Natural Summer Remedies: The Test

I have mentioned that the house we are living in is fairly new to us (just celebrating our one year anniversary a few months past.) And although I LOVE my neighborhood there are a few things about it I could live without. Because one thing about new neighborhoods in Colorado, they are typically waaaaaaaay far out there. In the midst of farms, land, and other new developments spouting up here and there. Now, the dust sucks and I feel like I dust twice a week and I can deal with that (because I actually do NOT dust twice a week, I just SHOULD dust twice a week), but it is the FLIES that just kill me in the summer. With a back door wall that seems to be kept in the open position (thanks to the likes of a certain three year old, ok, I am totally guilty of it too….) But we often have no less than 4-5 flies in the house at all times. And as soon as I swat one, another sneaks it’s way in. We are a three fly swatter household and Grant is not afraid to use one!

But then I found this (from The Healthy Home Economist):

Gallon Ziploc bag, water, a few pennies

I hung this contraption in my backyard on a flowerpot hook that is no longer in use. It looks so white trash. SO. And I am sure my neighbors are wondering what the hell I am doing now. But guess what neighbors? I don’t have flies anymore! THIS WORKS! And so I am putting one up on my front porch too, wonder when HOA will tell me to take it down?

Next Summer Remedy: Using dryer sheets as a mosquito repellant. Apparently I didn’t pin this one, could be because I made it up? Here is a list of dryer sheet alternatives, but using it as a mosquito repellent is not one of them. But I swear that I have heard of this as a remedy* and wanted to put it to the test. So last weekend I brought them to the bonfire we had with our neighbors. Now, Matt and I came away bite-free (I cannot speak for our neighbors) and  I can’t say for sure if it was the dryer sheets or the fact that all of us had on LONG SLEEVES AND JEANS, or perhaps the alcohol consumption…but I cannot confirm or deny this one. But if you do try it in a more controlled setting, let me know how it works out for ya.

[As I went to post this to Facebook, ironically enough, in my news feed was an article from Stylist that test natural home mosquito repellent remedies and my dryer sheet tip was listed! However, seems as if you need to rub it on your skin. I just had mine in my pocket. Rubbing dryer sheet on my skin is just about the last thing I want to do...gross.]

*My research drove me to Snopes, they deny this one. I don’t believe them.