Mom and son use mosquito spray.Spraying insect repellent on skin outdoor.

Summer is a time for frolic, fun, and feasting. Unfortunately, it is also the time of year when mosquitoes feel the same way and we humans are the buffet. In an effort to assist you with being victorious in this battle of carnage, I have accumulated these tips over the past month living in a neighbor’s hunting cabin while my home is being built in the neighboring cow pasture property; that I acquired last year for this purpose. It has been a never before seen here wet summer that has created millions of mosquitoes the size of bats; I’m bug kibble! So, I have tried anything and everything recommended by friends, family, and locals including a few I made up out of desperation. Here’s what I have found to at least partially work.

Some of these may sound a little far-fetched. But I assure you that I have indeed tried each of the tips listed below for myself at least twice before deciding if it works or not. So, here we GO!

  • Cholula Sauce – This happened to be the hot sauce I had on hand when I came up with this brilliant mosquito repellant idea out of complete desperation, so I can only assume that any hot sauce containing hot chili peppers will have the same effect. Here’s how it works. Mosquitoes do not like chili peppers. So, by dabbing a little on all exposed skin areas (like perfume de chili), you deter all but the most relentless mosquitoes from coming anywhere near your skin. They will still land on clothing, so make sure to wear thick enough clothes that mosquitoes cannot bite through. These other tips work along the same principle to make the area unpleasant for the bugs.
  • Original Listerine/H2O Spritz- The menthol ingredient in the Original Listerine formula is aggressively strong making mosquitoes dislike being anywhere near the stuff. Pour a cap full of Original Listerine into a spray bottle of water. Screwcap on and shake the bottle vigorously to mix the to liquids. Then, using the spray bottle spray the area that you will be spending time in. Make sure to spray cloth seating, umbrellas, and other outdoor fabrics that may adorn the area in order to extend the effectiveness. I tested this on a 5 x 5 front porch with no overhang or barriers in a very windy area, and it worked successfully for about 20 to 30 minutes. However, when sitting in the fabric camping chair I was sitting in, the Mosquitoes basically left me alone except for the occasional fly by.
  • Vinegar – This is one I forgot about from my childhood, that was recommended to me by a friend. My friend recommended rubbing apple cider vinegar all over your exposed skin. My grandmother used white vinegar as well. I do remember smelling like a salad, but having much fewer issues with mosquitoes. Playing double duty, this remedy is also an effective treatment for sunburn. I recommend from extreme experience with sunburn and apple cider vinegar to try this the next time you stay out in the sun too long.
  • Plant Peppermint – Peppermint is repugnant to mosquitoes and pleasant to the human senses. It promotes concentration, relaxation, and a general sense of well-being. What a great bonus that this plant repels mosquitoes. These benefits of having a peppermint plant make it the perfect landscaping for the perimeter of your home, especially those areas where water or doors and windows are located.

Now that you know how to effectively combat mosquitoes, head over to your storage unit, grab that camping gear that you have been neglecting and get back to nature. And for those of you looking for a storage unit to store all that summer gear when fall approaches give Browning Park Mini Storage a call. You will find the perfect size and price to fit all your storage needs.