It seems like anytime you step outside nowadays, you are swarmed by mosquitoes. These pesky buggers cause itchy, raised bites and even worse – they may carry diseases. Through diseases, mosquitoes kill more people than any other animal with over 700,000 deaths each year. Mosquitoes typically feed during dawn or dusk but may bite during the daytime if disturbed. Here are some tips and tricks to repel mosquitoes and deal with bites:

1. Many plants are natural mosquito repellents. Plant these around your house to create a natural barrier.

- Lemon Grass

- Bee Balm

- Marigolds

- Ageratum

- Catnip

- Lavender

- Rosemary

- Basil
- Scented Geraniums

- Lemon Balm

- Peppermint

- Pennyroyal

2. Homemade mosquito repellents are a great way to rid you, your family, and your pets of pests.

- Essential oil mixes

• 5 drops of lemon essential oil

•10 drops of basil essential oil

• 20 drops of citronella essential oil 

• 2 cups of water

• 5 drops of lemon essential oil

•10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

• 20 drops of citronella essential oil 

• 2 cups of water

Peppermint Lavender:

• 20 drops of lemon grass essential oil

• 5 drops of lavender essential oil   

• 5 drops of peppermint essential oil

• 20 drops of citronella oil

• 2 cups of water

Vanilla Lavender:

• 20 drops of lavender essential oil

• 20 drops of vanilla essential oil

• 10 drops  of lemon essential oil

• 2 cups of water

Rosemary Lemon:
• 20 drops of rosemary essential oil

• 10 drops of lemon essential oil

• 2 cups of water 

- Natural, non-poisonous, yard healthy

Mix equal parts of blue mouthwash, Epsom salt, and stale beer.

Mix until the salt dissolves and pour into a spray bottle.

Spray around your lawn.

- Skin and baby safe
Add equal parts of vinegar and clear Mexican vanilla extract to a bowl and mix.

Fold paper towels  into small squares, then soak the squares in the mixture.

Rub the paper towels along your skin and repeat every 2-4 hours.

3. Other tips and tricks that may be useful:

- Place a dryer sheet in your back pocket. The scent will release around you and repel mosquitoes.

- If you are hosting a bonfire, throw rosemary into it. 

- Go out and look for any standing water at your home. This is where mosquitoes like to lay eggs.

There are tablets that you can buy and place in the water to prevent any eggs hatching.

- Burn coffee grounds

- Putting baby oil on your skin can help drive mosquitoes away

4. Relief for mosquito bites:

- Clean the area with rubbing alcohol immediately 

- Apply honey to the bite

- Take an oatmeal bath

- Apply a cold tea bag to the bite

- Use Aloe Vera

- Rub on a mild corticosteroid cream

- Dab on lemon juice

- Dab on apple cider vinegar

- Apply Witch Hazel to the bite

- Warm a spoon under hot water and place on top of the bite