Natural Mosquito Control: How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Without Sprays
It’s springtime in the US. As our yards and flowers are waking up, so are the spring and summer pests. I’ve already started noticing mosquitos hovering around some of my gutter downspouts. Before you call your local Mosquito Bro consider some alternatives.
Do Mosquito Sprays Actually Work? (Spoiler, They Don’t)
Traditional mosquito treatment uses a chemical called pyrethroids. It’s a synthetic version of pyrethrin, a derivative of chrysanthemums. Sounds natural and plant based, right? Unfortunately it’s not that simple. These chemicals are broad nerve agents, impacting the insect’s nervous system.
We’re finding more and more mosquito populations are becoming resistant to this chemical, decreasing its effectiveness. In fact, the CDC has stated that removing standing water and preventing larva is the only long term effective solution, while adding that spraying for adults is the least effective solution.
How Pesticides Affect Your Yard and Wildlife
The sprays that may (or may not) reduce mosquitoes also reduce all the beneficial insects in our gardens. Insect abundance has declined more than 75% over the last 30 years with pesticides being a major contributor. While it might sound nice in theory, most of the loss is beneficial insects that compete with mosquitoes. Residue from pesticides can travel up to 100m, approximately a football field, and poison caterpillars, butterflies, bees, and fireflies.
The CDC warns these pesticides are toxic to fish, birds, and small wildlife. As the birds, frogs, and fish eat the sprayed mosquitos they become sickened as well. The drift from these chemicals can be far reaching and detrimental to the local wildlife.
Are Mosquito Treatments Safe for Kids and Pets?What Are the Impacts to Your Family?
The trouble doesn’t stop at your door either. While pesticide companies claim safety, growing research suggests otherwise. An Environmental Health study found that young boys with detectable levels of mosquito treatment chemical pyrethroid are three times more likely to have ADHD. The same studies also found children under 5 exposed to pesticides were more than twice as likely to develop asthma.
Our pets spend even more time in the chemically treated grass. They’re 70% more likely to develop cancerous lymphomas if they live in a household that treats with conventional pesticides and herbicides.
In fact these pesticides contribute to tap water pollution, with US tap water testing positive for over 100 pesticides. It’s a small step but ditching conventional mosquito chemicals is a step in the right direction. One with compounding impacts for your health.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes That Actually Work
Natural prevention is the most effective way to reduce mosquito populations so you can actually get out and enjoy your backyard. Plus the clean space and native flowers will encourage you to spend even more time out there. Hello vitamin D!
Reducing standing water is the first and most important step. This is the most impactful thing you can do. Adult mosquitos lay their eggs in still or standing water. Those eggs hatch into larvae and eventually grow up to be adults, starting the process all over again. We want to interrupt the cycle and prevent those babies from becoming egg laying adults. Certain mosquito eggs can survive multiple wet/dry cycles, so unfortunately you have to be diligent about removing standing water and its sources.
After we decrease their opportunities to lay eggs we want to plant flowers that deter them. While research suggests these plants mostly deter mosquitos when crushed, they’ll still attract beneficial pollinators. They also build a more bird and bat friendly ecosystem. Another important line of defense against mosquitos.
A list of my favorite anti-mosquito plants include:
Lavender
Basil (my personal favorite)
Lemon balm
Citronella grass
Marigolds
Rosemary
Mint
Catnip
Alliums (I love how whimsical these look)
Sage
I just planted two small container herb gardens and this is an easy way to add a bunch of these plants to your yard, and a few to your plate as well.
DIY Mosquito Audit (Find What’s Attracting Them)
Take a few minutes this weekend and run through this quick checklist to look for sources of standing water in your backyard.
Non-Toxic Mosquito Repellent Alternatives
You’ve removed standing water and added beneficial plants — still looking for more? The next level of non-toxic mosquito prevention layers in traps and more chemical-free repellents.
Creating mosquito bait stations with buckets, some grass clippings and Mosquito Dunks, lure adults into the bucket to lay their eggs. However once the eggs are laid, beneficial bacteria in the Mosquito Dunks kill the larvae. Deadly to baby mosquitos but safe in stock ponds, animal watering troughs, and bird baths. You just don’t want anyone to eat a whole one so cover the bucket with wire or a plant cover.
Another step in our multi-step approach to reducing mosquitos is cedar mulch or chips. Research shows cedar oil can deter mosquitos by disrupting the sense of smell (how they locate humans) and disorienting them. You can buy cedar oil spray, but be cautious of spraying during the day as you might impact pollinators.
Research suggests cedar shavings, mulch and oil also deter ants, ticks, spiders, silverfish, and cockroaches. Making it effective against more than just mosquitos.
Kid-Friendly Backyard Ideas That Reduce Mosquitoes
Making your backyard a mosquito-free zone can be a great excuse to try some kid-friendly gardening projects.
