Best Mosquito Repellents for Your Yard

The key to eliminating mosquitoes from your home is to prevent them from breeding. If you live in an area susceptible to infestations, do not wait until the mosquitoes have bred and established in your yard or home before attempting to eliminate them. If you have even spent time in an area teeming with mosquitoes, you might know how annoying these insects can be. They cause misery to people at home.

Beyond the annoying and painful bites of mosquitoes, mosquitoes are vectors for harmful pathogens such as the Zika virus – a threat to humans. With the epidemiological range of mosquitoes increasing by the day, we expect mosquitoes to spread rampantly worldwide. The rising global temperatures create favorable habitats for mosquitoes, enabling them to establish new areas and spread disease. I do not intend to alarm you, but it would be good to invest in the best mosquito repellent to prevent such infestations and stay healthy.

Before we review the plethora of mosquito repellents available in the market, let us learn more about mosquitoes. Let us check out how they grow and proliferate to understand how to control them well.

Mosquitoes | Best Mosquito Repellent for Your Yard

The breakout of a deadly disease can cause panic faster than other issues all over the world. Mosquitoes, for instance, are among the most proficient carriers of diseases, making them feared globally. Whenever scientists figure out how to deal with one of its pathogens, it picks up another even more deadly one, creating a vicious cycle of infection.

Part of our fear of mosquitoes stems from misinformation or a lack of information. Most of us know mosquitoes as being tiny winged insects that such the blood of humans. To us, they are reincarnated vampires, only smaller. To cure such notions, it is best to understand its biology.

What is A Mosquito?

A mosquito is a small midge-like insect from the Culicidae family. Does that sound complicated? Let me simplify this a bit.

The word mosquito has Spanish origins. Translated, it refers to a ‘little” or “small” fly.

Scientists isolated the oldest known mosquito in an amber rock with carbon dating showing that it was around 79 million years old. Isolated in Canada, it has a striking resemblance to today’s mosquitoes.

Video | What if We Killed All Mosquitoes?

While the 79-year-old mosquito is the most known, some scientists have reported findings mosquitoes dating up to 100 million years. Even though the mosquitoes had primitive features, they also bore a striking resemblance to today’s mosquitoes, which are terrorizing homes.

This data shows one thing – mosquitoes have been around for ages.

The Female Mosquito

The female mosquito is the most important from an infectious disease perspective. It is of the greatest concern to medics and everyday Joes alike as it is responsible for spreading harmful infectious diseases. While both male and female mosquitoes are ectoparasites, only the female mosquitoes bit humans and suck their blood for egg maturation.

Why is this so? The answer lies in the structure of the mouthparts of the mosquitoes. Unlike the female mosquitos, whose mouthparts are suitable for biting and penetrating the skin, male mosquitos suck juices. Therefore, male mosquitos will never bite you nor suck your blood.

The female mosquitos need the blood of animals – mostly vertebrates – for egg nourishment. These animals include mammals such as humans and cows, birds, reptiles, and some fish. However, recent studies have also reported incidental attacks on invertebrates, chiefly arthropods.

While most female mosquitoes such blood, the females of a number of species mosquitoes do not suck blood at all.

You should also know that the female mosquito does not feed humans’ blood for fun or their own sake. Like the male mosquito, female mosquitos derive nourishment and energy from plant sap and nectar. However, they need blood for egg maturation. The protein in blood is a rich source of nourishment for their eggs. They do everything to get it.

Mosquito Magnet | High-Tech Mosquito Trap

Did you know that female mosquito prefer some blood groups? Yes! The female mosquito prefers to feed on the ‘O’ blood group. Heavy breathers, pregnant women, and people with high body heat or bacteria on the skin are also more likely to attract mosquitoes than others are.

While most of us have suffered mosquito bites at some point in life, people who met the above threshold have had it worse than all of us.

