Photo: Scott Hawkins
Ah, mozzies. Scourge of the (hopefully magnificent) New Zealand summer. They buzz about in your ear and their bites are infuriatingly itchy. But mosquitoes aren’t just pesky and annoying little critters. They also happen to pose a very serious health risk and are known to transmit harmful human diseases.
That’s why it’s essential to keep mosquitoes out of your home and stay protected while outdoors, especially during the summer months when mosquitoes proliferate. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep these nasty bugs at bay, including a range of more environmentally friendly natural remedies. However, it’s worth noting that these remedies have typically been found significantly less effective than their traditional counterparts; a mix of mozzie-repelling strategies should work best.
Here, we provide some simple solutions to mozzie-proof your home and protect yourself from pesky bites. We recommend that you use several methods at once for multiple lines of defence.
How to get rid of mosquitoes in and around your home
1. Deal with the source
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so to curb mozzie numbers, empty and clear out all pools, puddles, gutters and ponds that could house mosquito larvae. You could also try placing used coffee grounds – a mozzie deterrent – around areas in your backyard that could be harbouring larvae.
2. Create a barrier
Combatting pesky mosquitoes can often result in resorting to chemical sprays containing chemicals that may be harmful to beneficial insects, including bees. One of the best ways to reduce reliance on these products is to create a physical barrier between your outdoor entertaining zones and the mozzies.
There’s a variety of mosquito netting you can buy, including doorway netting that opens and closes with magnets, from Spotlight, Bunnings and Amazon. Clothing is also a great barrier to mosquitoes, so if you know you’ll be out at dusk (when they’re most active) wear long-sleeved clothes and full-length pants.
3. Put on mosquito repellent
Traditional mosquito repellent sprays usually contain an ingredient called DEET or picaridin. While highly effective at preventing mosquito bites, these ingredients may cause skin irritation in those with skin sensitivity. When using these sprays, always follow the directions and be sure to thoroughly wash the spray off the skin when protection from mosquitoes is no longer required.
4. Use mosquito-repelling coils and sticks
A mozzie-repelling classic – the smell of them will transport you back to the family holidays of your childhood – and they’re still a good option today. Mosquito coils, when lit, help create a bite-free zone when dining outdoors. The lit coils provide a citronella and/or sandalwood aroma which can repel mozzies.
5. Use citronella oil
Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide (which everyone breathes out) and citronella is thought to act as a mask, covering up scents that attract mosquitoes. While citronella only provides limited protection from mosquitoes, they are a good component of any multi-faceted mosquito repelling strategy.
The oil comes in candles and can be poured into Survivor-esque torches. You can also get wearable bands and bracelets for those most susceptible to bites. Most importantly, it is a safe and non-toxic method of repelling mosquitoes.
6. Make a DIY mosquito trap
Keeping mosquitoes at bay is a long game. These pesky insects can lay hundreds of eggs at a time, so consistently curbing their numbers by employing traps is essential to an effective mozzie management strategy. You can make your own mosquito trap…
With beer:
Believe it or not, mosquitoes are attracted to beer. Create mozzie traps by placing small glasses of el-cheapo lager around your outdoor area. The yeast in the beer attracts mosquitos to the beverage. Unfortunately, drinking beer won’t prevent you from getting bitten.
With sugar:
Cut a plastic bottle in half. In the bottom half add one tablespoon of brown sugar and one cup of hot water. Mix until dissolved. When it’s cool, empty the mixture into the bottom half of the bottle and add a teaspoon of yeast.
Place the other half of the bottle upside down in the bottom half and connect with black tape. Be careful to leave the top unobstructed. Place the trap in a mosquito-prone area and change the solution every two weeks.
With soap:
Fill a bowl or bucket with water before adding a few drops of liquid detergent. Place your slightly soapy trap in outdoor areas where mozzies seem to congregate. The soap reduces surface tension, causing the mosquitoes to drown in the water.
7. Plant a few mosquito-repelling shrubs
While scientific studies have found no evidence of plants that repel mosquitoes, some shrubs are thought to be effective in preventing the breeding of mosquitos nearby. The theory goes that these plants give off natural odours that mosquitoes just can’t stand. So, if you’re looking to use plant power to keep mozzies from multiplying in your garden, try planting these in your garden:
- Tulsi
- Mint
- Marigold
- Lemon trees
- Neem trees
- Citronella grass
- Basil
- Lavender
- Catnip
Common backyard breeding grounds for mosquitoes
Mosquitoes tend to breed in still water and other damp places where water collects. Here are some common spots around the house and garden where mosquitoes lay eggs:
- Tall grass
- Bird baths and garden water features
- Pot plant bases
- Open bins
- Drains and gutters
- Poorly covered septic and rainwater tanks
What gets rid of mosquitoes quickly?
Unfortunately, there’s no 100 per cent effective quick fix to eliminating mosquitoes, but by removing breeding sites (stagnant water), protecting yourself with mosquito repellant, placing traps outside, planting mosquito-repelling shrubs and keeping mozzies out with the use of flywire and netting, you should be able to have a (relatively) bite-free summer.
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