WE all love the summer months for the hot weather, and pesky bugs love it too.
Plenty of critters come out in the summer, and while most of them are harmless, they are annoying to deal with, especially when you’re trying to relax in the garden.
Experts share the easy way to get rid of mosquitoes[/caption]
Thankfully, a pest control expert has revealed a simple way to keep mosquitoes away and stop you from getting bitten.
Mosquitoes tend to come out when the weather is hot but damp and with rain warnings coming next week, we may see an increase in the dreaded pests.
While most mosquitoes in the UK are not life-threatening, they do leave annoying, red, itchy lumps on the skin.
Of course, it’s not that serious, but most of us would rather not suffer from their bites this summer.
And now there’s an easy way to keep them away from your sun lounger and it costs just 50p.
Instead of buying a mosquito trap pre-made at the store which is full of nasty chemicals, you can make it at home.
The Martha Stewart website reveals you need just a few kitchen cupboard essentials to get it started.
To DIY the trap, you will need an empty water bottle, white sugar, yeast, water and a black cloth or napkin.
Start by cutting the bottle just below the neck (keep both parts) and then mix together sugar, yeast and water.
You’ll want 4 tablespoons of sugar, 1/3 teaspoon of yeast and 1 cup of warm water.
Take the small top of the bottle that you cut off and place it upside down onto the rest of the bottle (you want it to create a funnel shape to get the mosquitoes to come in.)
Tie the top of the bottle on with tape to make sure there are no gaps.
Wrap the bottle in something black (leaving the top uncovered for mosquitoes to fly in) so that both the inside and outside are dark.
Making a combination of sugar, yeast, and water is an effective way to trap mosquitoes on and around your property.
“After a few hours, the yeast starts releasing a steady stream of carbon dioxide, which mosquitoes are highly attracted to,” says Timothy Wong, technical director of MMPC, a pest control company.
The hack is super cheap to make as well, considering you only need a small amount of each item it will cost less than 50p.
Other pest control experts have shared that essential oils can keep them at bay, too.
Cinnamon and lavender are scents the pests especially hate.
“These essential oils are found to be a mask for the odours that female mosquitoes are attuned to when searching for a blood meal,” Shannon told Martha Stewart.
“Sweat, body odor, CO2, and sometimes even your blood type can emit smells that attract these bloodsuckers.”
Keep pests out all summer
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here’s what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
