Going natural: how to ward off pesky mosquitoes without chemicals

WINNIPEG — Mosquito trap counts around the city are starting to soar and Winnipeggers are looking to keep the pesky bugs at bay this summer.

While the city is using malathion to ward of skeeters again this summer, there are other ways homeowners can go.

READ MORE: Victoria’s Secret perfume is an effective mosquito repellent, study suggests

The first place to start is your yard.

Mosquito.Buzz is a new franchise in the city that offers two different options: one chemical and one all natural.

The natural compound is made out of a strong garlic base that is specifically grown for this use.

“Mosquitoes are territorial,” said Brent Kapusta, president of Mosquito.Buzz Winnipeg. “They don’t like the smell of garlic. So when we spray it in their hiding places they don’t like going there.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Mosquitoes are territorial," said Brent Kapusta, president of Mosquito.Buzz Winnipeg. "They don't like the smell of garlic. So when we spray it in their hiding places they don't like going there."

READ MORE: The life cycle of a mosquito: infographic

Kapusta said the garlic doesn’t provide much of a “knock down”, but rather a barrier for the bugs.

But it is slightly more expensive. It will cost you about 15-20 per cent more than the man made products.

Mosquito trends in Winnipeg since 1989

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He recommends getting that product sprayed once or twice before large outdoor events to help make staying outside more enjoyable and keep the mosquitoes away.

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READ MORE: High mosquito counts trigger fogging in Winnipeg

“Mother nature dictates how long the effectiveness lasts. The more rain you get the less the length of effectiveness,” said Kapusta.

There are also certain herbs and plants that are known to keep mosquitoes away.

“Most herbs are really good at repelling mosquitoes which you’d neever think that something you can eat and smells really good and attracts you is going to turn off a bug,” said greenhouse manager Maryann Sumka. “Anything that is really strong smelling is going to repel mosquitos… anything in the lemon family.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Most herbs are really good at repelling mosquitoes which you'd neever think that something you can eat and smells really good and attracts you is going to turn off a bug," said greenhouse manager Maryann Sumka. "Anything that is really strong smelling is going to repel mosquitos… anything in the lemon family."

Sumka Brothers Greenhouses helps customers make potted plants filled with floral repellents.

WATCH: An infographic detailing the life cycle of a mosquito

0:30 The life cycle of a mosquito

“Lemongrass is really, really good at repelling mosquitos,” said Sumka. “Thyme, basil, marigolds. Marigolds are really great for repelling most insects.”

Sumka recommends giving the plants a good brush or  working the leaves to get the scent and natural oils out.

“You want to brush up the leaves, get the scent going, get the oils activated and that’s good up to about a 10 ft radius,” she said.

Many of those same plants  that repel mosquitoes can also be very effective in oil form.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved eucalyptus oil as an effective mosquito repellent. A recent study showed that a mixture of 32 percent lemon eucalyptus oil gave more than 95 percent protection against mosquitoes for three hours.