A serious mosquito infestation is a serious matter. These flying pests carry a number of diseases, and they are among the most annoying flying insects in nature. At A Plus Pest Control, we use strong chemicals which are safe around pets and people. Additionally, our technicians arrive on time, do their work quickly, and then leave no trace behind.
But some people want an alternative. Perhaps someone in the house is hypersensitive to chemicals. Or, perhaps being completely chemical-free is a lifestyle or political choice. We’re certainly sensitive to these things. For these people, there are a few natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes. They usually will not work overnight, but they are typically effective. Disclaimer we have not tried them all, effectiveness will vary.
DIY Bug Spray
There are a lot of bug spray recipes out there. But based on the types of mosquitoes in Alabama, we recommend one of the following:
- Add chopped onions and garlic to four cups of water. Mix with four teaspoons of cayenne pepper and one tablespoon of liquid dish soap.
- Odorous House Ants: If you have ever smelled a decaying coconut, then you have experienced the scent of a squashed Odorous House Ant. They don’t sting or bite, but much like any ant, it will spread disease. If someone steps on an Odorous House Ant, that odor will trigger an alarm for others to come to the rescue. Thousands of Odorous Ants will surround the dead ant. That alone is cringe-worthy.
- Mix a quarter cup apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup of witch hazel and about two dozen drops of tea tree, cedar, eucalyptus, rosemary, citronella, or lemongrass oil.
Spray the onion/garlic base stuff on the deck and where your children play. The deterrent effect should last about a week. Spray the apple cider vinegar mixture on exposed skin to keep mosquitoes away.
Peppermint
If you don’t want to smell like apple cider, add a few drops of peppermint oil to a cup of water, shake well, and spray away. Chemically, peppermint oil is somewhat similar to some pesticides. The similarity may be enough to ward them off, especially if you do not have a serious infestation.
Coffee Trays and Egg Cartons
This is a rather neat trick. Rather than burn citronella candles to keep mosquitoes away, carefully burn some of these items outside and allow them to smolder. The resulting scent is pleasing to people but offensive to mosquitoes.
Sage and Rosemary
Often, mosquitoes like to hover near outdoor grills. Put a dash or two of these spices on your meat, and the mosquitoes should stay away.
Lemon Eucalyptus
Some people forgo the do-it-yourself approach and look for all-natural mosquito killers at home improvement or other retail stores. If that’s your thing, look for one that contains lemon eucalyptus oil. This oil contains diethyltoluamide, and DEET is usually the active ingredient in commercial inset repellants. Additionally, lemon eucalyptus oil may also help prevent tick bites.
If you just see one or two mosquitoes, or just want to take some preventative measures, these home remedies may do the trick. But if you have a serious infestation, call us.
