1. Plant a Garden

There are some plants that mosquitoes don't like, such as citronella, lemon balm, basil, mint, rosemary, catnip, marigolds, and lavender. Plant these liberally in your garden, especially around entertaining spaces. When you pass by the plants, be sure to brush them or rub the leaves. This releases the oils into the air and onto your skin.

continue reading below

2. Protect Your Skin, Naturally

Make up a batch of all-natural bug repellent made with a combination of essential oils that won't drive your friends and family away but will keep mosquitoes from feasting. Get the recipe on Garden Therapy.

3. Ditch the Water

Mosquitoes breed in standing water and don't like to travel far for food. If you have a prevalent mosquito problem, look around your outdoor space for the breeding ground. Birdbaths, ponds, and even a little pocket of rainwater can be the culprits. Flush water regularly and you should outsmart them.

Get Customized Backyard Solutions

4. Keep It Clean

Neglected plant pots, shrubs, and debris around the garden make up the perfect habitat for mosquitoes. A few water drops is all it takes for them to breed and create a small army of party poopers. Keep your yard regularly maintained and you will be ruining the mosquitoes' party instead.

5. DIY Citronella Candles

Citronella Candles are a cinch to make using old candle wax, citronella oil, and soup cans. This clever recycling project lets you add a few more scents in case you don't fully appreciate the strong aroma of citronella on its own. View the DIY Citronella Candle tutorial on Garden Therapy.

6. Start a Breeze

On very warm evenings, bring a fan outdoors and face it toward the party. The warm breeze will do double duty by cooling guests down while blowing uninvited pests away.

7. Get Over Your Arachnophobia

Spiders might be a nightmare for some people, but no one fears them more than mosquitoes. Let spiders weave their webs around your garden, and they just might end up doing all the bug-catching for you. If spiders aren't your thing, invite some other mosquito-loving friends to your garden like birds, frogs, turtles, fish, and dragonflies.

Containers for Pollinators

Containers for Pollinators