Host-specific feeding is a common phenomenon. Female mosquitoes prefer certain hosts to others. If there is a lot of competition for blood, their preference for different hosts and blood groups ceases. Instead, the mosquito will hunt for blood from all sources without being fussy in a ‘Survival of the fittest’ kind of way. To date, mosquitoes have survived for millions of years, leaving no doubt, about how strong the insects are.

Mosquito Life Cycle

Like other flies, the mosquito has its unique life cycle. The lifecycle is in four main stages, as elucidated below.

• Egg
• Larva
• Pupa
• Adult

The Mosquito Egg

The female mosquito lays its eggs in stagnant water. During this process, the mosquito has two choices: lay eggs on aquatic plants or the edge of small pools where water is shallow. However, wherever a female chooses to lay eggs is a non-issue; both are in ‘shallow water.’

Different species of mosquitoes have different preferences as far as the water body to lay their eggs. Some like lakes, while others like small puddles of water. A few species use salt marshes. The widespread use of different water sources by different mosquito species makes them a hardy batch of insects, which might take a lot of effort to eliminate.

If you watch the egg-laying process by a female mosquito, you will notice that it skims the surface of water, bobbing up and down as it lays one egg at a time – a process commonly referred to as dapping.

The Larvae

This is the second stage of the lifecycle of mosquitoes. “Larva’ hatches from the fertile eggs of mosquitoes. This simple living organism has a well-developed head with mouth brushes, specifically developed to help the larvae feed. The rest of the larvae’s body comprises a thorax and a segmented abdomen. In this developmental stage, the mosquito (larvae) does not have legs or wings.

However, the larvae have spiracles on the abdomen for breathing. While in water, they rise to the surface occasionally to breathe.

The larvae get their nourishment from microbes, algae, and bacteria present in water. While algae spend most of their lifespan close to the surface of water, they might dive deep in water if they feel threatened.

The Pupa

The Pupa is the third stage of the lifecycle of mosquitos. From the side, the pupa has a coma shape. The head merges with the thorax while the abdomen curls underneath. This is what creates the curved shape.

The pupa is a fast/rigorous swimmer due to the shape of its abdomen. It generated a robust flapping motion that propels to pupa through the water forward. Like the larvae, pupas do not swim for fun, though. They have to find food and break the surface of the water often to breathe.

Pupa can swim on the surface of still water issue-free. However, when the water is choppy, the pupa will swim to deeper waters for safe. This life stage lasts for a few minutes before the adult mosquito emerges.

The Adult

The adult mosquito emerges from the pupa when the temperature is right. Now, the adult mosquito size that emerges varies from one area to the next depending on several factors. First, the density of larva in the water can influence the size of the mosquito that emerges. The availability of food in water is another well-known factor but is always dependent on the density of the larvae in the breeding site.

A large density of larva means that food will be scarce in the breeding site, increasing competition for the available resources.

The adult mosquitoes start mating a few days after emerging from the pupa. Overall, most adult male mosquitoes live for approximately five to seven days. Females live slightly longer as they have to bring forth the next generation of mosquitoes. During this time, the female mosquito sucks as much blood as possible to ensure that egg laying is seamless. These eggs are fully mature in two to three days, after which the mosquito lays them in water, as discussed prior. This cyclic process continues until the female mosquito dies in around two weeks. In captivity, however, female mosquitoes can live for up to a month.

Where Do Mosquitoes Live?

Mosquitoes need stagnant water to breed. Therefore, they can thrive in dark swamp environments or any area with stagnant water in the vicinity. These provide the best environment for mosquitoes to breed.

However, because mosquitoes are hardy creatures, they can survive in almost any environment, but humid and hot environments offer the best conditions for most mosquitoes’ survival.

To breed, all that a mosquito will need is an accessible stagnant water source. This can be fresh or polluted water depending on the mosquito species in question and can be a marsh or flood water.

