Our Best Tips for Controlling Mosquitos This Summer

Enjoy the great outdoors, bite-free.

By: Molly Miller

Related To:

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 03:44

Keep the bugs at bay with this easy-to-make spray from Maria Antoinette.

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

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 00:56

Don't let those pesky bugs keep you inside!

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

How to make a cedar bat house.

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

From: Emily Fazio

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

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.

Get more HGTV

Say No to Mosquitoes 01:09

Find out which plants double as mosquito repellent.

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: Photography by Mike Faulkner

Photography by 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

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 concotion. MAKE IT: Scented Bug Buster

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