topic Natural ways to repel mosquitos in Community Chat

Natural ways to repel mosquitos

RubyinNE — Mon, 15 May 2017 02:54:02 GMT

I've planted Citronella plants and lemongrass. They are supposed to naturally repel mosquitos. I'm hesitant to spray because I have two dogs and two grandchildren who play in my backyard. Any other hints for lessening the mosquito population? TIA

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

blackhole99 — Mon, 15 May 2017 03:06:52 GMT

Make sure there is no standing water lying around outside.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

Kachina624 — Mon, 15 May 2017 03:15:30 GMT

Let us know how they work out.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

Desertdi — Mon, 15 May 2017 07:23:12 GMT

Ugh..........mosquitoes just look at me and say "dinner time".................

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

LTT1 — Fri, 19 May 2017 11:28:50 GMT

On Pinterest there are other, similar recipes and charts.

Our DGD has already had one tick found in her hair by my daughter.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

SilleeMee — Fri, 19 May 2017 12:44:56 GMT

This spray is a natural product. You can find it in stores for around $7 to $10:

It smells like a citronella candle so if you can't live with that then don't buy this.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

Puzzle Piece — Fri, 19 May 2017 13:54:39 GMT

Bats

Bats are their enemy as they eat the mosquitos.

Get a bat house and let the bats do their job - usually at night.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 19 May 2017 15:20:10 GMT

@RubyinNE

Have you googled for solutions?

I seem to recall reading that rubbing dryer sheets on your arms and legs is a good repellant, but have never tried it. Fortunately, I think I've seen only 1 mosquito in the past ten years.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

Bri36 — Fri, 19 May 2017 15:39:06 GMT

Remove any standing water and wear dark colors.

I'm a mosquito magnet, but I never use any sprays.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

SaRina — Fri, 19 May 2017 15:58:44 GMT

As far as an individual repellant.... I ordered some Avon Skin So Soft lotion, but have yet to try it. I actually heard about it here. I googled it as well and even though it's a moisturizer, it contains some chemical (citronella-like?) that is supposed to repel mosquitos. We shall see. :-)

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

Pqfan — Fri, 19 May 2017 17:44:25 GMT

@Puzzle Piece wrote:
Bats
Bats are their enemy as they eat the mosquitos.
Get a bat house and let the bats do their job - usually at night.

But now I need bat repellent.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

ScrapHappy — Fri, 19 May 2017 17:50:41 GMT

Just received an email from Angie's List that marigolds and lavendar also a natural repellant.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

ROMARY — Sat, 20 May 2017 01:29:47 GMT

It used to be that there was a warning on dryer sheets packages; to keep away from skin (and also children) because it's a skin irritant. I don't know about now-a-days, and I'd research before rubbing dryer sheets on skin. ............ p.s. Many good suggestions here.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

Zhills — Sat, 20 May 2017 01:56:43 GMT

I've used the Citronella plants for years. They work. However, they may not work as efficiently with certain types of mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes normally do not bite me. One evening we were at a party at the lake and those suckers ate me up! Only time I have ever been attacked like that. Different type in that area and they liked me!

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

Wannabeincali — Sat, 20 May 2017 02:33:19 GMT

Hi! @RubyinNE

NEEM SPRAY:
For dogs:
I love natural alternatives for many things, but for dealing with mosquitos around my little dog, I use natural products only as a second layer of defense -- but I still rely on heartworm preventative meds. As a result, I cannot tell you that NEEM is 100% effective in thwarting mosquito bites on a furbaby.

I, however, have had great results with NEEM lotion! I am a mosquito's favorite buffet! UGH! I go outside for just 2 MINUTES, and I come back in with itchy BIG round mounds on my face, arms, legs, etc! I think I used to get attacked because I wore fragrances a lot. Once I layered on NEEM lotion (and did not use fragrances in the hot summer months), I rarely got mosquitor bites or bites from those teeny No See Mees. I hate those. OUCH! lol

HOMEOPATHIC "APIS MELLEFICA 30C"

Ok, well if you DO get bitten ....be it by mosquitos, bees, wasps, whatever! ..... make sure you have some Apis M 30c on hand! It is a wonderful remedy that ends the sting, itch, swelling....FAST! I use the one by Boiron. I get it from Whole Foods. Dose is 4 pellets, every 15 min, for up to one total hour. Do this IF the bite is severe. Then repeat 1 dose, 2 more times that day. If you need to repeat the next day, do 1 dose....for 3 x day. Once the swelling and itch or pain begin to dissipate, reduce the dose to 1 x day.

(DO NOT TOUCH THE PELLETS WITH YOUR FINGERS! You will remove the remedy. The remedy is on the outside of the tiny sugar bead pillule. To dose, invert the bottle so that the cap end is down. Turn the base of the tube. As you do, the pillules drop down into the cap. Once you get 4 out, stop turning the tube. Pull the tube off the cap. Pour the contents in the cap, into a cup. Pour the contents into your mouth and allow to dissolve. Do NOT swallow or chew the pillules! Best to allow them to dissolve under the tongue, as they must make contact with your mucus membranes. There are NOT side effects when using homeopathic remedies in the 30C or 6c potencies. For ACUTE issues, use 30C. )

If the bite is NOT severe, you can just do 1 dose of 4 pellets. If you still have symptoms 2 hours later, repeat the 1 dose.....2 or 3 more times that day.

Once your symptoms are almost completely gone, stop the dosing.

I am highly allergic to bee and wasp stings. I am never without my Apis M 30 C!
You can use this for kids, pets, etc. The dose is always the same, regardless of size or age or weight of the patient.

hth!

@RubyinNE wrote:
I've planted Citronella plants and lemongrass. They are supposed to naturally repel mosquitos. I'm hesitant to spray because I have two dogs and two grandchildren who play in my backyard. Any other hints for lessening the mosquito population? TIA

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

SilleeMee — Sat, 20 May 2017 16:09:13 GMT

@Puzzle Piece wrote:
Bats
Bats are their enemy as they eat the mosquitos.
Get a bat house and let the bats do their job - usually at night.

Just saw on my local news that a dead rabid bat was found laying on the ground at a childrens' playground here....eww! I think I'll stick with using something else besides bats for mosquito control.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

RubyinNE — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 17:18:39 GMT

Thatnks for the information. We never miss the Frontline and Hartgard for our two pups.

So far, not many mosquitos, YET. I'm going to look into the Neem lotion for myself.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

chickenbutt — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 17:24:50 GMT

Pqfan wrote:
Love Roses wrote:
Bats
Bats are their enemy as they eat the mosquitos.
Get a bat house and let the bats do their job - usually at night.
But now I need bat repellent.

Ok, that's pretty funny! Thanks for the laugh.

I'm so glad we don't have mosquitos here. Well, we don't unless there is stagnant water.

Having lived in the Sacramento Valley, decades ago, I had my fill of mosquitos in the summer and I just couldn't deal.

Now, if the bees would go somewhere besides around my house I'd be very happy. The other day I saw a giant, shiny black, bee and about had a heart attack. Had s/he come any closer to me, I would have fallen out. *shudder*

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

nycgrl — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 17:25:21 GMT

@SaRina - It works. I used it on an airboat in the Everglades. I'm a mosquito magnet.

Re: Natural ways to repel mosquitos

chickenbutt — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 17:25:35 GMT

BTW, probably nobody here cares but Citronella can kill the birds.