In urban areas, the unchecked pools of water in open drains are among the commonest habitats for mosquitoes and, thus, a leading threat to health. Moreover, people living in areas that receive high rainfall every year are more susceptible to mosquito infestation because rain creates small puddles of stagnant water where mosquitoes thrive. Left unchecked, they are the second-best breeding site for mosquitoes.

Mosquito Bites

Many people fear mosquitoes because of their painful bite. The fear stems from the irritation caused by the bite and the high odd of transmission of harmful infectious diseases. Let us evaluate the biology of the mosquito bite to help you understand potential threats.

Colloquially, we say that the mosquito bites humans, but this is not always the case. Mosquitoes do not bite humans and other animals as it has a long and tubular mouthpiece that punctures the skin. The tubular mouthpiece, also called a proboscis, draws out the blood.

Once the proboscis has punctured the skin, the female mosquito looks for blood vessels. Once located, it releases saliva with an anticoagulant.

This saliva is essential to mosquitos as it contains anticoagulants that prevent blood from coagulating. As it feeds, blood does not clot in its proboscis, which is a major issue. Since the blood does not clot, the mosquito (female) gets enough blood for its eggs before flying off.

As the mosquito feeds, you might not be aware that it has bitten you and is feeding most of the time. However, unlike your mind that is blank, the body swings into action by activating your immune system.

The body perceives mosquitoes’ saliva as a foreign body because it is not part of your body and attempts to neutralize it by activating the immune system. To combat such foreign bodies, your immune system releases histamines, which migrate to the bite site. Once they reach the bite, they dilate blood vessels, causing the bite’s vicinity to swell. This swelling causes a bump and an itch, which you feel on your skin.

With your blood vessels swollen, they stimulate nerve endings in their vicinity. This causes an irritation that manifests as an itch. In a way, the immune system’s response mirrors that of other allergic reactions. The only difference is that the mosquito’s saliva is the stimulant in this case.

Mosquito Diseases

You should know that mosquitoes are not causative agents for diseases. They only act as vectors (also known as carriers) for disease-causing organisms. When female mosquitos are feeding on blood, they can pick up harmful causative organisms from their hosts’ blood. When they move to another host, they transmit the same microorganism via saliva or fecal matter, making them a perfect vector for many diseases.

Different species of mosquitos are vectors for different organisms. Therefore, if you know the mosquito-borne disease you are suffering from, you can know the species that bit you with a bit of research.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito, for instance, is an efficient vector for dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya virus. The Anopheles mosquito, on the other hand, transmits malaria. Another not so common mosquito-borne disease is lymphatic filariasis, widely referred to as Elephantiasis. Diverse species of mosquitoes can transmit Lymphatic filariasis, making it significantly different from other types discussed.

The Zika virus is the latest threat to humans as it also uses the female mosquito as a vector – predominantly Aedes mosquito. This increases the number of diseases that this species carries and transmits, making it a mosquito of medical and public health interest.

Vector-borne diseases pose different degrees of danger to humans. While malaria has a known cure, other diseases like Zika and Dengue do not. However, even though malaria has a cure, it still causes many deaths worldwide, mostly in Low to Medium Income countries. That is why the best management approach is to prevent rather than cure it.

Strange but True…

Scientists have found that Victoria’s Secret Bombshell perfume can repel mosquitoes better than DEET products such as the Repel 100 do. Yes, it is 100% true. Read the study.

Therefore, to smell good while repelling mosquitoes simultaneously, this is one of the best products to use.

Repelling Mosquitoes from Your Yard Naturally

Multiple techniques for repelling and getting rid of mosquitoes exist. Some people prefer using chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides. However, a few use natural methods to disrupt the life cycle of mosquitoes.

Clearing Stagnant Water from the Vicinity

Mosquitoes need stagnant water to have a complete life cycle. Without stagnant water, female mosquitoes lack a breeding site for their eggs, eliminating the next generation of mosquitoes. As such, draining stagnant water from your lawn or area is a simple yet effective solution.

