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How To Deter Mosquitoes From Patio

Add Mint To Your Floral Arrangements To Keep Flies Away From Food

Do tiki torches work? How to repel mosquitoes outside

Flies dont like the smell of mint. One way to use mint as a fly repellent in your outdoor party is by adding mint leaves to the floral arrangements at your outdoor party. Mint leaves can tastefully be included in floral arrangements then strategically placed near the food. Make several floral arrangements place one mint floral arrangement on the buffet table and another mint floral arrangement as a centerpiece on the outdoor dinner table. The mint in these floral arrangements will keep flies away from the food at your outdoor party.

Magnetic Screen Door With Heavy Duty Mesh Curtain $23

Let cool breezes in while keeping insects outside with this Magnetic Screen Door from Homitt. Made with heavy duty mesh and built-in magnetic and extra gravity sticks, this ingenious mesh screen door is easy to install and remove as needed and makes the perfect addition to patio and kitchen doors.

“To keep the flys out and still maintain a fairly open walkway, we used this screen door and it works like a charm,” says Chris B. in his product review.

Risks Associated With Mosquitoes

Other than the simple fact that theyre a nuisance to families trying to enjoy the outdoors, there are a number of reasons why youd want to keep mosquitoes out of your yard. First, its common knowledge that they can carry pathogens that may cause diseases like West Nile. Additionally, they can carry and transmit parasites that may cause heartworms in dogs.


Second, their bites can result in itching and welts. Heat, sweat, dark-colored clothing and the CO2 that mammals exhale when breathing may attract mosquitoes. Using a repellent thats recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can help prevent mosquito bites.

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Effective Ways How To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Deck Patio Porch And Pool

It seemed like a beautiful day to spend in the backyard, relaxing by the pool, enjoying the nice sunlight while sprawled out on the patio. Unfortunately, I wasnt the only one who had that idea.

Before long, the mosquitoes knew I was there, and their feast had begun. Its amazing how quickly they multiply, and a swarm of mosquitoes can ruin almost any outdoor fun. So, I set out on a mission to figure out how to rid myself and my backyard of these pesky blood-suckers.

Of course, Im not the only one who has had trouble figuring out how to keep mosquitoes away from the deck, which is why Im sharing my findings with you. Hopefully, the solutions Ive found will help rid you of these pests, so we can all enjoy a nice afternoon out at the pool.


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Who This Is For

Best Mosquito Repellant Plants for your backyard garden ...

Everyone should have an interest in avoiding mosquito bites. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vectorborne diseases are a large and growing public health problem in the United States. This category includes diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as West Nile virus and Zika. As we found in research for our guide to the best bug repellent and confirmed again in the research for this guide, the best course of prevention is to use an effective spray repellent.

This guide is for those timesthe many timeswhen covering yourself head to toe in bug spray isnt practical. We wanted to find a product that would effectively reduce mosquito bites when youre hosting a backyard barbeque, lounging on the patio, or having a picnic in a park. Most people occasionally want to enjoy an outdoor space without being bitten, and without having to deal with applying a spray repellentour objective for this guide was to find something that would make that possible.

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Spray Mouthwash Around Your Patio

If you dont have rubbing alcohol or essential oils, an alcohol-based mouthwash can be another effective way to repel bugs from a patio. Just load some mouthwash into a spray bottle, then spray down the perimeter of the deck, or even your patio furniture. This can repel bugs and leave a pleasant scent, but the rapid evaporation of alcohol means that regular reapplication may be necessary.


Create Bug Repellent Luminaries

Make a homemade mosquito repellent with luminaries made from Mason jars and essential oils. They are easy to make and are excellent for repelling mosquitoes outdoors.

Not only are these perfect for repelling mosquitoes and other flying pests during the summer, but they also increase the ambiance of your outdoor living area. Heres how to make bug repellent luminaries.

  • Floating tea light candles

Slice the lemons and limes with a small knife and set aside. Separate the rosemary and place two sprigs in each jar. Fill the jars 3/4 full of water. Add the oils to the jars, using ten drops for each jar.

Add a slice of lemon and a slice of lime to each jar. Place a floating candle on top of the water. Add a little more water if needed.

Once you put the ingredients in the jar, put them outside, and light them to keep mosquitoes away. Replace the tea lights as needed, and discard the fruit and liquid every few days.


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Block Them Outor Blow Them Away

A screen patio enclosure is a great physical barrier for keeping mosquitoes and other critters out.

You just want to dine al fresco, but dozens of uninvited guests have arrived at your meal. Keeping mosquitoes out of your home space may feel difficult, but its surely not impossible.

Invest in some screening for your porch, and, if you already have screens, ensure they fit securely and have no holes. If you cant install screening, this mosquito netting patio umbrella is a great option for easy and portable protection from mosquitoes while relaxing outdoors.

