Mosquitoes can make an appearance any time between April and October, and while we love reading in the sun or enjoying a drink outside on a long summer night, it's easy for these pesky creatures to cause a nuisance.
If you seem to be irresistible to mosquitoes, don't worry! We've got tips from the experts for keeping them at bay — without the need for chemical sprays.
Get rid of standing water
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. This provides the perfect nursery for their young to hatch, pupate and emerge as adults. It’s the adult females that get us, leaving behind their calling-card itchy bites.
To reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites close to your house, Dee Ward-Thompson, Head of Technical at British Pest Control Association (BPCA), advises checking for, and draining, as much standing water as possible. "This means keeping gutters clear so that rainwater doesn’t collect in them," she said.
Uncovered water butts are another attractive egg-laying location, so it’s a good idea to prioritise using the water that’s collected inside it over the hosepipe to water the garden. This helps ensure the water butt is regularly drained, to be replenished next time it rains. Covering water butts will also help.
Drain paddling pools frequently
At this time of year, paddling pools and children’s water play tables are a regular sight on lawns across the UK. The water in these can attract mosquitoes if it’s not regularly changed.
It takes between six to ten days for a young mosquito to hatch from its egg and mature into an adult. Changing the water in these every five or so days should help.
Change bedding and nightwear regularly
We now know that the reason mosquitoes are so adept at hunting us down is because they can detect the carbon dioxide we exhale. They then follow this trail of C02 back to its source – us.
Scientists at the University of California have found that mosquitoes are also drawn to our skin odour, which could explain their incredible success rate tracking down the tiniest area of uncovered ankle or arm. It might also go some way to understanding why they seem to be prey upon some of us more than others, perhaps preferring the skin scent of one individual over another.
A shower before bedtime could help, as will regularly changing bedding and nightwear.
Stay cool in heatwave - summer duvets
Simba Summer Hybrid Duvet
Pros
- Lightweight filling made with recycled bottles
- Simple to wash at 40C
Cons
- Pricey
Score: 98/100
Hardly dropping any marks on test, our panellists had nothing bad to say about this summer duvet. It’s 4.5 tog, has a temperature regulating cover and kept our testers cool without any sweating.
George Home 4.5 Tog Duvet
Pros
- Quick drying, taking only an hour
- Contains recycled fibres
Cons
- Challenging to fold away for storage as its plastic packaging can’t be easily reused
Score: 91/100
This budget buy proved itself as a triple threat in testing; it was light, cool, and comfortable. There was minimal shrinkage in our wash tests too.
Slumberdown Summer Nights 4.5 Tog Duvet
Pros
- Lightweight
- Washing machine and tumble-dryer friendly
Cons
- Less premium than others
Score: 90/100
Our panel rated this 4.5 tog duvet highly for keeping them cool, calm and collected overnight. Its soft, comfortable and lightweight design makes it perfect for a heatwave.
Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Duvet - Light
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and approved by Allergy UK
- Felt high quality
Cons
- Wool has a distinct smell, but this dissipated quickly
Score: 88/100
If you prefer natural fibres, wool is a great option. It’s naturally temperature regulating and moisture-wicking, and this duvet kept our panel cool throughout the night. It’s washable too, making it easy to freshen up.
The Fine Bedding Company Silver Hungarian Goose Down Duvet
Pros
- Premium and luxurious down filling
- Cotton outer cover is soft to the touch
Cons
- Doesn’t fare well in the washing machine, shrinking during our tests
Score: 83/100
Indulgent and soft, this 4.5 tog duvet was a hit with our panellists – the majority said they’d recommend it to friends and family. The down is all ethically sourced and the duvet comes with a 10-year guarantee.
Fill your garden with garlic and herbs
Their bites may not be quite as bad as a vampires, but mozzies also hate garlic! The same goes for fragrant herbs, such as mint and rosemary. Simply keeping a couple of each on your kitchen windowsill, in your garden or bedroom could go a long way.
Cut down on beer (sorry!)
Sitting in a pub garden with a pint is a classic British tradition when the sun's out. But we regret to inform you that if you want to deter mosquitoes, you may want to cut down on beer — and alcohol in general — as studies have shown that it can attract mozzies.
Turn on your fan
Mosquitoes are weak flyers, so you can blast the blighters away simply by turning on your fan. The fan's speed paired with the fact it disperses carbon dioxide and body odour (both of which flag where you are to mozzies) will help deter them.
Banish flowery fragrances
Mozzies are particularly attracted to saccharine-sweet, floral scents. So, if you don't want to abstain from wearing perfumes altogether, at least go for something with citrus or woody tones to put them off.
Keep the citronella for now
Our scientist friends across the pond are researching the reason why some aromas seem to turn mosquitoes off. The theory is that certain naturally-occurring, naturally-scented chemicals, such as citronella, stop mosquitoes being able to detect our natural human skin scent.
Garden decor ideas to set the scene this summer
This seagrass basket is a staple that will never go out of style. Once placed outside, store blankets in it for those chillier nights. Just make sure to routinely move it indoors to avoid it being rained on.
These candles have a beautiful and intricate design. What's more, the citronella scent will create a relaxing scent in your outdoor space and also act as an insect repellant.
Vicor Fabric Bunting Banner
Bunting is a cheap and cheerful way to brighten up any garden. Put it up along fences or intertwine with fairy lights for a fun and colourful look.
This lantern is just stunning. It will add warmth and ambience to your space, while being effortlessly chic. The neutral colour means it will match any garden design scheme.
John Lewis Willow Ivyline Woven Rattan Outdoor Basket Planters, Set of 2
These rattan planters come in a set of two and look effortlessly chic. Their material makes them weather-resistant so that whatever you're planting can look great all year round.
This outdoor light provides a twist on much-loved fairy lights by being worked into an intricate, dandelion design. Our advice? Buy two or three and place in the areas of your garden that get the least natural light.
Place this runner rug under garden furniture to add a pop of colour. Available in grey, mustard and teal, you're sure to find the right option to make your outside space more vibrant.
You can never go wrong with Wedgewood pieces; they will look timeless and classic in any space. We love this clean, textured grey design which is perfect for your plants.
This tasseled throw will look great in any outside space. Keep it on the back of garden chairs or in a storage basket so that you can easily access it on chillier evenings. You'll keep warm and look stylish wrapped up in this.
Who said doormats can't be fun? This funky design invokes the landscape of sunny Italy, perfect for sitting outside with a glass of wine and dreaming of your next holiday.
This hanging planter will add a touch of sparkle to any outside area. It's ideal for a patio or smaller garden as it doesn't take up any floor space.
You're guaranteed a starry night with these pretty lights! Solar-powered and featuring 17 metres of light-up stars, these can be draped over fences and furniture to add some extra sparkle.
Artificial plants are a great way to add some greenery and nature to a patio space or a smaller garden. This design features a premium topiary tree look, captured in a wicker basket.
No garden table is complete without a tablecloth. We love this premium linen option - ochre is such an on-trend colour choice at the moment. It's also available in white, grey and navy.
This wind chime is powered by solar energy and features colour changing LED lights. While it will look great in any garden, it's especially good for smaller spaces as you can hang it up anywhere.