Even though effective, this is easy to say than do. Mosquitoes can thrive in all pools of water up to four days old. Therefore, for the method to be effective, make sure that you eliminate all tiny water sources on your lawn and vicinity. If you live in an area with a hot climate but low humidity, you might be lucky. Check prominent spots where water stagnates at home and drain. Drains are the commonest.

Mosquito Bits | Kills Mosquito Larvae before Hatching

 

If your area received a lot of rainfall often, managing mosquito infestations could be a tad harder because you have to check the vicinity for pools and drain water to keep mosquitoes out. However, water can collect in virtually anything found around the home. Hollow logs, old cups, and unused swings, for instance, can collect rainwater whenever it rains, creating a breeding site for mosquitoes. Drain such sources.

Draining such sites can be difficult. Moreover, draining breeding sites can be impractical if you like close to water bodies such as lakes and ponds. Emptying a lake is unnecessary and impossible. However, it has the potential to become a good breeding site for mosquitoes.

Do not worry! To overcome such problems, we have other solutions.

Let the Hunter Be the Hunted

One of the easiest ways for controlling mosquitoes is to use a fast-breeding organism that eats one or more of their life stages. This strategy works well around homes with water bodies such as ponds or lakes that you cannot empty. Even though you cannot empty ponds and lakes, do not use harmful pesticides to control mosquito infestations.

By introducing a fish in a lake or pond, you can quickly solve the issue on a budget. The fish use mosquito larvae as a source of food, preventing them from reaching the adult stage. As such, even though female mosquitoes continue to lay eggs, the fish control their population.

Best Mosquito Traps and Repellents for the Yard

Sometimes fighting off mosquitoes requires a bit more effort than using only biological and conventional methods. At times, you will have to resort to commercial products to clear infestations fast. These are of many types, including natural and chemical ones. Here is how they work:

Black Flag 190107 Electric Insect Fogger

Requires fogging insecticide such as Black Flag (No-mix formula).

Features:

• Professional grade mosquito killing product.
• Repels and kills most flying and biting insects for 6 hours.
• Covers up to 5,000 square foot of space in under 10 minutes.
• You can enter the treated area safely in less than 5 minutes.
• Plug and use design is suitable for treating decks and patios.
• Note: Compatible with 10, 12 or 14-gauge extension cords.
• Portable propane-powered design that uses a tall canister.
• Dispenses a 10-foot cone of odorless fog that kills bugs.

Overview | Black Flag 190107 Electric Insect Fogger

Propane insect foggers are famous for two reasons – their portability and convenience. Most propane foggers do not need an electric source to work and are therefore portable. Even though they offer temporary results, they have gained popularity online because of their efficacy.

The weight of the device is also low, which boosts its portability. The customer reviews shared online show that the Black Flag 190107 Electric Insect Fogger weighs 4.1 pounds, making it light and easy to transport and use. Therefore, while in use to fog your backyard, you will never develop aching arms.

The Black Flag 190107 Electric Fogger is a robust insect fogger with a spacious fill reservoir. The larger fill reservoir enables you to cover a large area while spraying without refilling it frequently. Filled, you can spray your lawn for up to six hours at full power.

With the Black Flag 190107 Electric Insect Fogger, you can fumigate/fog areas measuring up to 5,000 square feet in less than five minutes. Set up correctly, it takes just five minutes to start producing fog, which is ideal. Once the fog has cleared, and mosquitoes are dead, you can occupy the area again.

Also, Burgess is an electric model (960 Model)

Features of the Burgess 960 Electric:

• An efficient system that professionals used to kills mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus and Zika Virus.
• Repels and kills most biting flies such as mosquitoes and other flying insects for six hours.
• Can treat around 5,000 square foot space in just 10 minutes.
• You can enter the treated areas safely after the fog disperses (generally less than 5 minutes).
• Fast and easy to use – just plug it in. It works on patios and decks.

