6 Ways to Beat Mosquitoes Naturally

1. citronella essential oil

2. Catnip Research at Iowa State University found that catnip essential oil 10 is times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes.

3. Lavender essential oil

4. Soy oil Better yet, choose organic soy oil as the carrier oil for catnip, lavender, and citronella essential oils. According to research published in The New England Journal of Medicine soybean oil-based mosquito repellents are as effective as DEET-containing repellents.

5. NEEM seed oil “Neem oil” is extracted from a plant that grows in India. An ingredient in Neem seed oil has also been found to be more effective than DEET by researchers at the Malaria Institute in India. Both the US National Research Council and the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association have confirmed this finding.

6. Garlic Eat lots of fresh garlic—mosquitoes will steer clear of you since they hate the stuff.

Good way to avoid artificial chemicals of traditional insect repellants.

How to Make Non-Toxic Pest Repellents

One effective recipe for a repellent spray uses 10 cloves of garlic, 8 hot chili peppers (any variety), 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap, and 2 pints of water. Finely chop the cloves of garlic and hot chili peppers. Combine those with the water and allow the mixture to steep overnight. The next day, strain the mixture and add the oil and soap. Pour ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the mixture on the leaves of healthy plants, and repeat once a week and after it rains. The strong smells will repel insects from coming near your plants.

 A simple slug repellent is lava rock. Simply place lava rock around the base of affected plants. The rough, abrasive surface will be avoided by slugs.

You can make a non-toxic repellent for rabbits and deer using one part egg, one part milk, one part dish soap, and 5 to 10 garlic cloves. Combine all and mix well in a blender. Keep the mixture in a closed container, preferably outdoors, for 24 to 48 hours, or until it begins to spoil. Then strain it and place the liquid in a spray bottle. Spray it around the perimeter of your garden and plants at least once a week. Rabbits and deer do not like the smell of eggs.

Another recipe for rabbit and deer repellent uses 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoons dish soap, and 10 tablespoons cooking oil. Combine the three and mix very well. Pour into a spray bottle and spray around the perimeter of any plants or shrubs you want to protect. Repeat as needed. The strong smell of cayenne pepper is a major turnoff for rabbits and deer.

Interesting ideas. Would like to try without the soap - if I had the patience. Would prefer to buy something like this pre-mixed, but it’s an interesting concept.

diatomaceous earth : a microscopic, non-toxic solution to fight annoying pests

diatomaceous earth. It’s actually the fossilized remains of microscopic shells. When these remains come into contact with insects, it pierces their shells, so the pests die by dehydration. However, when people touch DE, it’s as soft to the touch as talcum powder and it’s nontoxic. If you have ants or roaches, sprinkle DE around the foundation of your home but not where ladybugs or other beneficial bugs live. Putting it directly on ant piles is also effective. Then, sprinkle it in areas where ants and roaches are most likely to enter your home.

Make sure you buy food grade DE. The other kind of diatomaceous earth is widely used in swimming pools and it is toxic.

even though it’s safe for people and pets, the dust can irritate lungs, especially with prolonged exposure, so wear a mask if you have a big project.
 

via @britta_aragon