Another good preventative measure is outfitting your backyard dining area with a fan or two, because mosquitoes are weak flyers and often have difficulty navigating against an airstream, according to Joe Conlon, Technical Advisor for the American Mosquito Control Association.


Plants To Grow To Help Keep Mosquitoes Away

How to Repel Mosquitoes from your Garden !

5 Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away

The pungent smell released by marigolds is extremely bothersome to mosquitoes. Even better, that same scent also happens to repel a lot of other annoying pests and insects too!

Grow as a border planting along decks an patios to help keep them out of entertaining spaces. Or, plant directly into pots and containers to add color and protection nearby.

Talk about a beautiful way to repel mosquitoes! The scent of marigolds is offensive to mosquitoes, and to many other common pests as well.

Marigolds come in so many different shapes and sizes, and bring loads of color to planters, gardens and flowerbeds. Varieties of French Marigolds are some of the most effective marigolds at repelling pests.

Even better, they can be easily started from seed, making them extremely economical. Simply save seed heads from year to year, and you will have more than enough to plant again and again!


Nasturtiums 5 Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away

Nasturtiums are another great annual flower for gardens and flowerbeds when it comes to controlling all types of pests. One of which, of course, happens to be mosquitoes!

Nasturtium varieties bloom in a beautiful array of red, orange and yellow colors. They are also highly economical and easy to grow. Most varieties will germinate and grow quickly from seed planted directly in pots or the ground.

Citronella 5 Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away

Oregano 5 Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away

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Why Is Deet Banned

The state first tried to ban products containing more than 30 percent DEET in 1992, but the chemical manufacturers obtained a restraining order. Kim said a 1991 review found many cases where high DEET concentrations were linked to severe skin reactions and neurological problems including seizures. via

How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes Naturally And Reclaim Your Backyard

  • University of North Carolina
  • Brevard College

Treehugger / Caitlin Rogers


Ahhhh. The sounds of summer: the crash of ocean waves, the crackle and bang of Fourth of July fireworks, the sizzle of burgers on the grill.

Unfortunately, the sounds of summer also include the whine of pesky mosquitoes. But there’s plenty you can do to turn down the volume of that buzz so you can enjoy the lazy, hazy days of summer.

Learning how to get rid of mosquitoes naturally is important beyond ensuring a comfortable backyard cookout. Mosquitoes present a health risk to everyone in the family even Fido. Mosquito-borne diseases which kill more than one million people worldwide every year include malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis and, more commonly in the United States, West Nile virus. Mosquitoes also carry heartworm, a life-threatening disease for dogs.

So, its worth the effort to control mosquitoes around your house and to reduce your risk of getting bit. Here are some tips for backyard mosquito control:

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Keep Your Yard Trimmed

During warm weather, mosquitoes like to cool off in tall grass or brush. If you go long periods of time without mowing your lawn or you allow weeds to pop up in thick patches, you are creating the perfect hiding places for mosquitoes to rest when they are seeking out somewhere safe to cool off. You can fix this by remember to mow your lawn regularly, using a weed wacker to keep unwanted plants at bay, and trimming any bushes or trees that may be growing unruly. Keeping your yard neatly trimmed will also allow the sun to dry up any wet spots or puddles that may arise.

Keep The Yard Well Trimmed

Repel Mosquitoes Naturally

Mosquitoes love the shady areas caused by the overgrowth. Bushes, long grass, and overgrown trees all make excellent hiding places for mosquitoes on hot summer days when they need a respite from the sun.

One sure way to get rid of many of these pests is to trim up those hedges, bushes, and other greenery, eliminating their hiding places and ensuring they have nowhere comfortable to reside in your yard.

But dont stop there! Take a look at your nearest neighbors yards as well. If theyre overgrown and providing plenty of refuge for mosquitoes, then you may want to bring up the idea to them as well. If everyone gets on board and trims their yards, the mosquitoes will have nowhere in the vicinity to roost!

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Murphys Natural Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks

Keep mosquitoes at bay with Murphys mosquito repellent incense sticks. The sticks are made with natural ingredients, such as citronella, rosemary and peppermint, all of which repel bugs. Each stick provides around two-and-a-half hours of mosquito protection in a 12-foot radius, working well enough to attract thousands of fans on Amazon.

They work much better than the other citronella sticks, writes one Amazon buyer. They are shorter and thicker but burn longer . You can smell the essential oils rather than just a burning odor. Mosquitoes are persistent, so these work best when you keep one burning. When that one goes out, light another.

via naturesmace.com

Clean Garbage Cans Thoroughly And Frequently

This is by far the biggest attractor of flies. This is where flies will lay their eggs to hatch out into those nasty maggots that make all of us gag just a little. The most important thing you can do is keep your garbage cans clean. Hard Money Property says that cities with high humidity and populations such as Miami, Florida struggled with this. Outside garbage cans that have even a little bit of decaying matter in them will be enough to attract flies. Clean all garbage cans thoroughly and frequently.