You can learn more from our article specifically on Mosquito Foggers.

GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer | Natural Mosquito Trap

Main Features of the GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer.

The following features have made this device extremely popular:

• An environment-friendly product that does not require spraying of chemicals on large areas of land.
• It has an automatic filtration cycle. Therefore, you will only have to change its filters once a month.
• This silent machine has a responsive touchpad control panel.
• Durable, cordless, and portable design.

Download or View the GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer’s MANUAL.

Overview | GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer

The GreenStrike Mosquito preventer is a natural remedy for mosquitoes in homes that provides a suitable area for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. GreenStrike uses nontoxic lures to attract mosquitoes.

These lures have a simple mode of operation. By mimicking the composition of nutrients and proteins found in ponds, they lure female mosquitoes by creating a perfect breeding ground for depositing eggs.

Video | How It Works | GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer

Once in the device, the female mosquito lays her eggs in the lure without knowing the artificial pond has a filter. This filter traps and keeps mosquito eggs above water. By depriving them of water, the eggs die, ensuring that mosquitoes’ future generations do not emerge.

The GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer offers two lines of defense – the first being effective during the first thaw and the second in summer.

Cu Mosquito Lure

You should use this mosquito lure after the first thaw. The product is available in a sachet the size of a teabag. On the other hand, the entire kit includes a Cu Mosquito lure, landing strips, and the filter. Once set up, you will have an artificial pond that attracts and kills mosquitoes.

The artificial landing on the device provides mosquitoes a sturdy platform for landing, while the filter keeps the laid eggs out of water. However, you should replace this lure every 30 days to maximize killing. This ensures the GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer works seamlessly.

Video | Common Questions Answered

Ae Mosquito Lure

This liquid lure is one of the best to use during the summer months, as it is easy to use. For instance, like the Cu Mosquito lure, you receive a complete kit with a filter, a lure, and landing strips. This device’s functionality is comparable to the Cu Mosquito lure, apart from the fact that this lure works the best at the end of the mosquito season. Like the Cu Mosquito lure, you have to change this one every month too.

Learn more about the GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer’s test results.

Flowtron Bk-40d Electronic Mosquito Repellent

Features:

• The highly effective patented killing grid that does not clog.
• High-intensity ultraviolet (40 watts) bulb BF-190 black light.
• Transformer-based Vertical Rod killing grid.
• USDA tested Octenol attractant – a very efficient mosquito lure– with a 30-day FREE cartridge.
• Rugged and weatherproof polycarbonate construction that does not degrade or rust.
• The bulb is easy to replace.
• Does not use chemical insecticides.
• Limited two-year warranty.

Overview | Flowtron Bk-40d

Innovation has no bounds. With the Flowtron BK-40D electronic insect killer, you get an eco-friendly device that uses a different technology from the GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer.

Instead of chemicals, the Flowtron BK-40D uses a nontoxic light-based (ultraviolet) attractant that lures mosquitoes efficiently. It can also attract other flying insects in your home to keep it safe and habitable. Finally, Flowtron BK-40D can attract and kill most biting insects as well.

The mode of operation of this one of a kind product is simple. The lure (ultraviolet light) attracts mosquitoes and other biting and flying insects. Once it the system, the insects go through an electric grid that kills them on impact. The efficacy of this top-rated system is laudable.

The Flowtron BK-40D is effective in spaces measuring up to an acre. To cover larger spaces, consider using two devices in different areas.

Instructions For use

• This device has an effective attractant. Do not set up the Flowtron BK-40D in a high traffic areas of your home areas that you often use. Instead, hang it outside to draw insects to the area.
• Flowtron BK-40D has a short power cord that you should plug into an electrical outlet to work. As such, find a place with an accessible electric outlet to be able to use one. If you do not have a power outlet, consider buying an outdoor extension cord instead.
• The Flowtron BK-40D needs a few hours to activate. As such, when you are planning to spend time outdoors, plug it in and activate it a few hours before you venture outdoors for it to work. That way, you will not encounter mosquitoes when you step out!

