Fail-Safe Ways to Get Rid Of Mosquitoes In Your Home

It’s Summer.

It’s hot.

You’re exhausted after a busy day with the kids and thinking, ‘’Give me ONE good night’s sleep. PLEASE. I’m so tired.’’

As you get comfy in your lovely bed...

Out of nowhere an unmistakable high-pitched screeching hits your ears. And your heart sinks.

Yes! You’ve guessed it. Mosquitoes.

Does this sound familiar?

Great. Yet another anxiety to add to my list.

Mosquitoes circle like vultures in the house and I hate it when my boys get bitten. They wind up scratching and miserable, and not enjoying their downtime.

For me, mosquitoes are fair game on your vacation in Florida. But they’re stepping over a line when they invade your home.

They’re not only a nuisance, but downright dangerous inside your place. Carrying and transmitting diseases like West Nile Virus, Malaria and more.

Seriously scary.

What can you do to protect your family?

I got you girl.

Read on for some easy tips to get them outta your yard, and away from your family.

There are many effective natural treatments and tricks to control this common pest. From plants to homemade sprays, you will be an expert by the end of this.

Let’s DO THIS...

INSIDE

Your home is your castle, right?

There are a variety of tools and methods, in stores and online, to get rid of mosquitoes inside the house. It can be overwhelming.

Let me help you out. Stop mosquitoes attempts to screech sweet nothings in your ear for good.

Where to start?

Doors & Windows

Listen up!

Insect-proof your home. This is important.

You give these pesky insects an inch, and they take a mile. Don’t be hospitable or you will end up with an infestation you can’t remove, like Michael Keaton in Pacific Heights.

• Repair screens with silicon caulk or screen patches, and seal door gaps.
• Close the door immediately when entering your home, especially on warm, humid nights. Those guys love, love, LOVE the humidity - they don’t care about hair frizz.
• Don't open windows that aren't equipped with screens. You’re asking for trouble.

Now your home is now locked up like Fort Knox, you can address the mosquitoes making themselves at home in your casa. No longer mi casa, su casa. Pack their bags and show them the door.

Nets

Been waiting for your starring role as Cleopatra? No better way than to use mosquito nets, draped over your boudoir like an Egyptian Queen.

For them.

Put nets over cribs and beds to keep kids safe. For infants under 2 this is crucial as they can’t use repellents.

For you.

Drape the net around the bed so it touches the floor on all sides.

Check the net for holes regularly. If you’re like Hagrid from Harry Potter, give your nails a trim. Tears can form easily in nets while snoozing.

Make sure you’re not touching the net anywhere while you sleep, or you will get bitten.

Solutions

If you’re a hotshot with homemade remedies, read on. Here are some tips to repel mosquitoes in safe and natural ways.

GARLICSpray – for a great indoor mosquito repellent, crush a few garlic cloves and boil them in water for 30 minutes. Pour the water in a spray bottle and fire at will.

Love - garlic tablets are effective if you don’t want to put cloves into your food (and want to stay in your relationship).

Eat – act like you have a vampire as a dinner guest. Down garlic like your life depends on it and give the mosquitoes the finger. Get it in the whole family’s diet.

CHIVES

Chives can be rubbed onto the skin to repel the mosquitoes, and anyone else close to you! If they will allow it.

DRYER SHEETS

Rubbing dryer sheets on skin or clothing acts as a barrier to insects, plus you will smell delicious. If your skin is sensitive, avoid this option.

BUBBLES

Soap in kid’s bubble machines will drive bugs away. It’s a 2 in1 win - the kids are entertained, and they earn their keep.

CAMPHOR OIL

Camphor is great as an aid to repel bugs. Light camphor in a room with all the doors and windows closed and leave for 15 to 20 mins.

ESSENTIAL OIL BURNING

• Citronella
• Peppermint
• Sweet basil
• Catnip
• Tea tree oil
• Clary sage
• Lemon Balm
• Lemongrass
• Lavender
• Neem
• Marigold
• Bergamot
• Eucalyptus
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

(Want to learn more? Check out our Essential Oil Bug Spray Lowdown blog.)

Essential oils work well in repelling uninvited guests. Why not make your home smell glorious using an oil burner. The top-rated oils are:

ROSEMARY AND SAGE

Mosquitoes all up in your grill? Place a few sprigs of rosemary or sage on your BBQ coals and say “Ciao” to those irritating insects.

STANDING WATERKeep pet’s water fresh and prevent build-up in plant saucers. It’s prime breeding ground for mosquito larvae. You don’t want that!

ALERT! ALERT!

OUTSIDE

Let’s take this outside.

Before mosquitoes have that light-bulb moment and enter your domain, cut them off at the pass.

The following advice for the exterior of your abode will result in a mosquito-free zone. FIST PUMP!

Puddles, gutters and empty flowerpots are like flashing motel signs to mosquitoes. Any vessel that can hold water goes stagnant in a few days and becomes a breeding ground for these pests. Like that week-old sushi you forgot about, festering at the back of your fridge. Throw it out.

Or they will be laying their eggs in no time.

Feel nauseous? Me too.

Break their lifecycle.

Clean and change water regularly.

Soapy water

Enjoy outdoor dining?

Treat your insect friends to a dish of soapy water to swim drown in. And enjoy your food without stress and skin nibbling.

Water features & pools

Keep water fresh and flowing in features and pools. Any vegetation around the water should be neat and clear to shift the insect pest. Your family and neighbors will thank you.

Trimming

Like to keep your bush neat and tidy?

Good for you.

Do the same in your garden. Tall grass and thick shrubbery encourage mosquitoes to multiply.

Add mosquito-repelling shrubs and plants to your plot to keep these gnats away.

• Tulsi – plant this shrub near your windows. Its properties prevent mosquitoes from entering your house. Good for bites too.
• Basil – is a versatile plant. In a pot inside or outside your house. Its essential oil has strong repelling qualities if used on the skin.
• Catnip and Feverfew – plant in flowerbeds or window boxes for prime mosquito prevention.
• Citronella – put this zesty scented plant in a pot on your porch or by outdoor furniture.

Classics

Want more?

There are timeless tried-and-tested mosquito-fighting methods that are still worth a shot.

Take a trip down memory lane.

Swatter.

If you’ve had a bad day, try old fashioned swatting. Get all Bruce Lee on their ass. From swatters, to rolled up newspaper – let it all out. Gotta catch and kill ‘em all!

Clothing.

Covering yourself from head to toe like an Egyptian Mummy will protect your skin from bites.

Scent.

Don’t wear scent outdoors during mosquito season. You’ll be hunted down like that last handbag in the Black Friday sales.

Shower.

Washing with soap made with all-natural oils and herbal extracts will repel mosquitoes. So, step up your regimen.

Time.

Try and avoid outside activities during dusk and dawn, the times of day when mosquitoes are at their peak.

Pest Control. 

Another way to avoid mosquitoes is to hire a pest control service like Bug Lord to do the work for you.

Lessons

 
Prevention is key if you want you and your family to stay bite-free. And your house critter-free.

There is no time like the present to give these ideas a try. Shut out these blood-suckers for good. You can solve your mosquito problem by making some simple changes today!

So, what are you waiting for? Get involved.

If you wait too long you may as well set them a place for dinner and give them your favorite spot on the La-Z-Boy. ‘’A cool glass of refreshing homemade lemonade, sir?’’ NO! STOP!

Time to take action. I’m rooting for you.

You’ve got this!