I’m a pest control expert & there are 4 ingredients you can use to get rid of mosquitoes… you probably already have them
AS the weather warms up loads of us are spending more time outside and leaving windows open in our homes.
But with the glorious sunshine comes pesky mosquitoes, which can be tricky to get rid of.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend a fortune to keep your garden and home mosquitoes-free.
Speaking to Homes & Gardens Zahid Adan, garden pest expert at The Plant Bible, shared how anyone can make their own repellent.
Lemon and eucalyptus oil
You can mix together lemon oil and eucalyptus oil to make a handy mosquito repellent spray, the pro revealed.
Simply mix equal amounts of each and a splash of water to make the spray.
“Lemon and eucalyptus oils contain natural compounds, such as citronellal and citronellol, which act as potent mosquito repellents.
“These ingredients help mask the scent of carbon dioxide and lactic acid, which are attractive to mosquitoes, thus making it less likely for them to find their human targets,” the expert said.
Neem and Coconut oil
“This solution blends to form a barrier on the skin, making it more challenging for mosquitoes to land and bite – it is also super hydrating” Zahid said.
Neem oil is also great to keep other pests at bay, including get of grasshoppers, so it’s great to keep on hand during the summer.
Catnip oil
Catnip oil is a common ingredient in a lot of bug repellent sprays, Derek Cummings, of Price Termite and Pest Control explained.
Although it’s not as easy to get your hands on as some other options, it can work wonders.
In fact, it’s “thought to offer up to seven hours of mosquito protection when made into a spray with water, according to the EPA,” Derek added.
Citronella
Citronella is well known for deterring mosquitoes, and is easy to get in different forms, including sprays, candles and defusers.
You can also buy it as an oil to make your own spray, or even your own candle with paraffin wax if you fancy a little DIY project, Diana Cox, founder of The Gardening Talk, noted.
You can also add citronella plants to your garden, for a longer lasting deterrent.