Flowtron BK-80D | Covers up to 1.5 Acres

Features:

• Patented, high efficiency, non-clogging killing grid.
• Two 40-watt, high-intensity, “U” shaped, ultraviolet (black light) bulbs BF-150.
• Transformer-powered Vertical Rod killing grid system.
• Has a USDA-tested Octenol (MA-1000-6) mosquito attractant in a slow-release cartridge.
• A weatherproof polycarbonate shell is durable. It does not rust, crack, or fade over time.
• Tool-less bulb replacement.
• Does not use chemical insecticides.
• Cost-effective product.
• Limited two-year warranty.

Thermacell | Mosquito Repellent for Your Yard

This product is perfect for hunting, camping, backyard activities, and gardening. With the Thermacell nearby, you will never worry about flying insects such as mosquitoes bothering you.

Features:

• Can repel black flies, mosquitoes, and other biting insects.
• Odor-free system.
• Creates a 15 x 15-foot bug-free zone.
• Does not use an open flame.
• No sticky, greasy, or oily lotions or sprays.
• The odor-free repellent mat uses allethrin as an active ingredient.

Download or View the Thermacell mosquito repellent’s MANUAL.

Overview | Thermacell

The Thermacell is a portable (handheld) Mosquito repellent suitable for killing mosquitoes while engaging in outdoor activities such as camping. It can clear mosquitoes from up to 15 feet by 15 feet of space/ land. Thermacell calls this space its zone of protection.

Interestingly, the Thermacell Mosquito repellent is not effective against mosquitoes alone. You can use it to repel other biting and flying insects such as black flies and good results. It does not need a power cord to work and is small enough to fit your pocket. Finally, because it is lightweight, this device is highly portable and relatively easy to handle.

All Thermacell products require a single butane cartridge to generate heat without requiring an electrical connection. Whenever the butane cartridge generates heat, its metal grid becomes hot and transfers heat to a small mat on top of this grill. Next, the repellent soaked in the mat – allethrin – vaporizes and attracts mosquitoes. Allethrin mimics chrysanthemum flowers, which are excellent insect attractants.

Set up correctly, this product will keep your outdoors mosquito-free and therefore safe and fun to lounge in.

Thermacell also makes numerous lanterns with a similar mode of operation. It repels mosquitoes from your yard, camping site, or any other outdoor space, which makes this novel lantern a must-have.

These Thermacell lanterns offer superior bug protection in spaces measuring up to 225 square feet. The main differences between these lanterns are their designs and brightness. How bright should yours be?

You can get more information from the Thermacell website.

Mosquito Magnet | Mosquito Repellent for Your Yard

If you have no idea what the Mosquito Magnet is, you might have been living on another planet. The Mosquito Magnet is an effective mosquito trap that works well in most open spaces. It uses a propane system to attract mosquitoes and traps them in a compartment where they cannot escape. Therefore, you do not interact with mosquitoes. All you do is empty the receptacle with dead mosquitoes and leave it alone.

Four Mosquito Magnet Models:

• Patriot (MM4100) | Best Value
• Independence (MM3200)
• Executive (MM3300)
• Commander (MM3400)

Video | Here is How the Mosquito Magnet Works

How it Works:

1. Lures

The Mosquito Magnet works seamlessly all day and night. It releases a continuous stream of carbon dioxide (CO2) – a renowned attractant that can draw mosquitoes and most other flying insects into the trap.

2. Captures

The patented Counterflow Technology vacuums mosquitoes into a net where the insects dehydrate and die. You will not believe the number of mosquitoes that this item can kill every day. Watch the video again.

3. Controls

This product not only disrupts mosquito-breeding cycles but also essentially stops them from repopulating homes all season long.

