What Mosquito Repellent Should I Use for My Yard?

Mosquito repellent for your yard is essential if you and your family are looking forward to enjoying your home’s outdoor space in peace this spring and summer. These pesky bugs arrive in swarms, carrying dangerous diseases and itchy bites with them. 

DIY Mosquito Repellent for Yard

Personal Repellent

Citronella candles or coils, and essential oil spray consisting of lemon eucalyptus, lavender, cinnamon, thyme or tea tree (melaleuca) can be effective personal, wearable repellents when it comes to protecting your skin from being attacked by mosquitoes. Citronella candles are most effective when placed around the perimeter of your gathering space. Essential oil sprays are gentle on the skin when applied with carrier oils, such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba, or argan oil, to avoid any irritation or burns.

Box Fans

Box fans are another great option for trapping and repelling mosquitoes. What’s more, you can even create effective DIY traps from household items you probably have lying around.  

Mosquitoes have very fragile and weak wings making it difficult for them to fight against fast-moving air. To repel mosquitoes, all you need is a box fan or a porch ceiling fan. To create a wind trap, grab a mesh screen to attach to the backside of a box fan.

 Barrier Treatments

Mosquito Squad professionals developed a mosquito yard treatment blend in the early 2000s that has since been used more than 2 million times to successfully repel mosquitoes from more than 300,000 properties across the United States. Mosquito Squad’s protective barrier spray reduces up to 85-90% of mosquito populations in a treated area, lasting for up to 21 days at a time. We offer regular, recurring mosquito control services to keep mosquitoes at bay throughout the warm season or a two-time special event treatment that keeps these obnoxious pests away from your planned outdoor gathering.

In addition to the traditional blend, we offer a natural mosquito repellent for yards  as well. This is an essential oil-based concoction that repels mosquitoes from your property for up to 21 days. The natural alternative to our barrier treatment may contain ingredients such as lemongrass oil, geraniol, castor oil, cedarwood oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, and corn oil. 

Traps

Mosquito traps can be considered permanent repellent, if you will, and are another great option for thinning the swarm. Effective DIY traps can be made quickly from common household items you probably have laying around. Here are a few tried-and-true mosquito traps.

Yeast & Sugar Traps

Materials: 

• Empty 2-liter plastic bottle
• Granulated white sugar
• Yeast
• Water 
• Black cloth or handkerchief

Start by cutting the top off of your plastic bottle, leaving the section just below the neck of the container. Set the cut-off portion aside. Inside your plastic bottle, mix 4 tablespoons of sugar, 1 cup of warm water, and ⅓ tablespoon of yeast. 

Flip over the cut-off portion of the bottle to form a funnel. Insert this piece upside-down into the open top of your plastic bottle and seal the edges with tape or glue. Finally, wrap the bottle in your black or navy piece of fabric– dark colors helps attract the mosquitoes. Refill your trap with sugar and yeast every few days as needed. 

Stillwater Trap

A stillwater trap is effective against only female mosquitoes, as they are looking for a place to lay their eggs, but given that female mosquitoes are the only ones that bite it’s still an efficient method for mosquito repellent. However, mosquitoes will still bite before laying eggs, so you may want to think about using secondary reinforcements to this mosquito repellent method.

You will need:

• A bucket or large bowl
• Water, of course.
• Dish soap or liquid detergent of your choosing

This is likely the simplest trap of them all, since all you have to do is fill your container with water, add a few drops of soap or liquid detergent, and mix without overproducing bubbles. 

Mosquito Repellent for Yard in CT

There are countless options for mosquito yard treatments, whether you choose to enlist professional service or DIY mosquito repellent for your yard. Mosquito Squad’s trained professionals are ready to help you get started on making your yard a comfortable place to be this spring and summer, so get in touch with us today.