Our bodies and our sanity are under attack following recent rains. Slap as we may, it’s hard to beat the mosquitos. There are lots of companies ready to step in (for a hefty price) with expensive applications of “mosquito spray.” Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a specialized chemical application for mosquitos; the spray kills fireflies, butterflies, native bees, honeybees–all kinds of insects that we like to see and need to have in our environment. Pesticide sprays are also bad for human health, especially children’s health. As Doug Tallamy, the preeminent American entomologist, explains in this short video, they don’t even control mosquitos.

Toxic Free NC has more suggestions for effective and safe methods of mosquito control:

• Use a natural repellent rather than DEET, and apply repellents to kids’ clothes rather than directly on skin.
• Products with oil of lemon eucalyptus can be as effective as DEET; however, essential oils carry risks for allergies and asthma and should always be used with care.
• Wear long-sleeved loose clothing.
• If possible, sit near a large fan when you are outdoors!
• If you have a backyard, add mosquito-repellant plants or encourage natural predators by installing bat boxes.
• Add dragonfly larva or gambusia fish to nearby water to snack on mosquito larva.
• Store-bought mosquito dunks with Bti bacteria are another effective control measure.
• Most importantly: eliminate breeding grounds by regularly checking (and dumping) standing water. Gutters, tires, tarps, drains, and birdbaths are all welcoming environments for mosquitoes.
• Spread the word in your community! Here’s a flyer created by Alan Waibel, concerned neighbor from Carrboro, NC.