Natural solutions to repel mosquitos from backyard?

[fallstoclimb]

I don't really want to cover myself/my backyard in chemicals....but we have so. many. mosquitos.  This is my first house and I've never thought about area mosquito control before.  We do limit standing water as best we can but we still are eaten alive whenever we enjoy our backyard.  Any suggestions?

[abuzzyisawesome]

We bought a good ole'fashioned bug zapper from Amazon, a Flowtron. I can see a reduction already in our populace, and I use Off Naturals at dusk.

[Mr.Macinstache]

I have read that putting dryer sheets in your pockets work.

[mrpress]

Don't remember where but I read that having a simple box fan blowing "away" from you will keep mosquitos to a minimum because they can't fly into the breeze.

[Insanity]

Don't remember where but I read that having a simple box fan blowing "away" from you will keep mosquitos to a minimum because they can't fly into the breeze.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/16/science/a-low-tech-mosquito-deterrent.html?_r=0

[Spork]

Don't remember where but I read that having a simple box fan blowing "away" from you will keep mosquitos to a minimum because they can't fly into the breeze.

They're also easily confused.  They're after a scent.  We used one of those fancy-schmancy mosquito magnets (until it eventually broke).  It would catch only a handful... but DAMN IT WORKED on the confusion.  There would be swarms of them around it.

[PantsOnFire]

Build a bat house.  Let the bats do your dirty work. 

[mahina]

late to this party. though you have eliminated standing water in your yard as best you can, check around the neighborhood. maybe there's an old tire sitting outside your back fence in the alley. etc. you can also chat with neighbors, ask if they have a problem, agree to watch for breeding sites in your vicinity. mosquitoes are not just irritating--they spread disease.

[BC_Goldman]

Here are a couple of videos from GreenPowerScience on controlling mosquito populations with non-toxic methods.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU2kbghz85I controlling mosquitos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzq7tiR9jaQ controlling larvae

[gooki]

Chickens

[matchewed]

For an opposite approach and unusual one you could build a pond in your backyard with some underwater vegetation and try to attract dragonflies. Unless you live in the southwest I think you can do this in almost any location in the US. Dragonflies will eat mosquito larvae. But the other suggestions are of course simpler and more reasonable.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/lawn-garden/attract-dragonflies-to-your-yard-for-all-natural-pest-control-15724186

[Mr.Macinstache]

For an opposite approach and unusual one you could build a pond in your backyard with some underwater vegetation and try to attract dragonflies. Unless you live in the southwest I think you can do this in almost any location in the US. Dragonflies will eat mosquito larvae. But the other suggestions are of course simpler and more reasonable.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/lawn-garden/attract-dragonflies-to-your-yard-for-all-natural-pest-control-15724186

We have a bunch of dragonflies around here... probably because the feeding is good... I like the idea though, thanks for sharing.

[jpo]

Plant some catnip or lavender. There are quite a few plants that repel mosquitoes.

[mx905]

Put up a couple of bird feeders and the birds will help keep them in check.  I have found a noticeable difference when having them up.

[HappierAtHome]

Chickens

Does that really work? I'm a magnet for mosquitos and I really want to get chickens when I have a backyard... this could work out really well!

[gooki]

Yes it works. Depending on how much of a mosquito problem you may have to supplement the chooks with some additional pest control.