5 Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitos At Bay This Summer

Well, summer is in full swing, and many families are spending a lot more time outdoors. But, along with outdoor activities come pesky mosquitos. They seem to think I am an all-you-can-eat buffet, and I always end up covered in nasty, itchy bites.

While mosquito bites are annoying and uncomfortable, they can also be deadly. In fact, mosquitos are the NUMBER ONE KILLER of man. Yes, I am totally serious. With diseases like Malaria, West Nile, and Yellow Fever, a simple mosquito bite can have some very serious and even fatal results. Did you know that in 2012 there were 207,000,000 cases of Malaria, 627,000 of which were fatal? Pretty scary, right? To learn more about the deadly truth about mosquitos, click here. 

If you'd like to avoid mosquitos without sacrificing outdoor time with your family, here are a few simple, natural ways to help keep these buzzing pests at bay:

1. Lavender Oil. Add 20-30 drops of this essential oil to olive oil and use it as a body oil. Mosquitos HATE the smell, so they will pass you by when looking for their feast. Plus, you'll have really soft skin and smell amazing. It's a win-win situation! 
2. Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants. Mosquitos really don't like things like Catnip, Citronella, Lavender, and Feverfew. If your yard is rich with these plants, chances are, mosquitos will be few and far-between. 
3. Remove Standing Water. Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing water, and it doesn't take much. Be sure to empty bird-baths, pet bowls, and even in puddles. If you take the time to eliminate these standing water sources, your yard will attract far fewer mosquitos. 
4. Eat Garlic! Yes, garlic is a wonderful mosquito-repellant! They don't like the scent, so be sure to have an extra slice of that crusty garlic bread. It will not only fill your belly, it will also help keep you bite-free this summer!
5. Apply Neem Oil. Neem oil comes from the Neem tree, which is found in India. It is often called the "Tree of Life". Neem can be used on plants to keep insects away, but it is also completely safe to apply to the skin. I have used this many times, and it seriously reduces the number of mosquitos that hover around me. 

How do YOU keep mosquitos at bay in the summer? Do you have any tips I didn't mention? I'd love to hear them!