Summer Outdoors: Ways to Keep Mosquitos at Bay

Summer is an exciting season filled with fun activities. It means spending more time outdoors, catching up with friends, and enjoying the hot weather. Unfortunately, the weather is also ideal for bugs and mosquitoes during summer. Our REALTORS® compiled these tips to help you get rid of mosquitoes.

1. Install Fans to Blow Them Away
   Mosquitoes are tiny and weak. They cannot withstand a strong breeze. Therefore, installing outdoor fans is an excellent remedy to keep them at bay. It will also make you and your guests more comfortable since you'll need the fresh cool air.
   
   
2. Go the Natural Way
   You can repel mosquitoes naturally by planting mosquito repellent plants like rosemary, lemon balm, and marigold. Plant them around your patio and other outdoor seating areas. You can go the extra mile and crunch up leaves from these plants and rub their extract on your skin. 
   
   
3. Net Your Walls to Create a Barrier
   While there are natural ways to deal with mosquitoes, the most readily available options are chemical sprays. Chemical sprays harm the environment and other beneficial flying insects like bees. Therefore, it isn't a wise option.
   
   You can create a barrier by netting the area surrounding your outdoor zones. There are numerous machine-washable netting on the market at an affordable price. You can sew the net and customize it to fit your outdoor space.
   
   
4. Buy and Burn Citronella
   Kill two birds with one stone by burning citronella candles. Citronella has a divine scent that adds ambiance to your patio and deters mosquitoes. When we breathe in oxygen, we breathe out carbon dioxide. Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we breathe out.
   
   The scent of citronella masks the scent of carbon dioxide, keeping away mosquitoes. Buy several candles, place about three or four on a table outdoors, and light them. You can also buy citronella torches to decorate your outdoors, set a festive mood and deter mosquitoes. Alternatively, use sandalwood sticks, which also have a beautiful scent.
    
5. Apply Mosquito Repellent
   Taking the above measures may not be enough; you might need to protect yourself. Mosquitoes transmit human diseases, and you must prevent bites to avoid getting infected. Get DEET lotions and sprays. Apply them to your skin to keep mosquitoes at bay.
   
   Alternatively, you can come up with a mosquito repellent lotion yourself. Mix olive oil or essential oil with eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender and apply to your skin. 
   
   
6. Drain Stagnant Water
   Pools of water around your home could be the breeding ground for mosquitoes. Open tanks, swimming pools, or even small containers that collect water encourage breeding. If you have a pond, prevent mosquito breeding by installing a pump. The pump will keep water moving, preventing mosquitoes from laying their larvae. If you have a swimming pool, cover it up or add a non-harmful chemical to kill larvae.
   
   Mosquitoes can also breed on tall grass and pot plant bases. If you have mosquitoes in your backyard, place waste coffee grounds on the soil. Besides dealing with mosquitoes, coffee grounds enrich the soil with nitrogen.

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