Getting Rid of Mosquitoes
While you'll likely never be able to spend a warm summer evening outside completely free of mosquitoes, there are some ways to cut down on mosquito populations so your outdoor barbecues are more pleasant.
Mosquitoes and ticks often rest in tall grasses, and such areas are more likely to collect water, which they also find attractive. Therefore, keep grasses short, and eliminate all pools of stagnant water, even the tiniest ones: saucers under plants, garbage cans and lids, spare tires or tire swings, clogged gutters, birdbaths and rain puddles.
Since adult mosquitoes are least active during the day, you can spray a botanical insecticide, such as the Organic Mosquito and Gnat Repellent sold at Planet Natural, on shrubs and the lower limbs of trees while they're at rest. Avoid sprays that contain permethrin (or any related chemicals ending in –thrin), often billed as eco-friendly since it's derived from chrysanthemums. However, it can cause asthma attacks, headaches and nausea and interferes with development in aquatic animals.
Since it's difficult to eliminate mosquitoes at their source, protecting yourself is the next best thing.
For more on eco-friendly insect repellents, read Green Guide's "Insect Repellents Buying Guide."
