The fall is finally upon us, the kids are heading back to school but mosquito season is far from over. Not only are these pesty bugs an annoyance to us humans, but they also cause trouble for your pup. Regardless of how thick your dog's fur is, they still get mosquito bites leaving your dog itchy and scratching like they have fleas.
Protecting yourself and your pets from mosquitoes is not always easy. Unlike those human-only households, those of us with pets have an extra consideration when it comes to choosing a yard spray. Using traditional chemical sprays and deterrents can wreak havoc on your dog's system and inadvertently poison them, especially if you have a grass eater.
Choosing a nontoxic, natural mosquito repellent takes a little bit of planning but there are some really easy tips to keep these buzzing, biting bugs away in a natural, safe way.
Plants Mosquitoes Hate
One simple way to keep bugs away is to plant things they hate. Plant these strong scented plants throughout your garden and along the perimeter of your deck and yard.
Peppermint
Lavender
Citronella
Marigolds
Lemongrass
Rosemary
Homemade Yard Sprays
Concocting your own DIY yard spray is the easiest way to make sure the spray is pet safe and nontoxic. Follow these simple, tested recipes for a mosquito-free yard.
Paul Harvey Spray:
3 Bottles stale and cheap beer
3 c. Epsom salts
16 oz blue mint mouthwash (any kind)
Mix beer and mouthwash, add in salts and stir until dissolved. Transfer to spray bottle and spray.
Onion Spray
1 Onion chopped
1 Gallon water
Mix chopped onion and water, cover and let sit in warm place for 3-5 days. Transfer to spray bottle and spray.
Lemon & Lavender Spray
1/4 c. Squeezed lemon juice
4 tbsp. Vanilla extract
20 Drops Lavender essential oils
Water to fill up the rest of spray bottle
Optional: 20 drops Citronella essential oils
Mix all together thoroughly, transfer to spray bottle and spray.
Yard Maintenance
Deter mosquitoes by removing their homes. Keep grass cut short and remove any free-standing, stagnant water to eliminate breeding grounds.
With a few simple tools your yard can be both mosquito free and pet safe. If you try these sprays let us know how they work for you and feel free to share any other natural mosquito repellent ideas!