A cheap and natural ingredient costing about 30p can help keep mosquitoes out of your home. Simply cut a lemon in half and press 10-15 cloves into the exposed pulp, then place it on a plate near windows or doors. The combination of sweet, spicy and acidic smells confuses or repels mosquitoes.
Yellow fever mosquito threat increases
UK searches for “yellow fever mosquito” have surged by 5,000% over the past week. The Health Security Agency (UKHSA) surveillance has detected more than one case of the invasive species popping up in the UK. Mosquito eggs were found in a freight storage facility near Heathrow Airport in 2023, and a related invasive species, the Asian tiger mosquito, was discovered at a motorway service station in Kent in 2024.
Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, can spread diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya. It breeds most quickly in warm, humid conditions, with eggs able to hatch within days once water temperatures stay consistently warm. Parts of southern England have seen temperatures climb into the low-to-mid 30s Celsius, with warm, muggy nights giving standing water in gardens little chance to cool.
Garden expert's three quick fixes
Garden expert Luke Newnes at Hillarys says there are three quick and easy ways to stop gardens becoming a breeding ground. He explains: “A prolonged hot spell followed by muggy, still nights is exactly the kind of weather that lets mosquito eggs develop quickly, and most gardens are unknowingly full of the standing water they need.”
First, empty and cover water butts with a secure lid or fine mesh cover so mosquitoes cannot reach the surface to lay eggs. Second, tip out saucers, buckets and containers every 3-4 days, as Aedes aegypti eggs need around a week of standing water to complete their life cycle. Third, clear gutters and check for hidden puddles after rain to remove pooled water.
Fitting a fly-screen to external doors can also reduce the likelihood of house flies, fruit flies, and mosquitoes entering the home.
