OMG. Somebody, please invite me to hitch your bar trivia group. I KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT MOSQUITOS NOW. I do know that bar trivia subjects are often centered round issues like “tradition” or “historical past” or “issues that individuals might fairly be anticipated to find out about,” however MAN. This mosquito intel is GOLDEN. Do you know they’re drawn to the CO2 and warmth you give off? Or that they’re extra drawn to individuals ingesting beer? Or that solely feminine mosquitoes chunk? Or that they’re tremendous delicate to garlic, to the purpose the place one researcher couldn’t get mosquitoes to chunk him as a result of he’d been consuming a lot Italian meals? (That’s an actual factor that occurred in a Duke biology lab.)
On that subject: you recognize what else mosquitoes don’t like? EVERYTHING ON THIS LIST. Final month, we put out an ask to the EHD viewers – can anybody advocate mosquito management gear that’s really efficient? – and boy, did you ship! In the present day I’m highlighting just some of our favourite efficient anti-mosquito picks, from bistro lights that forestall bites (who knew these existed?) to a couple landscaping options that’ll flip your yard right into a long-term no-bug-zone. And should you simply wish to throw $50 bucks on the downside and have it fastened instantly…effectively, we’ve obtained a advice for that, too. 🙂
Our High Decide
Thermacell E-90
Whenever you publish a query on Instagram and get 16 fast and simultaneous solutions that say “Thermacell,” it’s a fairly nice indication that you just’ve landed on an excellent product. This rechargeable Thermacell E-90 protects about 300 sq. ft in nonetheless situations (try some extra heavy-duty choices right here!) and boasts a battery lifetime of 9 hours. You will want to refill on refills – a 120-hour pack will run about $50 extra bucks – but it surely’s price it for defense that truly, you recognize, protects.
Aesthetically-Interesting Choices

Amazon | Goal | Wayfair
It’s a Thermacell…within the sky. (Full disclosure: this was really my favourite possibility.) Should you’re going to gentle your exterior, why not go for lights that may also make you extra comfy? (And get this: you may flip off repellency once you don’t want it, so that they’re completely useful year-round.) The refills are a bit costly – $72 for 200 hours of efficacy, or about 2.5 hours/night time for 90 days – however should you’re a frequent entertainer (or should you similar to sitting exterior and having fun with some lovely ambient gentle), that is completely one of the best mosquito repellant possibility for you!

50 Piece Citronella Tea Candles
I really like these tea lights specifically – they’re tremendous pretty priced (cheaper than Amazon!), cream-colored (not vivid yellow!) they usually have an ideal 4-hour burn time. I’ve discovered that these shield a fairly tiny radius – about 3 ft – however in addition they look so lovely scattered across the hardscaping of a patio or yard! It’s an effective way to create a mosquito barrier that gained’t break the funds.

Bramble Damp-Rated Fan
Do not forget that tidbit about CO2 and warmth? Followers preserve the air circulating, which implies much less mosquito curiosity. There’s no have to splurge right here – a field fan works simply as effectively! – however should you’re able to improve your out of doors oasis, our group is particularly keen on the followers at Rejuvenation. (However no matter you do, be sure to’re solely taking a look at choices which might be damp-rated and authorised for coated out of doors utilization!)
Funds-Pleasant Fixes


Murphy’s Mosquito Repellant Incense | Madison James Flyaway Sticks
I gotta admit: these incense sticks are surprisingly efficient. The Murphy’s smells of citronella, cedar, lemongrass, rosemary, and peppermint; the Madison James is a mixture of geranium, Texas cedar, clove, and a few secret household elements. Each manufacturers have a burn time of round 2.5 hours and each value a couple of greenback per stick, too. When you have a small out of doors house (like a balcony!), simply one among these will preserve you comfy all night time.

Chewy | Amazon
Mosquito dunks are dissolving tablets for use in any standing water. They comprise a pure micro organism, present in soil, that’s deadly for mosquitos however unhazardous to different wildlife. Every pill works for about 30 days and might deal with about 100 sq. ft of water, so that they’re an excellent funds purchase which you can seize for below $10! (Professional tip: break your dunk into smaller items for treating birdbaths, troughs, and tiny ponds!)
Sprays And Stickers

BuzzPatch Sticker
Dad and mom, rejoice!!! You not have to chase your child round the home in an try to get them to put on bug spray! These non-woven cloth stickers are coated with all-natural oils that repel mosquitos – AND THEY ACTUALLY WORK, for as much as 72 hours (although they’re markedly simpler within the first 8 hours). Merely throw a number of patches on – 4 is the really helpful quantity for youths 6 and up…together with dad and mom 🙂 – and also you’ll be good to go. I used to be genuinely BLOWN AWAY by these.


