How To Keep Your Summer Mosquito {bite} Free

School is out, the sun is out, heat is out, and with that…so are the mosquitos. We have tried many products over the years and this summer we have developed quite the arsenal that seems to be working when battling the backyard mosquitos.

Wondercide Outdoor Pest Control

From their website: “Enjoy a bug-free yard with proven-to-work mosquito, flea, and tick repellent sprays that work on hundreds of bugs. Safe around kids, pets, bees, and butterflies”. We have started using this product and have had HUGE success. We apply every two weeks, (but only after we mow the lawn). We were first attracted to the product because of the safety and the reviews. Their main mission is the treat nature with nature, and the slogan says “Mom Made, Mom Approved” and they are a Texas company! Ingredients are entirely plant based, and include essential oils. 

We use this sprayer to apply the spray in around the yard.

Here’s My real-life testimonial. We have used this for several weeks now and I haven’t even noticed mosquitos. I didn’t even realize it was mosquito season yet until we went to the park and we got eaten alive! I couldn’t believe that we could be in our yard with NO mosquitos even though the city was being carried away one bird-sized mosquito at a time.

Thermacell

We use this Thermacel lantern or one like it when we are sitting out on the back patio. From the website: “Fuel-Powered Thermacell Mosquito Repellent devices repel mosquitoes by creating a 15-foot mosquito protection zone. Heat disperses the repellent from the mat into the air, creating a zone of protection. … This repellent, allethrin, is a synthetic copy of a natural repellent found in chrysanthemum plants.” Although Thermacell is DEET free I still would not recommend putting it right next to your food, right next to your pets or right next to your face. It’s more for like a large area OUTSIDE. The lanterns use cartridges “The devices are powered by a small fuel cartridge that provides the cordless, portable heat that is directed to a metal grill. A small mat saturated with repellent is inserted on top of the metal grill. Heat disperses the repellent from the mat into the air, creating the zone of protection.”

We’ve taken ours to the pool, to the backyard, to the park, and set it near us. It does put out a little heat but hardly noticeable. The cartridges last about 12 hours of burning time. I love having these especially when I have small kiddos on the patio and I don’t want to keep lathering mosquito spray on them. It protects the entire area.

Natural Insect Repellent

I can not speak highly enough of our experience using this natural insect repellent. From the Melaleuca Wellness company. You do have to order it from Melaleuca, but it is 100% worth it. The ingredients are all-natural and I have felt comfortable using them on my kids at all ages and stages. The ingredients include 5 essential oils, it’s DEET-free, has a yummy smell, and doesn’t sting your skin.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard

This product was a game-changer here in South Texas where we need mosquito protection even when swimming, or playing in the water. This mosquito repellent is also a  lotion and has SPF protection. When we are swimming and the mosquitos are out this is my go-to product.

Good luck this summer mamas! Stay Safe and bug bite-free!

 

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