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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.
Organic, non-toxic bug spray is great for use on kids. Watch the video above to see how to make your own.
Tomas Espinoza
An essential oil mixture will keep bugs away all day. MAKE IT: Natural Bug and Tick Repellent
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.
Watch the video above to see how to make a bug-busting bouquet, natural spray and easy citronella torches.
Emily Fazio
Like mosquitos love blood, bats love mosquitos. Build a bat house to attract mosquitos' most-feared predator. MAKE IT: Bat House
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.
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.
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
Look to the garden for natural mosquito repellents. Throw this herb bundle on the fire pit to stay bug free. MAKE IT: Herb Bundle
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
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.
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.
Sometimes, you just get bit. It's unavoidable. Here's how to treat itchy bites from mosquitos.