To learn more about this product, check the Best Mosquito Killer | Mosquito Control Guide for an in-depth review.

Download or View the Independent Tests:

• Mosquito Magnet — Hawaii
• Mosquito Magnet — Ft Myers – July 2004
• Mosquito Magnet — Atsena Otie Key – Florida
• Mosquito Magnet — Ft Myers – April 2004
• Mosquito Magnet — Cayman Islands Mosquito Research & Control Unit

Learn more about the Mosquito Magnet from the website.

Dynatrap DT1775 | Advanced Mosquito Zapper

Features:

• Covers up to an Acre.
• Durable all-weather design.
• Odor and pesticide-free.
• Whisper quiet system.
• No buzzing or zapping nor propane or an expensive required.
• Easy to set up.

It has a 3-step system that shields you from mosquitoes.

1. UV fluorescent bulb produces a warm light that attracts insects
2. It has an additional Ti02 titanium dioxide-coated lure that produces CO2 (the gas we exhale) that attracts mosquitoes.
3. A powerful yet quiet vacuum fan sucks insects into a retaining cage where they die.

Natural Mosquito Repellents

NEEM: Neem is one of the best insect repellents to date. It is effective against flying and biting insects such as mosquitoes and works over a wide area, making it suitable for clearing infestations. Therefore, if you have a large yard or home and want to get rid of a severe mosquito infestation naturally, it is the best product to use.

The mosquito repellent properties of Neem have made it a sought after product in many settings. You can find it is a variety of oils, sprays, and lotions and is, therefore, one of the best products for keeping insects at bay outdoors. To make your repellent at home, add one part of neem with one part coconut oil and rub it on your skin to repel insects.

CAMPHOR: Camphor is a natural tree-based product, proven effective against biting and flying insects such as mosquitoes. According to many reports, Camphor ranks among the best remedies you can use at home.

For Camphor to work, you have to light it to release natural odors in the air, which act as a repellent. However, know that Camphor highly flammable. Do not use it around other flammable products for safety.

Once you have lit Camphor, close all windows and doors to enable the smell to penetrate all nooks and corners of the house and let it settle in for around twenty minutes. After that, you have a mosquito-free zone.

Learn more | Read this Book

EUCALYPTUS OIL: Scientists have studies the Eucalyptus tree for years. It is one of the few trees with aromatic extracts – popularly known and eucalyptus oil – with medicinal properties. It is available in most homes.

Eucalyptus oil has numerous laudable attributes, key among them being its ability to repel mosquitos and other flying or biting insects. Millions of people have used the oil to repel bugs for years now. However, to maximize its performance and protection, research proposes that you combine eucalyptus oil with lemon. This way, it will offer you long-lasting protection for approximately three hours.

For safety, do not use eucalyptus oil on kids aged less than three years.

LAVENDER: Lavender reminds most of the lush lavender field we see roadside while exploring rural areas in spring. The flower has many relaxing hues and an aromatic fragrance that appeals to most people.

In addition to its luscious smell, the flower plays many other roles, including repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects from homes.

While most of us do not have lavender in our backyards, this does not mean that we cannot benefit from the powerful effects of this wonder plant. Modern-day incense, room fresheners, and premium lavender scents are available in stores. We can use such to perfume homes and keeps biting flying insects such as mosquitoes out all day and night.

TEA TREE OIL: Tea tree oil is popular in the medical industry because of its antifungal properties. However, it is also one of the most effective mosquito repellants to date. Its repellent properties emanate from the strong smell of its oil extracts, which you can use in two broad ways.

1. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil in a vaporizer and spray it at home. Its smell, though non-irritant to humans, repels insects.
2. You can also use a second old-fashioned method. Rub a few drops of oil on your skin to kill harmful bacteria and fungi. This way, it also acts as a repellent that repels the mosquitoes near you and protects your skin from these flying insects’ irritant bites.

