It’s that time of the year where the warm nights become irresistible and you look for any excuse to spend them on your patio.
There’s just one problem – mosquitoes! Of course, store-bought candles, repellents, and even a light mosquito net will work, but why not try and save some money by making your own?
You can turn aromatic herbs such as rosemary into fragrant DIY mosquito repellents in just a few minutes.
Let’s see how it’s done!
Make Your Own DIY Mosquito Repellent
Fragrant herbs are excellent pest repellents, but you have to release their essential oils to make them more aromatic and work even better.
One way to do it is by slowly burning them with a Sterno can – jellied alcohol that’s meant to be burned in the can and is perfect for fondue, picnics, and buffets.
It may seem like a new trick, but many cultures have been burning herbs for centuries, mainly for religious purposes. Sometime between then and now, we discovered that burned aromatic herbs will keep pesky mosquitoes and flies away.
Here’s how to do it!
Use Any Herbs You Have
Take a large heat-proof bowl and place a Sterno can inside. Light up the Sterno and place a bundle of aromatic herbs in the bowl.
When it comes to the variety, you don’t have to be very picky. Choose whatever aromatics you have, whether it’s rosemary, oregano, lavender, thyme, mint, sage, or lemon balm, etc.
You can even use dried store-bought herbs if you don’t have anything growing in your garden.
The mild smoke and soft aroma will chase all the bugs away from your outdoor dining area without any harsh chemicals. And they will perfume your outdoors, appealing to your senses.
I hope this trick helps!