Homemade mosquito repellent: consider it your first line of defense to keep bugs at bay this summer. And since there are no chemicals, it’s a smarter way to enjoy the outdoors with your family. Here’s how to mosquito-proof your DFW property the all-natural way.

Layer on the Lemon

Mosquitoes can’t stand the scent of lemon, so spray it all around your yard. Mix equal parts of lemon dish soap, lemon ammonia, and lemon juice, and pour into a 20-gallon sprayer. Every two weeks or so, mist the mixture over your entire yard for an effective homemade mosquito repellent. Speaking of lemons . . .

Grow Lemongrass

Lemongrass has long been touted as a natural mosquito repellent, so put it to good use. Place pots of lemongrass on your front porch or around the deck in your backyard. You could even incorporate lemongrass directly into your garden. Here are some helpful tips for planting and growing this tropical herb.

DIY Citronella Candles

Don’t be fooled into thinking those store-bought citronella candles are getting the job done; many contain an artificial citronella scent. To keep the mosquitoes away, you should make your own candles using essential oils. Round up some Mason jars and click to this how-to guide to get going.

Make Your Own Repellent

The stars at night are indeed big and bright in Texas — but don’t let mosquitoes keep you from enjoying them. With a few simple ingredients, you can make your own homemade mosquito repellent. One that smells particularly nice is a mixture of lavender essential oil, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and distilled water. Put 15 or so drops of the essential oil along with a few tablespoons of vanilla extract, a quarter cup of lemon juice, and a splash of distilled water in a spray bottle. Spritz onto skin or clothing to guard against pesky mosquitoes.

Tap Into Your Garden

A handy mosquito repellent might be growing right under your nose. Do you have fresh lavender, sage, or mint in your garden? If you do, gather the herbs and tie them tightly together with string. (Just make sure they’re dry so they don’t get moldy.) You can display the bunches decoratively in a basket or toss them into the fire at your next cookout to help keep mosquitoes away.

When you live in Texas, you know that warm weather means mosquito season is here. As we get into the summer months, try the ideas above to mosquito-proof your yard.

[cf]skyword_tracking_tag[/cf]