I read this article last week and loved it so I thought I’d share. Yes, in some areas of the country it’s Fall and, believe me, I’M READY FOR FALL. But these crazy critters are still lurking….waiting for you to come outside on a warm evening so they can sink their proboscis in you.
7 Ways Not to Get Mosquito Bites
None of which involve DEET
Things in life that aren’t fair: the American prison system, Jennifer Aniston’s love life and the fact that in a backyard full of people, you seem to be the only one who gets covered in welty, gross mosquito bites. Here, seven creative ways to keep those suckers at bay–without resorting to the DEET.
LET YOUR GARDEN GROW
Lemongrass, citronella, and lavender are great natural mosquito controls. Plant them directly in the ground or in pretty planters in places where guests gather.
LAY A TRAP
And no we don’t mean the electric bug zapper. A patio egg is a ceramic diffuser that soaks up lemongrass oil and repels insects for up to four months. Bonus: It smells lovely.
TAKE A BATH
Instead of spraying yourself with the icky stuff, try taking a bath with a few drops of citronella oil or Avon Skin So Soft. Then, when you head outdoors in the a.m., you’ll automatically turn off insects.
LIGHT A FIRE
Yes, those summertime fire pits are great for ambiance, but they can also keep pests away–just add a bit of smoking sage to the pit and…see ya, mosquitoes.
HANG WATER BAGS
Hear us out: Filling sandwich bags halfway with water and placing a few copper pennies at the bottom honestly works. Hang the bags close to your doorway to keep bugs from entering your home–the water refracts light and confuses those stupid guys into flying in the wrong direction.
RAID YOUR LAUNDRY ROOM
Dryer sheets are made up of chemicals that gnats and mosquitoes don’t like, so placing one (or two) in your pocket naturally makes them stay away.
EAT MORE GARLIC
It’s a doozy, but eating or swallowing garlic pills gives you a repelling scent that not even Mr. Skeeter appreciates. (Just make sure your loved ones aren’t also repelled.)
I love these ideas! I DO have one more thing to add that probably wasn’t as popular when the post was written as it is now. I’m just learning about essential oils but here are a few that supposedly help with mosquitoes and outdoor bugs in general….
citronella
eucalyptus
lemongrass
tea tree
peppermint
cypress
rose geranium
bergamot
lemon
If you want to find out more about essential oils, head on over to JOYfull Inspirations and let Tisha tell you all you need to know!
Original post and photos from PureWow.com