amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

tinyterror'sma · 05-13-2004, 10:07 PM

The gnats and mosquitoes are so bad in our yard that we can barely play. Are there any safe/natural alternatives to fogging the yard or spraying the trees?

I've tried a bat house and we're against woods with no open water or field so we didn't attract any bats.

TIA

Natalie

BunnyMcFluff · 05-13-2004, 11:06 PM

chickens? and you'd have eggs, too!

mikifrogspapa · 05-14-2004, 12:35 AM

I know it's gross, but taking the dead offending bug or bugs and drying them, grinding them and boiling and then straining them is supposed to be effective for lots of garden pests (not all), maybe it'd work for mosquitoes & gnats too. If you're not too squeamish, or morally against it. (morally, 'that a word?)

I've not tried it, but it's the second time I've suggested it. I can't kill anything intentionally, but if there were a way to collect already vacated bug bodies, I'd have no problem using them. I'd probably throw the boiling pot out afterwards though. LOL!!!

copmom · 05-14-2004, 11:40 AM

A relative gave us a recipe for backyard bugs that was something like a cup of lemon dishwashing liquid and a cup of mint mouthwash mixed together in a hose-end sprayer and sprayed on the grass. It's safe and it works. Also, the soap is good for the lawn- breaks down surface tension and allows water to soak in easier.

lakshmi_mama · 05-14-2004, 12:56 PM

Catnip! Plant it everywhere!

Your cats will love you and the mosquitos will stay away!

EO of catnip is a very powerful replellant that you can blend with lotion for a topical.

BlueRoseMama · 05-15-2004, 03:48 PM

Rosemary... marigolds... catnip/catmint... peniroyal... and mints are all good natural repellents, as are many that smell like citrus (lemon verbena, lemonbalm, etc). I have all of them somewhere in my yard... although down in the shade where the mosquitos are they all died.

Love Val