Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying pests. They can ruin your day and make you miserable.
Mosquito bites can also make you sick, so it’s important to keep them away from your house. Mosquitoes tend to thrive in areas where there are large amounts of standing water and vegetation.
This means no matter how clean your yard is, if there is an area that holds water for long periods of time like a flower bed or pond mosquitoes will find their way into your home.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Eliminating standing water is key to keeping mosquitoes out of your home. |
| Using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing can help protect you from mosquito bites. |
| Mosquitoes can carry a range of diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and yellow fever. |
| Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk. |
| There are a variety of ways to get rid of mosquitoes, including using insecticides, mosquito traps, or natural repellents. |
Keep a clean house
To keep mosquitoes out of your home, it’s important to keep a clean house.
Clean floors: Sweep or vacuum your floors regularly to get rid of any particles that may attract mosquitoes. If you have pets, also vacuum their hair out of the carpeting as often as needed.
Clean windows: Wash windows and screens with hot soapy water weekly, making sure that all areas are accessible for cleaning including window sills and tracks for good measure.
Clean drains: Clear standing water from around drain pipes near doors or windows by using a drain cover fitted with an anti-mosquito device such as mosquito dunks (available at most hardware stores). You can also use baking soda down drains which will keep them clear of odor causing mold spores and kill any larvae trying to grow in there!
Keep gutters clean: Empty rain gutters regularly removing leaves/debris which could provide shelter for mosquitoes looking for water pools in shaded areas under eaves during hot summer months when they’re most active.”
If you want to get rid of mosquitoes, it’s important to understand their habits and what attracts them. Check out our easy guide on how to get rid of mosquitoes for tips on preventing these pesky insects from infesting your home
Natural Accessories
If you’re not a fan of chemical-laden bug repellents and want an all-natural alternative, there are a few options. Citronella candles are one common way people keep mosquitoes out of the home when they’re outside burning them.
The citronella oil in these candles deters mosquitoes from approaching the area where it’s lit up and can even help keep them away from your property if you have several standing around.
Other natural alternatives include lavender oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil. These essential oils can be used just like citronella candles: place some drops on cotton balls or burn them as incense inside your house to ward off pesky insects while you relax indoors after dinner or watch TV with friends.
Clean Out Your Flower Beds
Mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae will live in any standing water for up to a year, eating algae, bacteria and other organic matter.
The best way to prevent these pests from breeding in your flower bed is by cleaning out any old leaves or debris that may be lying around.
If you have an extra pail of water left over after watering your plants, dump it out in a designated area instead of letting it sit until it becomes stagnant.
It’s also important that you keep all drains clean and free of clogs so that they do not collect any standing water when it rains outside or if there are particularly heavy storms during monsoon season!
This includes both outdoor drains as well as indoor ones located under sinks or bathtubs inside your home (these can often become blocked with hair).
Mosquitoes are not only annoying, but they can also carry diseases. Keep them away with our proven ways on how to keep mosquitoes away, which include everything from using natural repellents to getting rid of standing water
Utilize Citronella Candles
Another effective way to keep mosquitoes away is by using citronella candles. These are natural and safe, and they don’t contain any chemicals. Since they are so effective, you can place them all around your house to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Citronella candles have a pleasant scent that will not only repel mosquitoes but also give off a nice fragrance in your house as well.
Get Rid of Standing Water
Getting rid of standing water is the most effective way to prevent mosquitoes. Mosquito eggs need a place to settle, and that usually means ponds, puddles or other sources of still water.
If you can get rid of these pools and puddles, then you’ll be able to stop mosquitoes from breeding near your home.
To get rid of standing water:
- Empty containers that hold it (buckets, flowerpots)
- Get rid of any pooling in gutters or downspouts
- Clean clogged rain gutters
If there is any history behind how long this has been happening around your house then you may want to consider calling an exterminator as well because they will know what type of insecticides work best against flying insects like mosquitoes.
You don’t want another infestation next year because now they know where their habitat is located!
| Items to Check | Actions |
|---|---|
| Flower pots and vases | Empty water and turn over when not in use |
| Birdbaths | Change water frequently |
| Gutters | Clean out debris to allow proper drainage |
| Trash cans and recycling bins | Keep lids tightly closed |
| Unused pools and hot tubs | Cover or drain completely |
| Rain barrels | Cover with mesh or screen |
Spray Apple Cider Vinegar
This is a great natural remedy to keep mosquitoes away. It’s even more effective if you mix it with other substances such as witch hazel or garlic oil.
To make your own spray, pour one part apple cider vinegar and three parts water into a small bottle.
Make sure that the container is glass or plastic so that you can use it again later on (unless you’re planning to throw it out after spraying). Then, shake the mixture well before using it as an insect repellent.
