Midges can quickly turn a peaceful night outdoors into a nightmare of itching and discomfort. These tiny insects are attracted to lights and can swarm around outdoor gatherings, making it difficult to enjoy the evening. Fortunately, there are natural ways to repel midges and keep them at bay, allowing you to relax and enjoy the outdoors without the constant annoyance of these pesky bugs.
One effective way to repel midges is to use essential oils such as citronella, lavender, or eucalyptus. These oils have strong scents that midges find unappealing, making them less likely to come near. Simply mix a few drops of your chosen oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to exposed skin before heading outdoors. Not only will you repel midges, but you’ll also enjoy the pleasant aroma of the oils.
Another natural way to repel midges is to create a barrier using plants such as mint and marigold. These plants have strong scents that midges dislike, making them ideal for planting around outdoor seating areas. Additionally, burning citronella candles or torches can help repel midges by creating a barrier of scent around your outdoor space, keeping the bugs at a distance. By utilizing these natural methods, you can enjoy your evenings outdoors without the nuisance of midges buzzing around.
Citronella Candles
Citronella candles are a popular natural way to repel midges outdoors at night. The strong citrus scent of citronella oil helps mask the human scents that attract midges, making it harder for them to find their targets.
When using citronella candles, it is important to place them strategically around the area where you will be spending time outdoors. For maximum effectiveness, consider placing multiple candles at different heights to create a barrier of scent that will help keep midges at bay.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is a natural insect repellent that can help keep midges away when used outdoors at night. The strong, pleasant scent of lavender is known to repel a variety of insects, including midges.
To use lavender essential oil to repel midges, you can create a DIY insect repellent spray by mixing a few drops of lavender essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Shake well before use and spray it around your outdoor seating area to keep midges at bay.
You can also apply a few drops of lavender essential oil directly onto your skin or clothing to help repel midges. Remember to dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, before applying it to your skin to avoid irritation.
In addition to its insect-repelling properties, lavender essential oil is also known for its calming and relaxing effects, making it a great choice for keeping midges away while enjoying a peaceful evening outdoors.
Peppermint Spray
One natural way to repel midges outdoors at night is to create a peppermint spray. Peppermint oil has a strong scent that midges find unpleasant, making it an effective repellent.
To make a peppermint spray, combine 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake well before use.
Spray the peppermint solution around your outdoor sitting area, focusing on areas where midges tend to gather, such as around lights or near standing water.
Reapply the peppermint spray every few hours for continuous protection against midges while you enjoy the outdoors at night.
Eucalyptus Repellent
Eucalyptus is known for its powerful scent that can help repel midges. You can create your own homemade eucalyptus repellent by mixing eucalyptus essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil. Apply the mixture to your skin before heading outdoors to keep midges at bay.
Tea Tree Oil Lotion
Tea tree oil has strong insect-repelling properties and can be used to make a natural lotion to keep midges away. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil to create a skin-friendly lotion. Apply the lotion to exposed skin before heading outdoors at night to help repel midges effectively.
Lemongrass Plants
Lemongrass plants are known for their strong aroma that can help repel midges and other insects outdoors at night. These plants contain citronella, a natural oil that mosquitoes and midges find repulsive.
| Lemongrass plants are easy to grow in outdoor gardens or in pots on patios. |
| They thrive in warm, sunny climates and prefer well-drained soil. |
| To release the scent that repels midges, simply crush a few stalks of the lemongrass plant. |
| Regularly trimming and maintaining lemongrass plants will ensure a steady supply of natural insect repellent. |
Neem Oil Solution
Neem oil is a natural insect repellent that can effectively deter midges outdoors at night. It has a strong smell that insects find unpleasant, making it an ideal solution for keeping midges at bay.
How to Use Neem Oil
To create a neem oil solution, mix neem oil with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil in a 1:10 ratio. Apply the solution to exposed skin before heading outdoors to repel midges. You can also add a few drops of neem oil to a diffuser to keep midges away from outdoor seating areas.
| Pros | Cons |
| Effective repellent | Strong smell may be off-putting to some |
| Natural and non-toxic | May need to reapply frequently |
Camphor Sachets
Camphor sachets are small pouches filled with camphor, a natural substance derived from the wood of camphor trees. Camphor has a strong scent that is known to repel insects, including midges. Placing camphor sachets in key areas around your outdoor space can help keep midges away.
How to Use:
Hang camphor sachets in areas where midges tend to gather, such as near light sources or around seating areas. Alternatively, you can place them in pockets or on tables to create a barrier against midges.
Note: Be cautious when handling camphor, as it can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Garlic Barrier
Garlic is known for its strong smell and taste, which can be effective in repelling midges. Create a barrier by crushing a few cloves of garlic and mixing them with water. Spray this garlic solution around your outdoor seating area to create a natural barrier that midges will find unpleasant.
How to Make Garlic Barrier:
- Crush a few cloves of garlic.
- Mix the crushed garlic with water to create a solution.
- Spray the garlic solution around your outdoor seating area.
Marigold Flower Pots
Planting marigolds in flower pots around your outdoor space can help repel midges at night. Marigolds have a strong scent that deters insects, including midges, from entering your patio or garden area. Simply place a few marigold flower pots strategically around your seating area to enjoy a bug-free evening outdoors.