There is nothing like a cooler, autumn night gathered around a campfire or hanging on the porch, enjoying the cool breeze after a long hot day. The only downside? Mosquitoes! Those pesky bugs can easily ruin a fun night spent outdoors.
By doing a bit of preventive mosquito care now, you can enjoy your outdoor space into the evenings. Although there are the typical ways for how to keep mosquitoes away (like using DEET), there are a few unique hacks that can help your mosquito-blocking efforts even further. Check out the following tips for how to keep mosquitoes away.
Keep Mosquitoes Away from the House: Remove Water Sources
Having accessible water sources around your home will draw in mosquitoes. Why? Because mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing or slow-moving water. By eliminating these water sources, you are cutting the number of mosquitoes laying eggs around your home—and in return, having fewer mosquitoes around the house in general.
Now water can accumulate around your home easier than you think. Some of the biggest culprits of water sources include unused tires, buckets, pools, and toys. Any plastic containers or ceramic pots for planting that are empty and collect water should be removed. Make sure to clean out your gutters as much as possible and always keep an eye out for water build up around the house. Bird baths are also an easy target for mosquitoes!
Keep Mosquitoes Away from You: Avoid Scented Body Products
Although some scents work as a repellent for mosquitoes, other body lotions or perfumes can attract these pests. The best thing to do is stay away from fancy smelling perfumes, colognes, body washes, or lotions if you plan on spending time outside during high mosquito activity hours. These hours are typically dusk to dawn between April and October.
Keep Mosquitoes from Biting You: Lemon Eucalyptus Oil and Light-Colored Clothing
It is inevitable that one or two of these airborne pests are going to find their way to your skin at some point this fall. If they do, your protection does not have to end there.
It turns out, mosquitoes are attracted to darker colored materials. As for the length of clothing, if you can cover up, you should do so. Wearing long sleeves and pants will significantly reduce the number of mosquito bites you accumulate by the end of the evening.
If they are still attracted to you even after you are clad in your lightest and brightest, there is one more line of defense you can trust. It may sound like a myth, but oil from lemon eucalyptus is an effective and safe insect repellent. It does not just have to be DEET! If you are looking for a more natural remedy for how to keep mosquitoes away, this oil will do the trick. Mosquito bracelets, clip-ons and patches work well, too.
We hope these easy to do tips are helpful at keeping the fun in your outdoor BBQs and relaxing on your porch in the evenings while keeping mosquitoes away!
