It’s mosquito time!

Even the low-desert in Arizona has mosquitoes. With the recent rains it is important to check your yard and gardens for standing water. Here are some typical places to check:

• Ridding your backyard of standing water.
  
• Common places include old tires, buckets, wheelbarrows, gutters, and pet dishes.


• Emptying plastic wading pools, birdbaths, plant pots, or drip trays every four to five days.


• Draining standing puddles, ditches, tree holes, or tree stumps.


• Ensuring your swimming pools and decorative ponds/fountains are clean and operational.


• Fixing or installing window and door screens around your home, and properly maintaining your evaporative cooler.


• Avoiding over-watering your lawn.

For more detailed information and to get an email with WHERE Maricopa county is spraying the pesticide go here.
http://www.maricopa.gov/Public_Health/HotTopics/wnv/

You can help repel them for you naturally by applying these to your skin and you will smell great too!

Vanilla Oil – REAL vanilla oil from Mexico – repels mosquitoes

Lavender Oil – dab it on your wrists – repels mosquitoes

For more natural garden remedies from your kitchen click here.

Until next time - Happy Digging,

Doreen aka The Garden Goddess
www.down2earthgardens.com