CITRONELLA: Citronella is a grass that produces a soothing, all-natural extract called citronella oil. Compared to other species of grass, it can also repel mosquitoes. Citronella oil is potent than chemical remedies from the accounts of people who have used it. As such, the popularity of Citronella oil has hit the ceiling in the past few years globally.

Like other natural oils, you can use this extract in multiple ways. Some people swear that it works seamlessly with vaporizers. Others recommend that you use it with wax candles to maximize its efficacy. However, irrespective of your preferred method of use, you should expect the best results from Citronella. It is effective, safe, and cheap.

Some people believe that Citronella can even kill mosquitoes. Thus, there is no harm in experimenting with the product today. If mosquitoes have taken over your home, light a Citronella candle today!

TULSI: The beneficial effects of Tulsi are diverse. One of the main effects that are widely known worldwide is its ability to repel mosquitoes. Some studies suggest that Tulsi can kill mosquito larvae in water. If the reports are accurate, homeowners should increase the number of plants in the yards to get rid of mosquitoes naturally.

CINNAMON OIL: Most people know cinnamon to be an ingredient that they use to cook at home. The spice has a pleasant aromatic smell. However, you can also extract and oil from cinnamon trees’ bark with excellent mosquito-repelling ability.

For years now, people have used Cinnamon oil to kill the eggs of mosquitoes. It can also deter/repel the female mosquito, thus protecting you from painful bites and diseases. However, handle this oil with caution. In its concentrated form, it can irritate the skin. You should dilute it to a working concentration before use to avoid such issues. Usually, the recommended dilution ratio is 24 drops of Cinnamon oil to four ounces of water to have a safe product.

MINT: Like Cinnamon, mint is common in kitchens. However, the product has an added benefit that most people do not know. Once you realize how effective mint is at repelling mosquitoes, you will appreciate the value of this leafy plant in a new way.

If you have a mosquito infestation that you are struggling to clear, mint is an excellent choice. Mint extracts are extremely useful in homes as they make tasty drinks and can repel mosquitoes as well. You can use it safely in the home in most rooms without irritation or home.

You can use mint in multiple ways. Some prefer to add the oil in a vaporizer to treat their homes, while others choose traditional mint leaves. Whenever you are using this product at home, you will be satisfied with the value of the service that it delivers. The scent soothes the respiratory system. It can also repel mosquitoes from homes.

GARLIC: While talking about kitchen supplies that can fight mosquitoes, no list can be complete without garlic. It has a pungent odor, which is offensive to many but offers multiple benefits. It can repel mosquitoes.

Using garlic as a repellent for mosquitoes is effortless. For it to work, crush a few cloves of garlic and mix in water. Then, bring the water to a boil and “cook” the mixture for a short time. Remove the mixture from the stove and let it cool. Finally, filter it in a spray bottle and spray the home.

This simple process has helped millions of people to repel mosquitoes.

PLANT THE RIGHT KIND OF TREES: When battling mosquitoes, many people think trees are the source of their problems. However, what many people do not know is trees are useful remedies. Species like Neem, Mint, Eucalyptus, and marigold can repel and eliminate the mosquitoes from home. Therefore, whenever you are planting a tree at home, choose well. The best can cure mosquito infestations.

Best Mosquito Repellent for Your Yard

Mosquitoes are a significant threat to the lives of humans. As we have recommended prior, prevention is always better than cure. Do not cite financial issues as your reasons for hesitating to clear mosquitoes. If a mosquito carrying an infectious pathogen bites you, you will spend more cash on hospital bills than you would have done to kill mosquitos. Apart from saving money, protecting your health should be a priority. If clearing mosquitoes from your home can help, do so immediately. Many people hate the painful bites and nasty itches they cause.

Additional Information

• American Mosquito Control Association
• Mosquito Control Methods (Lots of excellent links)

Mosquitoes kill more people every year than other animals in the world. See the chart below: