Learn how to get of mosquitoes inside the house and anywhere outdoors to keep yourself protected from bites.
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How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes: Avoid Bug Bites Outdoors
Mosquito Repellent Plants
When exploring the wilderness, one of the most important skills to learn is how you can protect yourself from insect bites while outdoors. Repelling insects is one of the major concerns when you're outdoors, especially if you're in an area where there's a grave mosquito problem.
These are just a few of the insect-repellant plants also known to drive off mosquitoes.
1. Sage
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Sage is a popular choice as a natural medicine for cooking and is effective in repelling mosquitoes and other insects. There's a high chance of finding sage in the woods and once you do, burn a bundle of it to get rid of those annoying bugs and prevent them from biting you.
2. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is another herb you can use to repel mosquitoes and other bugs. You can rub the lemon balm leaves onto your skin or throw it into your campfire to drive away from the unwanted visitors.
Lemon balm is common in the wild, but if you don't want to go through the trouble of searching for one, there are also lemon balm in pots you can buy. Bring the leaves to your next outdoor adventure to help keep the mosquitoes away.
3. Citronella Leaves
You probably tried burning citronella candles before to ward off mosquitoes from your home. How did it go? Burning the leaves of the actual plant while outdoors will also have a similar effect.
The aroma of burnt citronella leaves masks the scent in humans that attract mosquitoes. Thus, no enticing scent, no lingering mosquitoes.
4. Peppermint
Peppermint has an invasive nature that's why if there's a peppermint plant previously cultivated in an area, it will continue to populate for a number of years. This perennial plant can be commonly found growing wild. And due to its active ingredients, peppermint can help drive away insects including mosquitoes.
Bruise the peppermint leaves to get its natural oil and rub it onto your skin. Bugs like mosquitoes don't like the peppermint scent so it helps ward bugs off. Plus, it's menthol ingredient has a cooling effect on the skin which helps relieve insect bite if you already got bitten.
5. Catnip
Catnip is another plant we know to effectively keep bugs at bay. Just like the other plants listed above, you can bruise the catnip leaves and rub it directly onto your skin.
You can also infuse the bruised leaves in oil before rubbing on the skin. But since it's unlikely you'll bring olive oil with you in the wilderness, you can just grab a handful of leaves to rub on your exposed skin.
You can also hang catnips around your survival shelter to help drive mosquitoes away.
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Other Ways To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes
The dangers mosquitoes bring is a big cause of concern around the world and should not be ignored. I can't reiterate enough wearing the right clothing is your first line of defense against those pesky bugs.
Apart from that, there are also other ways on how to get rid of mosquitoes and other insects while you're exploring the wild.
6. Apply Mud on Your Skin
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Wearing the proper clothing is vital to your skin's protection. However, if you failed to dress up appropriately, you can cover your skin with mud as an alternative. This will help repel mosquitoes as well as biting black flies.
7. Mosquito Netting
Mosquito netting can be easily packed in your bug-out bag. You can even conveniently carry it in a pocket as you head out into the wilderness.
Set up the net where you'll rest or sleep, but make sure not to press your body against the netting since mosquitoes may be able to bite you through the small holes. You can also use netting hats to protect your face from insect bites while you're wandering outdoors.
Wearing a netting hat may have a few blind spots though, so you need to be more cautious, especially if you are in a place where wild animals can be a threat.
8. Smudge Fire
A smudge fire helps repel mosquitoes because of the smoke it produces. Build a smudge fire using moist wood. You can also use termite-damaged wood or tree smoke like pine.
Using sagebrush, wormwood, and cedar boughs for your smudge fire is also a great idea. Mosquitoes hate the aroma of these tinders, so it will effectively ward off those pesky pests.
9. Permethrin
Permethrin is both an insecticide and a repellent. You can treat your clothes, shoes, and survival gear with this to drive away and kill mosquitoes and other bugs.
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One thing I like about permethrin is its long-lasting effects compared to other mosquito repellents. Plus, it doesn't just repel those pesky bugs, it kills them as well.
What is permethrin? It is a synthetic insecticide with the same properties as the natural extracts of the chrysanthemum flower which helps kill mosquitoes.
Here's another way to get rid of mosquitoes from Coyote Works:
Dressing properly is, without a doubt, your best bet to guarding yourself against mosquitoes and other insects. Wearing the right clothing is likely your best armor against the pesky bugs.
But among these nine ways to get rid of mosquitoes, using permethrin would be my personal recommendation. I've tried treating my clothes and gears with this insecticide on one of my camping trips and it effectively did the job of keeping me bite-free!
Do you have some tips for getting rid of mosquitoes? Share them in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on August 16, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevance.
One prevention before you go to the bug infested area is to take a daily Vitamin B6 supplement. It changes your smell to the bugs. If you stay on a daily basis for about 2 weeks beforehand you will nearly be mosquito free for your whole trip. I used this on a 5 day trip, where others got multiple bites a day even with their bug spray, I got 2 or 3 the whole week.
Mosquitos prefer type “O” Blood. Create the habitat in your BOL surroundings to attract dragon flies, as they eat 30 times their weight a day in mosquitos. Also go learn how to build BAT Houses. Really simple. flat structure with 3 to 4 baffles about 3/4″ separation between each, and score some scratch marks in the sides of the baffles for the bats to hold on to and hang. This bat house needs to be about 15 Ft off the ground as the bats exit the bat house they drop about 5 to 6 feet before they get flight wings to start flying. The Bat House height is high so predators can’t reach the next or upon dropping out to get their flight wings going. They eat thousands of mosquitos a day. Build it and they will come. Try to skip the chemical genocide assault on the entire ecosystem. Try the natural smart eco friendly methods first. Problem with mice, get a barn cat.
My son and his girlfriend live in Dallas, TX and love to spend evenings outside in their backyard. They’ve been noticing mosquitos there for a bit and want to get rid of them. I’ll suggest they rub catnip or mint leaves on their skin and find a mosquito misting service in Dallas, TX soon.
I did not know that you could use peppermint to keep insects away. My mom told me that she is tired of getting mosquitoes bites. I will share this article with her and also, I will help her contact a pest control company to properly get rid of them.
This is a very helpful article. Thanks for sharing your tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes.
I grow lavender on the outer part of every exit door. It doesn’t last long as a deterrent, but it’s an easy thing to rub it on my skin as I walk past it, going outdoors.