Our Best Tips for Controlling Mosquitos This Summer

Enjoy the great outdoors, bite-free.

Bothersome mosquitos can seriously put a damper on fun outdoor summer gatherings. While it's impossible to completely rid your yard of these unwanted pests, here are some tips and tricks to help you manage them.

Spray away.

DIY Bug Repellent
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Organic, non-toxic bug spray is great for use on kids. Watch the video above to see how to make your own.

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

An essential oil mixture will keep bugs away all day. MAKE IT: Natural Bug and Tick Repellent

DIY Bug Spray

DIY Bug Spray

DIY Bug Spray

Photo by: Photo by Debbie Wolfe

Photo by Debbie Wolfe

Skip the store-bought, chemical-laden options in favor of a natural, fresher-smelling spray using garden herbs. MAKE IT: Herb-Infused Bug Spray

Try a DIY approach.

3 All-Natural Bug Repellents
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Watch the video above to see how to make a bug-busting bouquet, natural spray and easy citronella torches.

A cedar bat house installed in a tree.

How to make a cedar bat house.

Learn how to make a cedar bat shelter and install it in your backyard.

Photo by: Emily Fazio

Emily Fazio

Like mosquitos love blood, bats love mosquitos. Build a bat house to attract mosquitos' most-feared predator. MAKE IT: Bat House

Add a few drops of Citronella essential oil to the bracelet to help keep mosquitos away! Let it soak in for a few minutes before putting bracelet on. To adjust sizing, slide one knot towards the other until the bracelet is large enough to slip your hand through. To tighten, pull the knots away from one another.

Step 5- Add Essential Oil

Add a few drops of Citronella essential oil to the bracelet to help keep mosquitos away! Let it soak in for a few minutes before putting bracelet on. To adjust sizing, slide one knot towards the other until the bracelet is large enough to slip your hand through. To tighten, pull the knots away from one another.

Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions

Flynnside Out Productions

Don't worry about reapplying bug spray with these citronella-infused bracelets. MAKE IT: Paracord Bug Repellent Bracelets

Plant a repellent garden.

Say No to Mosquitoes
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Fill a planter or window box with plants like lavender, marigold and rosemary, which put off offensive scents to mosquitos. Bonus: it looks pretty, too!

Burn, baby burn.

Handmade Glass Bottle Tiki Torch

DIY Glass Bottle Citronella Torch

These beautiful citronella bottle torches take less than 10 minutes to make and do a great job of keeping away those pesky bugs.

Photo by: Mike Faulkner

Mike Faulkner

Smoke and citronella are your best friends when it comes to mosquito prevention. Upcycle an empty liqour or wine bottle to create your own version of a tiki torch. MAKE IT: Citronella Torches

HGTV-MCaughey-mosquitoes1.JPG

Mosquito Bombs

Mosquito Bombs

Look to the garden for natural mosquito repellents. Throw this herb bundle on the fire pit to stay bug free. MAKE IT: Herb Bundle

Photo by: Rae Sturm

Rae Sturm

Don't overlook household items when crafting natural bug repellers. Use a slow cooker to diffuse this essential oil concoction. MAKE IT: Scented Bug Buster

These stylish citronella candles are a triple threat. They’re pretty, functional and will keep the mosquitoes away.

DIY Dip Dyed Citronella Candles

These stylish citronella candles are a triple threat. They’re pretty, functional and will keep the mosquitoes away.

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

Citronella candles don't have to be ugly. Give them a designer look by dipping them in melted, colorful crayons. MAKE IT: Dip-Dyed Citronella Candles

Use hacks that work.

Outdoor fan hanging from pergola

Outdoor Fan Provides Cool Breeze to Sunny Deck

An outdoor friendly fan produces a gentle, cool breeze on a hot, sunny day to the seating area below the pergola.

Photo by: Chicago Roof Deck & Garden

Chicago Roof Deck & Garden

Installing fans, removing standing water and wearing proper clothing will help repel mosquitos. Here are even more nontoxic tips.

Already bitten? Try this gadget.

If you're are a mosquito magnet, keep this popular insect bite and sting extraction device handy at every outdoor outing.

Try homemade remedies for bites.

Your mom was right - aloe will take the burn out of almost anything.

Medicine Cabinet Must Have: Aloe

Your mom was right - aloe will take the burn out of almost anything.

Sometimes, you just get bit. It's unavoidable. Here's how to treat itchy bites from mosquitos.

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