6 Thrifty ways to FIGHT THE BITE ~ Don’t Get Bitten By Mosquitoes

6 Thrifty ways to FIGHT THE BITE ~ Don’t Get Bitten By Mosquitoes

Here in south Louisiana, there are few things that BUG us more than mosquitoes. We deal with them year-round, yes we even have them in January! I have compiled a list of easy, homemade ways to repel and treat mosquitoes.

Wear light color clothing ~ Mosquitoes prefer darker colors. Long pants and long sleeves are not as uncomfortable as you may think in the middle of the summer.

Catnip ~ Use catnip! Catnip is an herb that is easy to grow in a small garden or your window sill.  The American Chemical Society has reported that researchers  found nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip (Nepeta cataria), to be about 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.   They only take a couple of weeks to grow and VOILA!  You can even grow them around the outside of your house to help keep the mosquito population at bay.

Lavender ~  We use a mixture with lavender oil in it to help keep the mosquitoes at bay around our house.  If you have a bit of a green thumb, you can even plant it in your garden or flower bed to help keep these pesky bugs at bay.  Lavender is beautiful, easy to grow and spreads quickly.

Citronella plant ~  These are also called “mosquito plants”.  You can find them just about anywhere that sells plants.  They are very fragrant and grow easily in any garden or flower bed.

Aloe Vera ~ This is another super easy and cheap way to fight the bite! These wonder plants grow quickly and help soothe the itching from mosquito bites.  You can get the plants for less than $5 right here in Acadiana.  You can even buy the gel if you don’t want to bother with the plant.  I would strongly urge you to buy the plant because they are a lot more fun to grow!

Apple cider vinegar ~ Apple cider vinegar applied right away is a great way to counteract the histamine reaction in your skin and keep the swelling to a minimum.

Garlic ~ You may think “peeeeeew” when you think about rubbing garlic on your skin, but this natural herb is great at keeping the mosquitoes away and even take the itch away if you’ve already been bitten! Making a paste in the blender is the best way to use this super-herb!

Toothpaste ~ Yes, toothpaste!  Toothpaste contains peppermint oil which contains menthol which is a local anesthetic.  Menthol is also water soluble which means it will work its way into the skin quickly!

** Do not use any of the natural herbs listed here if you have an allergy to them. You can check by applying a small amount to a small area of your skin and waiting 24 hours to see if you have a reaction.