Preventing Mosquito Infestations Naturally
Service areas covered by Eco Pest Control can reduce mosquito populations in your outdoor spaces and protect your family from mosquito-borne diseases. In addition to installing and maintaining screens on doors and windows, caulking gaps and routinely inspecting them for damage, you can also use plant-based natural repellents and indoor insecticides.
The most important step is to get rid of standing water where mosquitoes breed and lay their eggs. Empty and scrub all containers (including flower pot saucers, discarded toys, buckets, birdbaths and vases) that may collect water.
How to Prevent Mosquito Infestations the Natural Way
You can also introduce fish to your garden that will eat mosquito larvae. Guppies and minnows are two good choices.
Other plants that repel mosquitoes include catnip, thyme and lavender. Grow these plants in your yard or place them in indoor planters. You can also crush lavender flowers and apply the oil to bite-prone areas of your body. Thyme oil has also been shown to provide protection against mosquitoes. A 2002 animal study found that 5 percent thyme oil offered 91 percent protection against malarial mosquitoes.
You can also try neem oil, which is safe to use as long as it’s diluted before application. The oil contains geraniol, which can be effective against mosquitoes for 2 to 3 hours. A mixture of 3 to 5 drops neem oil for every teaspoon of carrier oil (such as olive or jojoba) can be used as a mosquito repellent. Be sure to test a small spot before applying the mixture to your skin.
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