If you have spent a summer evening in the open air, you probably have been exasperated by the nuisance of mosquitoes. With their whining buzz, they can make even the hardiest outdoor lovers go nuts. The diseases spread by mosquitoes can also be extremely serious and sometimes even deadly. To keep the mosquitoes away from your home, here are some of the organic ways to keep the bugs at bay.

There should be no standing water left anywhere – such as in cans left out on the lawn or in empty flower pots or vases. Ponds, pools, and yards that drain improperly can also attract mosquitoes. The good thing about mosquitoes is that they can’t fly very far, so if you find breeding spots on your property, you can easily eliminate them. In a swimming pool, there’s nothing to worry about as long as it’s chlorinated, mosquitoes will buzz right on by.

It’s important to hire a pro to inspect areas such as gutters, as these can collect a great amount of water when the drain is clogged, becoming a prime breeding spot. As you inspect the whole area around your house, assess your window screens and replace any that are broken, ripped or that do not fit properly.

A lotion or spray that contains DEET (a brand of diethyltoluamide), is an effective insect repellent. It's safe for kids when used as directed. Picaridin, oil of lemon, or eucalyptus are other good choices for keeping mosquitoes away, but will wear off after a certain number of hours, depending on the formula. Read the instructions on that bottle of insect repellent so you'll know when to reapply.

Mosquitoes love sweat and bacteria, making your toes a prime blood-sucking spot. Aedes aegypti is a kind of mosquito that is most likely responsible for spreading deadly the Zika virus. It tends to bite on the lower part of the body. so always use a repellent or cover your feet; consider wearing high-top sneakers or tall socks for extra protection.

Dress for even more success.

Consider wearing lightweight, light-colored clothes to hide your arms and legs. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. so during summer, when mosquitoes are festering around every corner, put away your black and navy and embrace those on-trend summer whites and pretty pastels.

The experts say that while most mosquitoes found in the U.S. bite in the evening, the types thought to carry Zika virus feed during daylight hours. For those living in the South, which is more likely to see Zika-carrying mosquitoes, make sure to enjoy your meal inside the house.

If you're going to host a large outdoor gathering, you must spray the area with a repellent so you can enjoy the party. Simply spray down the area you are planning on using at least 24 hours in advance.

If you plan for a small get-together party, it is ideal to place a tent in the area where guests will be eating. This can help avoid any concerns of food accidentally being sprayed with repellents and you can keep other unwanted guests, like bees and flies, away.  Many companies sell canopy tents with mosquito netting accessories.

You can help keep mosquitoes away from your patio by lighting candles or lanterns that contain one or more essential oils known to repel mosquitoes. These oils include citronella, clove, cedarwood, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass, and geraniol. Mosquito-repelling candles work best in small areas without a lot of air movement. The next time you want to enjoy time outside on your patio, try Ortho Home Defense Perimeter Protection Repellent Candles; it uses spearmint and lemongrass oil to repel 2x more mosquitoes than citronella.

Using mosquito traps can help keep mosquitoes away from your porch or patio. For an outdoor party, traps can be an effective way to protect your guests from mosquitoes, especially when you use it along with other mosquito controls and repellent products.

Mosquitoes are most active during early morning and in the twilight hours. If you are in the yard during these hours, use an EPA-approved personal repellent designed specifically for humans. Be sure to keep your spray handy if you plant to stay outside long.

As mosquitoes are a nuisance and the diseases spread by them can be extremely serious, you should learn these ways to help keep the mosquitoes away. These tips will allow you to stay healthier and enjoy your time outdoors during the summer months.