Try:
Making a container garden (steps here)
Planting native flowers
Assembling mosquito buckets (follow these steps)
Any of these are a great excuse to get outside and get off your phone for a little while.
Like everything, we have to start somewhere. If the low-tox living narrative is overwhelming, don’t worry. You can commit to taking 15 minutes this weekend to audit your backyard for standing water and cancel that pest control appointment. That’s a huge win for your local wildlife and hopefully your health.
Affiliate disclosure: This article does contain a few affiliate links. They’re provided at no cost to you, but based solely on my previous purchases and recommendations.
A $65 Herb Garden Should be the Start of your Garden Journey
Do you know where your produce originated?
I bet you didn't know your produce generally travels pretty far before it shows up on the shelves at your grocery. The average produce item originates in Mexico or California, 1,500 - 2,500 miles for those of us on the east coast. Some are even imported from the Middle East.
After harvesting, herbs and vegetables start to lose their nutrients almost immediately. Some studies even found up to 50% loss of key vitamins within just days of harvesting.
Now I'm not suggesting we all start growing avocados, but herbs are one of the easiest ways to start. They take up so little space, are relatively easy to grow, and appear on the list of the most heavily treated with herbicides and pesticides.
How control over your food helps keep your family healthy
Opt for organic when possible
I'm a city girl and not trying to convince you to start raising your own livestock, but I do think gardening is a lost art. I think we should know what we're putting on, and most importantly, in our body. Being an informed consumer holds companies to higher standards and is an easy way to keep our families healthy and happy.
Mental and physical benefits of gardening
Have you killed all your indoor plants? Don't stress, an outdoor herb garden is more beginner friendly.
A herb garden won't take more than 15 to 20 minutes a week to maintain, but it's an incredible entry into the world of gardening and its endless benefits. Consider that time almost like a multi vitamin. Bacteria in the soil, Mycobacterium vaccae, have been found to release serotonin, a feel good brain chemical. Studies also show that even just 30 minutes in the garden reduces cortisol, the stress hormone that wakes you up at 3am. Getting sunlight in the morning helps regulate our circadian rhythm and provides a boost of vitamin D, something most of us are deficient in. There's even some cognitive benefits from fine motor skills.
I know I'm making it sound too good to be true, but gardening really is an incredible boost for our health. And we haven't even gotten to the taste and nutrient of your herb infused cooking.
Cost effective way to improve your cooking
Sprinkling some fresh herbs on your omelets, adding them to soup, or in a marinade before you grill is an easy way to add depths of flavor and add an extra dose of nutrients. I almost never buy the packaged herbs because I know I'll use them once and throw the rest out in a week. It seems like such a waste. Assuming you use the herbs in your garden just 4 to 5 times and you see a significant cost savings. My live herb plants were $5.99 at Lowes instead of $3.50 for wilted rosemary at Publix. Less waste, low cost and tastier food is a no brainer.
Herbs, snapdragons, and strawberries
Which herbs to start with
Rosemary is hardy and fairly easy to grow. It’s perennial in most of the US
Basil matures quickly, but make sure to pinch any flowers off or the taste will change
Parsley & Cilantro grow easily but will wilt back in the summer. They like cooler weather better. I start them but know they won’t get me through an entire summer.
Lavender smells amazing and deters pests
Thyme is another easy to grow herb with tons of uses
Dill is great in cooler weather and attracts a ton of caterpillars. I usually just let the butterflies and caterpillars have the dill.
Add a flower to attract beneficial bugs. I like marigolds, snapdragons or coneflowers.
Materials Required
Here's what you'll need:
A galvanized tub or resin outdoor planter, at least 20 to 30 inches wide
Organic potting soil or raised garden soil
A way to create drainage holes if none are present (I use a hammer and nail)
4-6 herbs of your choice (you could start with seeds, but live plants save significant time)
30 minutes of free time & sunny spot for your new container garden
*These products will all be cheaper at a home improvement store so you might as well get them while you’re grabbing your herbs.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 3 - planting template
1) Add drainage holes if needed
2) Pour a layer of soil until your container is roughly half full
3) Remove the herbs from their pots and use the empty pots as a template for how your herbs will be laid out
4) Fill in the remaining soil around the empty pots, creating holes for your herbs
My planted pots
5) Pat the soil in and remove your empty pots, now place your herbs in their holes
6) Fill in any remaining soil, being careful not to cover the leaves of the plants
7) Give everything a fine pat to firm the soil around the roots
8) Water with anywhere between half a gallon and a gallon. Don't worry about overwatering — our drainage holes will take care of that.
They Also Make a Great Gift
Mother's day is coming up and this is one of my favorite gift ideas. It's low cost and shows a lot of thought and consideration. It's also my go-to housewarming or teacher appreciation gift.