Spray your skin and clothes before going outdoors if possible!
Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer! Check out our article on how to repel mosquitoes for easy and effective ways to keep them at bay, whether you’re indoors or outdoors.”
Use Tea Tree Oil for a Natural Repellent
You can use tea tree oil as an alternative to chemical-based mosquito repellents. This natural remedy works by emitting a smell that mosquitoes and other insects don’t like.
The scent comes from the essential oils in the oil, which are released when it’s heated up or applied to your skin.
Tea tree oil has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions like acne and eczema, but did you know it’s also effective at keeping mosquitoes away? In fact, according to some studies, tea tree oil can be more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes (and other bugs).
Use Lavender Oil As a Repellent
You can use lavender oil in a number of ways to keep mosquitoes out of your home. One option is to make your own repellent, using a mixture of one part lavender oil and three parts coconut or olive oil.
Another option is to place small bowls of water outside with a few drops of lavender essential oil in them.
This will help keep mosquitoes away from the area where you’re relaxing outdoors on warm nights and other times when you want to enjoy the great outdoors without being bothered by pests!
Use Peppermint Oil to Keep Mosquitoes Away
Peppermint oil is a natural mosquito repellent that you can use to keep mosquitoes out of your home. Peppermint oil has been shown to have a strong effect on mosquitoes and other pests, including ticks and fleas.
Here’s how to make your own peppermint oil mosquito spray:
Add 20 drops of essential peppermint oil (or more if desired) to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well before using each time you apply it as the water will dilute the concentration over time.
You can add 10 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil for an extra punch since lemongrass is also known in research as one of the best natural mosquito repellents available today!
Spray around doors and windows where insects enter your home–avoiding dogs or cats who may lick up the mixture while they’re outside eating lunch!
Also use this spray inside around bedtime so that its pleasant scent will help send them back outside again once everyone has gone to bed for the evening!
Mosquito bites can leave unsightly scars, but there are ways to reduce their appearance. Learn more about getting rid of mosquito bite scars with our guide, which includes both natural and medical treatments
Create an Essential Oil Blend That Repels Mosquitoes
Using essential oils is the easiest way to keep mosquitoes out of your house. You can mix up an all-natural, DIY mosquito repellent by mixing 2 drops each of lavender, lemongrass, peppermint and eucalyptus oils with 6 ounces of water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before each use.
The ingredients should be diluted further if you have sensitive skin or breathe through your mouth when sleeping (because it’s easier) and don’t want to wake up with a headache from breathing too much oil in the air around you!
| Essential Oils | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Citronella oil | 10 drops |
| Lemongrass oil | 5 drops |
| Eucalyptus oil | 5 drops |
| Peppermint oil | 5 drops |
| Diluted carrier oil (such as coconut oil) | 1/4 cup |
Buy a Mosquito Trap
Buy a mosquito trap. Mosquito traps work by attracting mosquitoes with carbon dioxide, and then trapping them in a net.
The mosquito trap is also known as a bug zapper. You can use it indoors or outdoors, but keep in mind that the more you have them around your house, the more mosquitoes will be drawn to their light and heat.
Want to keep mosquitoes away without using harmful chemicals? Our article on how to keep mosquitoes away naturally has got you covered. From essential oils to plants, discover the natural remedies that can help repel mosquitoes
Conclusion
There are a lot of ways to keep mosquitoes out of your house. You can try some or all of the items above, depending on how much time you want to invest and how willing you are to make changes in your home.
If none of these options work for you, it might be time to consider investing in one of the many mosquito traps that are available today.
Further Reading
Mosquitoes: Protect your home checklist: A comprehensive checklist of ways to protect your home from mosquitoes, including tips on reducing breeding sites and using insecticides.
Controlling Mosquitoes at Home: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides useful information on controlling mosquitoes at home, including steps you can take to eliminate standing water and use insect repellent.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes: This Old House reviews the best ways to get rid of mosquitoes, including using insecticides, natural repellents, and traps.
FAQs
What diseases can mosquitoes carry?
Mosquitoes can carry a range of diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and yellow fever.
How can I protect myself from mosquito bites?
To protect yourself from mosquito bites, you can wear long-sleeved clothing and use insect repellent. You can also use mosquito nets over your bed and install screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
How do I get rid of mosquitoes in my home?
To get rid of mosquitoes in your home, you can use insecticides, mosquito traps, or natural repellents. Eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed can also help control their population.
When are mosquitoes most active?
Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk, although some species of mosquitoes can be active during the daytime.
Do mosquitoes prefer certain types of people?
Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, which is released when people breathe. They are also attracted to heat, sweat, and certain chemicals in skin. As a result, some people may be more attractive to mosquitoes than others.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
