Reducing Mosquitos Safely
Reducing mosquitos safely is important to me and my organic farming. I want to enjoy the great outdoors without being eaten alive by mosquitos. And my poor animals are getting bitten as well. However I also do not want to spread or spray toxic repellants either. If it is not natural using essential oils it is likely a pesticide, which will kill many beneficial insects and pollinators too.
Mosquitoes are known for transmitting other diseases, and mosquito bites are incredibly irritating, causing redness, swelling, pain, and itching. When reducing mosquito populations it is crucial to use safe and environmentally friendly mosquito control methods that do not harm non-target species or the environment.
“Yes, they’re an important food source for dragonflies, lizards, birds, bats, frogs, and fish but no matter how deep your love for ecology, it’s hard not to be bothered by mosquitos.
People want to enjoy their backyards, unbothered by itchy bites. We often get asked if mosquito fogging will kill other insects. The answer is yes. Sadly, pesticides widely used to control mosquitos have serious impacts on other wildlife.
Despite being approved by the EPA, chemicals used by companies such as Mosquito Joe are highly toxic to bees, butterflies, moths, and countless other beneficial insects. Bifenthrin, deltamethrin, and permethrin—all of which are commonly found in mosquito sprays—can kill bees on contact.” – From an article Buddha Bee Apiary. This article also contains more options for safely repelling mosquitos.
Non-Toxic Ways To Reduce The Mosquito Population
Here’s 10 non-toxic ways to reduce mosquitoes in your home or yard:
1. Remove any standing water around your property as it serves as breeding grounds. Provide drainage or plant something to drink up the water.
2. Apply mosquito repellents made from natural ingredients. Such as essential oils, like citronella, rosemary, and peppermint (see my favorite below).
3. Use mosquito traps that use carbon dioxide to lure and trap mosquitoes. The problem with UV traps, it can unwillingly kill other insects so I do not advise that option. See my favorites below.
4. Keep your lawn trimmed and well-maintained to reduce mosquito hiding places.
5. Install screens on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out. And if you have a wood burning stove or fireplace with a chimney, seal off the damper completely. I used aluminum foil on mine.
6. Diffuse essential oils like citronella, lavender, peppermint, and basil to repel mosquitoes and other insects. However if you have pets, check to make sure the oil is not toxic to your pet first.
7. Plant mosquito-repelling plants like citronella, lavender, or rosemary in your garden.
8. Using a fan to move the air, this helps keep mosquitos away.
9. Add bat and bird houses to your property. Invite in these natural predators of insects.
10. Ducks eat mosquitos. If you have a pond, invite the wild ducks over if you don’t want your own. Chickens also help or Guinea hens if you are wanting to have them anyway. For more advice on Raising Ducks and Chickens see this page.
By following these non-toxic methods, you can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home without harming the environment, yourself, your pets or other animals.
Fastest Way to Reduce the Mosquito Population
The fastest Way to reduce the Mosquito populations is by using a Mosquito Magnet. That link has the exact model I use. This is a carbon dioxide method trap with an attractant. This works great for us, our pets and our hobby farm animals. I would never want to spray pesticides on any of us.
Currently I have two. One is an older model and only covers a smaller area. This new model covers up to 1 acre. We have a big yard and barnyard area so two works nicely for us to help reduce them in our barn and on the pigs as well as the dogs.
These hold up well also. My older model is approximately 20 years old and still works. And I just recently added this one but all of my photos are from the new model above.
Check out my results below. That catch container is over half full of dead mosquitos in ONE WEEK only!
Top side of catch container.
When you purchase this you will want to buy more attractant for sure. For most of the upper US and East and West Cost the Actenol works best. This last 21 days along with your 20lb propane tank. If you do not have that size propane tank you will need to purchase that as well.
More Southern parts of the US ATRAK3N works best. If you are not sure, in your manual it will have a map. Watch the video below of this mosquito magnet in action.
When running the unit full-time, you’ll notice a decrease in 7-10 days and then for the full effect you can notice in 4 weeks. For maximum reduction of mosquitos, I let it run all summer long.
And trust me there are still plenty this year to feed the dragonflies, birds, frogs and bats.
My Favorite Safe Mosquito Repellants
A Great way to repel mosquitos in about a 15 foot radius are theses Patio Lanterns. These I prefer to use if I am in one location and not moving around. For example like sitting by the campfire or on the deck, etc. The set of two have lights also, so they are great for camping too. The Stainless Steel Lantern doesn’t have a night light option, nor a handle to carry it with, but works just as well.
For when I am moving around I love this Clip-on Portable Repeller. I attach it to my waistband and carry on with watering or weeding the gardens, doing barn chores, or going for a hike. It has a clip on the back so it is great to take with you.
All of these units use the same fuel cell and pads. The repelling pad last for 4 hours and the fuel cell last 12 hours. I like to stock up with the 120 Hours Pack of Refills, the bigger the pack the bigger the savings. But that link contains other size options as well.
I have several of these That I have purchased over the last 20 years and they have lasted. I still have my original ones. Well worth the investment!
Repellant Spray For Reducing Biting Mosquitos Safely
If you prefer to use some sort of spray or want to use this in combination with any of the other options mentioned. That is what I do a combination when the mosquitos are at their peak. Here’s a safe spray that REALLY WORKS!
I have been using this spray for several years it is Primally Pure’s Nature Spray and it is amazing! This works the best out of any natural spray I have ever tried, and there were a lot!
Of course, there are many recipes out there, if you want to try your hand at making them. But it is a rather large investment in good quality oils, and the mess and buying containers to put it in, etc… So personally I prefer to buy one that works!
There is are so many different brands to choose from, but you will not be sorry for buying this one.
Please Don't Be Tempted To Use Toxic Pesticides
Skip the foggers, skip the DEET! You are not only killing mosquitos, but also many beneficial species that we need! And in reality you are slowly poisoning yourself as well as the chemicals seep into your bloodstream.
Personally I use a combination of all of these items I shared, especially if there is a high population of mosquitos. These items I shared above work. And the nature spray smells way better than any bug spray! I also have ducks and chickens but some years they can’t keep up.
This year the mosquito population is just insane. So other measures had to be taken in order to be outside even in the sunshine, to prevent getting carried away. Dragonflies must’ve just hatched so that will help. But I haven’t seen any bats this year yet, they help a lot too. Choose some of the safer options I gave above and skip the toxic pesticide sprays this year.
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