You Can Use An Egg Carton To Repel Mosquitoes But Is It Safe?

Mosquitoes are associated with summer, but the reality is these blood-sucking insects can be both an annoyance and a potential spreader of disease almost any time of the year. To combat the problem, you might be looking for more natural ways to repel mosquitoes without resorting to chemical-containing commercial products. One method you may have stumbled upon is the egg carton hack. However, while smoke might deter these insects, it's not clear whether this DIY method is a safe way to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard, and there are some serious caveats to consider. 

Proponents of the egg carton method for mosquito control suggest taking an empty cardboard egg carton outside and lighting a corner of it on fire. Then, you are supposed to place the smoldering cardboard on top of a safe spot, such as a grill or a fire pit. In theory, the smoke may keep mosquitoes away, and this method is said to smell similar to that of a traditional campfire. The problem is that you might be doing more harm than good with this hack, as burning cardboard is hazardous due to its high flammability rate, as well as the possible presence of chemicals. Another potential problem is that burning cardboard may be illegal in your area. 

Instead of using the cardboard egg carton trick, it's worth exploring other ways you can repel these bugs naturally, as well as with traditional methods. Aside from smoke, these insects do not care for windy conditions, so you might consider using a fan outdoors to help keep them away from where you and your loved ones gather. Also, you should eliminate items with stagnant water around your yard that may be attracting mosquitoes in the first place. Possibilities include gutters, toys, or old birdbaths. Draining them will help prevent mosquitoes from using your yard as a breeding ground. Mosquitoes are also attracted to dark clothing, and they may be able to bite you through fitted clothing. As such, you should consider wearing light-colored, loose pants and shirts to help avoid getting bitten.

If you're considering using insect repellants, but you also don't want to use those that contain DEET or other chemicals, consider oil of lemon eucalyptus. People use this earthy scent to deter wasps, as well as other pests like mosquitoes. Keep in mind that this ingredient doesn't last as long as DEET-containing products, so you may need to reapply it if you're outside for several hours. Also, oil of lemon eucalyptus isn't safe to be used on children under 3 years of age. Finally, if mosquitoes are a nuisance despite repelling efforts, you may consider staying indoors during peak times for these insects, which are around dusk and dawn.