Kinfield Golden Hour Spray | Kinfield Golden Hour Wipes
Clear elements that odor like a nostalgic summer time reminiscence? SIGN ME UP. Kinfield was a new-to-me model (thanks to those that really helpful them!) and I’m so excited to move them on – this DEET-free spray makes use of Indian Citronella, lemongrass, clove, and a liiiiitle little bit of vanilla to maintain the bugs at bay. And if the spray’s scent is just too robust in your tastes, give their mosquito repellant wipes a strive! (Related elements, lighter scent. Excellent for stashing within the automotive, too!)

Sawyer Picaridin Repellant
If the all-natural merchandise aren’t slicing it and also you’re in want of one thing with a bit extra chunk (pun meant?), this Sawyer repellant is one of the best picaridin (like DEET, however unhazardous) possibility available on the market. It protects for as much as 12 hours towards mosquitoes and ticks and as much as 8 hours towards different annoying critters, like flies and gnats. The one caveat is that it will probably depart your pores and skin feeling slightly greasy, but it surely’s a small value to pay for being bite-free!
Environmental Options


Because it seems, we will use nature in our favor! If a summer time full of gardening appears like enjoyable to you, make sure to plant a little bit of catnip, citronella, beautyberry, lemon balm, lavender, or marigolds round any of your favourite out of doors lounge spots. They’re lovely (win) and mosquitos HATE the way in which every of those crops odor (double win!). A neighborhood gardening middle will help advise. (And for the file: a few of these aren’t protected for pets, so do your analysis when you have any furry buddies who wish to chow down on greenery!)

Outside Bat Home
By no means in my wildest goals would I’ve EVER anticipated seeing so many testimonials from of us who say their bat homes completely annihilated their mosquito inhabitants. And since I wasn’t going to check it out in my condominium, I assume I’ll take them for his or her phrase? I did look into it, although, and bats can eat as much as 7,000 bugs per night time (once more, prepared to hitch your bar trivia group anytime), so that they’re a rare type of pure pest management when you have the house!
After The Chunk

Amazon | City Outfitters
So that you heeded none of my recommendation and obtained bit. WHAT NOW? Enter: these anti-itch patches, designed to assuage irritation and cease the scratching. (Like a zit patch, however in your physique.) Purchaser be warned, these are INCREDIBLY sticky (in a great way, so that they’re not coming off within the bathe or pool; nor will you rip them off in a second of itch-induced mania), so that they’re greatest used for these tremendous huge, irritating, monster bites.

Goal | Amazon
It could take a number of makes an attempt to succeed in full efficacy (take it from expertise!) however this factor ABSOLUTELY beats utilizing your nails to make little X marks on all of your annoying bites. (Why can we actually all do this?) Bug Chunk Factor does take slightly workshopping – possibly you could maintain it longer, or apply it to the identical chunk greater than as soon as – but it surely’s additionally an inexpensive, superior approach to get insect residue from beneath your pores and skin. (And it isn’t only for mosquitoes – it really works on bites/stings from bees, wasps, ants, and extra!)

Warmth It – Smartphone Powered Chunk Healer
That is – no joke – probably the most “holy crap, we’re dwelling sooner or later” product on this record. Join the Warmth It to your iPhone (Android model right here!), customise your warmth stage and period, and slowly heat your itch away! The most effective half: it’s a one-time buy and it doesn’t require any further batteries, so that you’ll be capable to deal with any future bites and discomfort with ease.
That brings us to the top of our EHD-approved mosquito management gear roundup…however I’m additionally just one gal, so I’m positive there are some nice merchandise and strategies on the market that I missed! Anybody wanna share their expertise or suggestions with the category? We’re all ears. Have an excellent (and mosquito-free) weekend 🙂 xx
Opening Picture Credit: Photograph by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Our Yard Evolution – The Modifications I Didn’t Inform You About And How The Bushes Are Doing After The 2017 Bloodbath
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