There are many ways to combat mosquitoes, but if you are worried about the chemicals you’re putting on your skin or on the super sensitive skin of your child, here are eight ways to rid yourself and your surroundings of those pesky insects. They are all safe and environmentally friendly, and I am sure you may have some of these already in your home.

Wear light colors. The same premise for keeping yourself cool in the sun will help keep mosquitoes away. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors: blue, black and red and heat. So try and keep yourself cool too. Stay away from perfumed colognes, perfumes and lotions as well.

Use a Fan. Simple. Easy and effective. Mosquitoes are incredibly lightweight and the use of a fan just blows them away. Using a fan is just as effective outdoors around patio tables and chairs.

Thai Lemon Grass. Lemon grass contains citronella oil and the scent actually masks your own personal scent. Mosquitoes tend to stay away from anything scented with this oil. Lemongrass is a perennial plant, which will return year after year.

Standing waters. No, don’t rub standing water on your skin, throw out or get rid of any standing water in bird baths, kiddie pools, gutters and sunken parts of your lawn.

Bat House. Build or buy a bat house. Bats eat thousands of insects in just an hour. Make sure to place the bat house in a well-ventilated area near your house.

Garlic. Great for Italian dishes and getting rid of mosquitoes and vampires. A great all around scent and flavor adding to your Italian dishes, warding off vampires and keeping mosquitoes at bay – garlic is the quintessential herb for everything. Mix one part garlic juice and five parts water in a spray bottle and lightly spray on your skin. Everyone has to get in on this one or you’ll stand out like… well you’ll stand out like a character from True Blood.

Catnip Oil. If you don’t mind a cat or cats sidling up to you, try essential oil of catnip on your skin.

All Terrain Herbal Armour. You can find this online and in most large sporting goods stores. All Terrain Herbal Amour is all-natural and does not contain any chemicals which can harm your skin. You can try mixing your own mosquito repellent by mixing oil of soybean, oil of citronella, oil of peppermint, oil of cedar, oil of lemongrass, oil of geranium beeswax, vegetable glycerin, xanthan gum, citric acid and water. You’ll have to experiment on the amounts to mix to find the best mixture to repel mosquitoes.