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How To Eliminate Mosquitoes Naturally From Your Backyard And Patio

Posted on Last updated:

By: Author TIMG

What can I do to help eliminate mosquitoes naturally from ruining my evening outdoor activities at my house?

That recent question is one we receive quite regularly to the blog. Especially as the heat and humidity of summer bring on these annoying and harmful pests in record numbers.

Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, but a health risk as well.

Their painful bites can carry a near encyclopedia-long list of diseases, including encephalitis, West Nile virus, malaria and yellow fever.

And beyond that, the welts they leave in their wake cause scratching and itching that can nearly drive you crazy.

But there are ways to deter and help eliminate mosquitoes naturally from your backyard and patio areas.

Lets take a look at 4 of the best!

How To Keep Mosquitoes Away From You: Avoid Scented Body Products

How to Get Rid of & Kill Mosquitoes in the Yard – Outdoor Mosquito Control

Although some scents work as a repellent for mosquitoes, other body lotions or perfumes can actually 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.

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Use Insect Repellent If You Need To

Treehugger / Jordan Provost

Not everyone is a fan of bug spray, but sometimes, you need it when dealing with mosquitoes. Just breathing will draw mosquitoes to you. Mosquitoes are attracted to, among other things, the heat from our bodies and the carbon dioxide in our breath.

Richard Pollack, a Senior Public Health Officer at the Harvard School of Public Health and advisor to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, tells ABC News that mosquitoes are able to determine where their target is by following exhale trails.

“If you were to exercise vigorously, you would produce more carbon dioxide for a brief period,” Pollack says. “You might perhaps be a little more attractive to mosquitoes.”

If you’re being bitten, your options are to stop breathing or to go inside. Or, you can just make yourself less attractive to the thirsty bloodsuckers.

There are a number of proven-effective insect repellants that provide hours of protection. There are four repellants that have been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency : DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535, an amino acid that interferes with mosquitoes’ sense of smell. The EPA considers DEET and picaridin “conventional repellents” and oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 as “biopesticide repellents,” which are made from natural materials.

The EPA offers these guidelines for the safe use of insect repellents:

Technique : Prevent The Fly Return

Once you have successfully given the notorious flies a heave-ho, the last thing you wouldnt want is to see their back again on the patio or your outdoor space. So, discourage their return with the following steps.

  • Clean home, a better environment, and boost hygiene- remember the saying. It implies that a clean patio surrounding will keep the flies away. So, after a late-night party, always tidy up the clutters, leftovers, and other items. You can place a trash bin around the patio with a tight lid so people can throw their used items in it.
  • If you arent fearful of the presence of a spider, em, these are the best natural repelling agent to keep the flies away- without a cost! You just need to ardently make sure that the spider web doesnt come across your walkaway. The hungry arachnids have particular devouring for flies.
  • Why dont you be a nature enthusiast? Ah, em, you can surround the patio corners with potted herbs. It briefly includes basil, mint, lavender, and more! Flies have a strong apathy for them and wont stay around the space once they identify the herbs smell.
  • Flies sway in where there are stagnant water sources such as puddles, or soggy patches. The stagnancy takes place often right after you use a hose to clean the patio floor, and it leaves away few water patches. So, make sure you remove the water before it invites the unwanted guests- the flies.
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    Does Coconut Oil Repel Mosquitoes

    The study found that fatty acids derived from coconut oil had long-lasting insect-repelling properties against flies, ticks, bed bugs and mosquitoes. Lead researcher Junwei Zhu notes that compounds extracted from coconut oil not the oil itself were found as an effective repellent, according to a USDA release. via

    Why Are There So Many Flies Outside My House

    How to Prevent Mosquitoes

    Flies are active from spring through fall, with their peak activity during summer. Female flies generally lay more than 100 eggs after mating, and those eggs spawn into larvae in less than 8 hours if the weather is warm enough. Adult flies have a maximum life cycle of 3 months.

    If you have a fly problem, you need to look for the breeding source. Find and remove what is attracting them to your home, both indoors and out. House flies are attracted to garbage and organic waste matter. They land on those things and then contaminate everything else they land on. So, get rid of the reason theyre hanging around, and youll know how to get rid of flies from your home.

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    Get Patio Plants To Keep Bugs Away

    Nature has provided plants with a variety of natural defenses to repel insects, but theres no one perfect solution to using plants to keep bugs at bay. You would need to use fairly specific patio plants to keep bugs away, depending on the pests youre most concerned about. For example, ants avoid chrysanthemums, flies steer clear of basil, and moths are not fond of lavender.

    To keep mosquitos away from your patio or deck, you can use:

    • Rosemary
    • Basil
    • Citronella

    Keep in mind, while a lemon scent can repel mosquitos, it might entice bees. That means a little planning is necessary. But with some thought, this can be a helpful, natural way to keep bugs away.


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