5 Ways to Give Mosquitoes the Flick... Nicely
Outdoor living can be marred by hungry biters who want to join the party. Wage war with these non-toxic solutions
Nobody likes to ‘whine and dine’ outdoors in the Antipodean summer. Even though the warmer temperatures bring many fantastic ways to enjoy ourselves outside, good times can be spoilt by summer bugs, and the daddy of them all is the small but perfectly annoying mosquito.
1. Be Screen Smart
Putting a physical barrier between you and critters is an effective way to discourage them.
Make it a total no-fly zone
Some of us have fond memories of sleeping in a fully screened verandah on hot nights. Full screening is the best way to ensure complete protection – hearing that shrill song on the other side is a secure feeling. Screens don’t block views and light and look right at home in a traditional Aussie bungalow.
Need a stylish flyscreen solution? Find a window specialist in your area to discover your screening options
Putting a physical barrier between you and critters is an effective way to discourage them.
Make it a total no-fly zone
Some of us have fond memories of sleeping in a fully screened verandah on hot nights. Full screening is the best way to ensure complete protection – hearing that shrill song on the other side is a secure feeling. Screens don’t block views and light and look right at home in a traditional Aussie bungalow.
Need a stylish flyscreen solution? Find a window specialist in your area to discover your screening options
Hang curtains
Not a total blockade, but outdoor curtains and fabric drops provide some protection. They waft light insects away, give privacy and a lovely summery air. Diaphanous drapes allow filtered sunlight in to create an intimate outdoor living space. They can also be taken down for winter storage.
Transform your deck into decadence with overhead fabric strips and simply hung curtains. Love the puddled effect on the grass here – and that little pool!
Not a total blockade, but outdoor curtains and fabric drops provide some protection. They waft light insects away, give privacy and a lovely summery air. Diaphanous drapes allow filtered sunlight in to create an intimate outdoor living space. They can also be taken down for winter storage.
Transform your deck into decadence with overhead fabric strips and simply hung curtains. Love the puddled effect on the grass here – and that little pool!
This fabulous stainless-steel mesh curtain is a modern take on outdoor fly screens.
Drape small areas
No chemicals are required when you are this ingenious. A net hooked onto an overhanging tree makes a mozzie-tight place for reading and relaxing.
No chemicals are required when you are this ingenious. A net hooked onto an overhanging tree makes a mozzie-tight place for reading and relaxing.
Want, want, want a cocoon like this! It looks comfortable enough to sleep in, and snugly safe from nocturnal nasties.
2. Keep Cool
Mosquitoes are attracted by warmth, and our hot, sweaty summer skin is a very inviting proposition. Check these suggestions to keep your temperature down.
Install an outdoor fan
Outdoor fans multi-task in entertaining areas. As well as reducing skin temperature, a fan wafts insects, cooking aromas and smoke away and disperses heat from cooking appliances such as wood-fired ovens and barbecues.
Tip: Even in a small outdoor nook, a portable electric fan is an effective way of cooling your skin and directing mozzies elsewhere.
Mosquitoes are attracted by warmth, and our hot, sweaty summer skin is a very inviting proposition. Check these suggestions to keep your temperature down.
Install an outdoor fan
Outdoor fans multi-task in entertaining areas. As well as reducing skin temperature, a fan wafts insects, cooking aromas and smoke away and disperses heat from cooking appliances such as wood-fired ovens and barbecues.
Tip: Even in a small outdoor nook, a portable electric fan is an effective way of cooling your skin and directing mozzies elsewhere.
Don’t install a ceiling fan directly above a gas barbecue, as it will divert the heat source from the food being cooked. An extractor fan is the best option.
Browse beautiful patios to inspire your own
Browse beautiful patios to inspire your own
Cool off alfresco
I’m not suggesting that your guests strip off and jump in the shower, but if you are lazing about privately, a quick splash under an outside shower is a great way to cool skin if you don’t have a pool. This little beauty is tucked away discreetly where the run-off can drain straight into the garden.
I’m not suggesting that your guests strip off and jump in the shower, but if you are lazing about privately, a quick splash under an outside shower is a great way to cool skin if you don’t have a pool. This little beauty is tucked away discreetly where the run-off can drain straight into the garden.
Before there were pools, there were backyard hoses. Tender baby skin is mecca for mozzies, so give your little ones a hose to keep them cool – safer than a pool, and lots more fun.
