Photography by Steven Randazzo for Country Living
found via Pinterest
With the weather over here in Perth starting to heat up (we have 37°C forecast for tomorrow), here in our little household we’re eager to spend more evenings playing in the backyard and eating dinner outdoors. There’s just one problem. Mosquitoes. If there’s one around, you can be sure Grace or I will be bitten alive. Grace’s bites often turn into lumps and I have to end up giving her an antihistamine.
I don’t want to spend the next six months indoors once dusk comes so I’m searching for a solution to keep the mozzies away. I find the green mosquito coils we place around at barbecues quite effective and the tropical strength insect repellent is fairly good too but I’d like to find something that is a bit more natural to use on a more regular basis. I already use citronella candles but I was keen to see if there were any more natural solutions that exist.
In one of my Shannon Lush books, she recommends using lavender oil as an insect repellent. Her suggestion is to wipe doors with it or to make a spray of 500ml of water and 2.5ml of lavender oil to spritz over yourself and your clothes. Another of her ideas is to place a lavender or pelagonium plant near your doors to keep mosquitoes at bay (apparently there’s a pink-flowering geranium colloquially called the mosquito plant because of its repellent properties).
What have you found works best against those nasty mozzies? Has anyone tried the lavender oil suggestion?
The kiddos and I are just like you and Grace -- we get eaten alive and come up in welts. Boo.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these suggestions, lavender here we come!
I would love to find a mosquito solution too Amanda. The mozzies haven't really arrived here yet, but when they do I'll be trying lavender oil. Apparently it relieves the bite too if you apply just a dab. gxo
ReplyDeleteGeorgie - didn't know you could dab lavendar oil on the actual bites too so thanks for that tip! I remember my Nanna used to put a paste made from bicarb soda and water on our bites when we were little too :)
ReplyDeleteHi amanda, i find the best thing is actually one of those horrible zapper things. My husband also uses one of those sprayers - they are natural and we have it down by the pool and bar - they release a spray every minute or so, they are quite effective. the spray can be refilled also...
ReplyDeleteLove your pics of the girls! such a special time!! I had so much milk when breastfeeding too; if you like, email me on lauracurrie@yahoo.co.uk i can tell you how i settled it down (a little!)
Laura xxx
I wiped all the window sills with lavender oil yesterday... I am over the flies gathering there. Will let you know how things go! x
ReplyDeleteWe have a citronella plant - pink flowers. Its a great plant - grows like a weed really! Its very tough and grows so easily from cuttings. Bunnings or a good garden centre will have them. They dont eradicate all the mossies but they do smell beautiful on a warm night when you brush against them or give them a quick blast with the hose.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try the lavendar oil idea as well. I don't tend to get bitten but the kids do and their welts all join up and look so sore!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda. i've tried direct application of lavender oil on skin. works ok. I was given another strange remedy yesterday. You get a bottle of listerine mouthwash and spray under the chairs and around the place, i haven't tried it but apparently it works. the best remedy we have come up with and we swear by it, is the Moretein Mossie lanterns. they have a candle which when lit, heats a little vapour pad that you insert and over here in Qld we have found it to work amazingly well. we've even taken it away with us to places where we think there might be mossie! Just make sure you light it about 10-15 mins beforehand and put it where you want it before you actually go and sit outside so it has time to clear the space for you. each candle lasts about 4 hours and you just be refill sets of candles and pads. and there is no strong odour either. Good luck! Jane x
ReplyDeleteps. No, I dont work for moretein! it's just a really good product.
Oh see my family need not worry as I AM the one mosquitoes seek out to bite, they all play happily while i slap myself silly. I have used citronella but find it makes everything i eat, drink & breathe tast like lemon, but fake lemon, eeww (love real lemon). Love Posie
ReplyDeleteJane - mouthwash is a different one! :) Will have to have a look for those lanterns you described - thanks x
ReplyDeleteIM hearing you ! From 4.45pm first the midges come & we are already bitten before we know it. Then at 5.30pm comes the mozzies & they love me & the kids (hubby is always spared). We have to have the vegie garden watered & our afternoon swim done & over before then. Google MozzieXit its an electric mosquito trap (which is different from a zapper) My husband sold it at his Hardware store & people came back & said how well it worked. We had it out last summer to eat outdoors & it worked much better for us then citronella products. I have used the Mortein lanterns before but I had to put them under the table so they didnt bite my legs. I think it depends on how large the area is you are trying to cover & how many nasty mosquitos there are.
ReplyDeleteI will defiantly be trying the lavender oil spray on the doors etc. Ever since we put in the french & bi fold doors with no screens we have to lock ourselves inside at night.
Karyn x
We have a son who is allergic to mossie bites so finding a natural solution that allows us to spend more time outdoors as a family is just what we need. Will try a few of the ideas posted here.
ReplyDeletex
A friend gave me some sandalwood incense sticks at the end of last summer. I haven't tried them yet but I hear they work well.
ReplyDeleteWe usually head back indoors when dusk comes and the mosquitoes come in because my hubby always gets bitten. I like the idea of something natural and lavender sounds like a sweet smelling solution. I might give that a try. xo
ReplyDeleteOh, that lavender mix sounds like a great idea! We struggle with the old mosquito here a lot and like you I prefer natural where possible. We use to try the candles but they proved dangerous around my son who is a bit of a handful. Thanks for sharing this tip. X
ReplyDeleteIf one day I buy my own condo, will gonna put an outdoor dining too like yours. :)
ReplyDeletenew houses for sale