3. Use Good Scents
Enlist Mother Nature. There are many aromatic plants said to be disincentives to little biters. Grow them in pots and garden beds close to your entertaining area. Release more aroma by brushing them as you go by or walking through them. They’ll smell delightful while they discourage critters. Rosemary is a hardy, prolific grower, and makes a great edging or hedge plant. Crush the leaves lightly with your hands while you are sitting outside and rub around ankles and wrists.
Enlist Mother Nature. There are many aromatic plants said to be disincentives to little biters. Grow them in pots and garden beds close to your entertaining area. Release more aroma by brushing them as you go by or walking through them. They’ll smell delightful while they discourage critters. Rosemary is a hardy, prolific grower, and makes a great edging or hedge plant. Crush the leaves lightly with your hands while you are sitting outside and rub around ankles and wrists.
Pots of rosemary on the table smell good, and diners can pluck a twig and rub it on their skin for extra protection – as a bonus, it also goes well with lamb. Simply throw a few rosemary sprigs on the barbecue at the last minute when cooking meat, or skewer meat on rosemary stalks.
Lavender
Lavender is a popular and easily grown plant with long history in the medicinal field and makes a stunning massed display in cottage gardens.
Lavender is one of the few essential oils that can be safely applied directly to the skin. Stroke a small amount on pulse points.
Lavender is a popular and easily grown plant with long history in the medicinal field and makes a stunning massed display in cottage gardens.
Lavender is one of the few essential oils that can be safely applied directly to the skin. Stroke a small amount on pulse points.
Other natural repellents
There are several other plants you could try in pots or garden beds, such as marigolds, sage, geraniums, peppermint, basil, lemongrass and lemon balm. Crushing the leaves and steeping them in vodka or witch hazel for a day or two makes a personal repellent spray – use lightly every couple of hours (this one’s for adults only).
Lemon balm contains the compound citronellal, which mimics citronella, a proven deterrent.
Tip: Marigold petals are also edible and look pretty sprinkled on salads.
There are several other plants you could try in pots or garden beds, such as marigolds, sage, geraniums, peppermint, basil, lemongrass and lemon balm. Crushing the leaves and steeping them in vodka or witch hazel for a day or two makes a personal repellent spray – use lightly every couple of hours (this one’s for adults only).
Lemon balm contains the compound citronellal, which mimics citronella, a proven deterrent.
Tip: Marigold petals are also edible and look pretty sprinkled on salads.
4. Clean Water Only
Mosquitoes breed in moist conditions. Cleaning out possible habitats at the beginning of the season is a good precaution. These include gutters and damp stagnant garden areas such as leaf piles and tanks.
Keep water at a distance
Try to plan your garden so water features such as ponds are not too close to outdoor entertaining areas. Turn electrical water features on regularly to keep water circulating and to inhibit growth of moss and sludge.
Mosquitoes breed in moist conditions. Cleaning out possible habitats at the beginning of the season is a good precaution. These include gutters and damp stagnant garden areas such as leaf piles and tanks.
Keep water at a distance
Try to plan your garden so water features such as ponds are not too close to outdoor entertaining areas. Turn electrical water features on regularly to keep water circulating and to inhibit growth of moss and sludge.
Maintain all water sources
Passive water features such as birdbaths can become little mozzie love nests. Clean the bowl and change water once a week and empty if you are away for long periods. Don’t site still water features directly next to or on a deck or patio.
Passive water features such as birdbaths can become little mozzie love nests. Clean the bowl and change water once a week and empty if you are away for long periods. Don’t site still water features directly next to or on a deck or patio.
5. Don’t be too attractive
While some odours are a mozzie put-off, others lure them in – if, like me, you feel undressed without perfume, know that you could be making yourself a mozzie magnet.
While some odours are a mozzie put-off, others lure them in – if, like me, you feel undressed without perfume, know that you could be making yourself a mozzie magnet.
Highly perfumed flowers
As gorgeous as it is to have masses of summer blooms surrounding your deck, some will draw unwanted attention. Grow them where you can enjoy them without giving mosquitoes the go-ahead.
Your turn
Do you have a natural mosquito repellent idea that works for you? Tell us about it in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Rethinking your garden? Read this first: 12 Ways to Design a Low-Maintenance Garden
As gorgeous as it is to have masses of summer blooms surrounding your deck, some will draw unwanted attention. Grow them where you can enjoy them without giving mosquitoes the go-ahead.
Your turn
Do you have a natural mosquito repellent idea that works for you? Tell us about it in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Rethinking your garden? Read this first: 12 Ways to Design a Low-Maintenance Garden
All is not lost – there are many gentle, natural ways to give them the brush-off. Here are five approaches to try.