The beauty and romance of warm summer evenings are spoiled by annoying insects. Their buzzing and bites cause inconvenience, so a reasonable question arises: how to get rid of mosquitoes? Folk remedies, ultrasonic repellers or chemicals will help you cope with pests at home. Control methods can be used individually or in combination to achieve maximum effect.
Mosquitoes are dangerous insects whose bites cause itching, redness and the development of an allergic reaction. To avoid problems, it is important to know how to get rid of pests
The article contains effective methods of insect control that will help protect against mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.
How mosquitoes get into the house
The old legend that mosquitoes fly into the light is not true, otherwise they would spend all their time under the lamp, like moths. Little “vampires” sense “prey” by warmth. They sense infrared radiation emanating from a person or animal at a special level. And insects appear in the room more often in the summer. Having realized that there is something to eat here, the mosquito selects its victim by the smell of sweat, or more precisely by its component - lactic acid. An insect flies towards the light for the same reason: infrared vision in the dark picks up a little heat from a lamp or stove - this is how blood-sucking insects get into our rooms and houses. An allergy to mosquito bites is the most common occurrence that these insects can cause, of course, after the usual discomfort and scratching. Less commonly, mosquitoes are carriers of malaria, yellow fever and various viruses.
Ultrasonic repellers
These devices emit sounds of a certain frequency, which mosquitoes perceive as a threat. To repel insects, powerful stationary home protection devices connected to the electrical network have been developed. Pocket devices in the form of a keychain or pendant are battery-powered.
Special programs in smartphones can generate ultrasound to repel insects.
Advantages of repellers:
- Safety for humans and ease of use.
- Long service life.
- Low energy consumption.
Flaws:
- Mosquitoes fly in immediately after turning off the device.
- Ultrasound does not pass through obstacles.
- The frequency often does not meet the requirements, so the device does not always repel insects.
- High price.
Homemade mosquito repellents
How to get rid of mosquitoes at home? Today there are many drugs available to control flying pests. Fumigants are produced for use in the room - products that act on the basis of smoke. One such product is an anti-mosquito coil. The principle of its operation is quite simple: one end of the spiral is set on fire, and it gradually melts, releasing smoke. Substances contained in smoke block the respiratory system of insects and kill them. The next group of drugs is electrofumigators. Special devices operating from the network. They use either a special plate or a gel that evaporates when heated and releases mosquito-killing substances into the air. The main disadvantage of this group of protective equipment is their short range. The most famous brands can provide security in rooms no larger than 12 m2. To avoid useless work in the apartment, they use either several fumigants and fumigators, or more powerful models. Correct operation is important:
- Turn on or set fire to the product in an empty room for half an hour.
- Stop its operation and ventilate the room.
- Close the windows. You can enjoy the peace.
Healthy sleep is useful, and it is more pleasant to sleep with the window open and without itchy “neighbors,” but it is undesirable to turn on the drug all night and next to the sleeping person. Under no circumstances should the product be used near children, nursing or pregnant women.
Many people are allergic to the use of such protective equipment. To prevent this from happening, you can resort to an alternative - a home remedy for mosquitoes, which is made according to the principles of traditional medicine.
Electrofumigators
These devices help repel insects indoors. Electric fumigators are designed for a specific area of influence. A container with liquid or a plate is installed in the device.
When heated, they release insecticide.
The active substance has a nerve-paralytic effect on mosquitoes. After a few minutes they become lethargic and soon die. The devices are effective and safe, but the substances in them sometimes cause allergies. The instructions do not recommend staying closer than 1 meter from a working fumigator.
Folk remedies for mosquitoes
It is much easier for a person to use time-tested substances to protect the body. Especially if he eats them. For this reason, protection from bloodsuckers in the apartment will not only be useful, but in some cases even pleasant. Let's figure out how to save yourself from mosquitoes using traditional methods.
Carnation
The basis of protection against blood-sucking insects is essential oils and ordinary seasonings - what mosquitoes are afraid of. For example, cloves, both dry and in oil form, are one of the most popular remedies. If you have clove buds, pour about five grams of hot water, let it brew for 15-20 minutes and apply to your skin using a spray bottle. The same list can include:
- lavender;
- lemon balm;
- eucalyptus;
- mint;
- basil;
- geranium.
If the idea of applying essential oil to your skin is not to your liking, there are other options. One option is to drop the oil into a small locket and wear it around your neck. Another way is to soak a napkin in oil and place it in a saucer at the head of the head. And your sleep will be sound, and no one will disturb you. If you have an aroma lamp, just add oil there.
You can use cloves in combination with lemon as a fumigator. Cut the lemon in half, insert the clove buds inside and place the resulting dish by your bed or window. You will associate the pleasant smell with the New Year holidays. But bloodsuckers won't like it. If you don’t have time to prepare, but you need protection right now, buy “Carnation” cologne. Mosquitoes also do not like alcohol-containing solutions, and combined with the aroma of cloves, this product will give a double effect.
Vanillin
The pleasant smell of vanilla has long been an attribute of fresh baked goods. But mosquitoes and annoying midges simply hate it. To protect against insects, dilute half a tablespoon of vanillin in a mug of warm water, dip a cotton pad in this solution and wipe the skin - you will get a pleasant skin smell as a bonus. You can also mix 40-60 grams of vanillin powder with baby cream and apply after thorough mixing.
Valerian root
Another method of protection is a decoction of valerian roots. To prepare it, you need to grind the valerian root, put it in a saucepan and pour one and a half liters of water into it. Then put on the stove and bring to a boil. Next, the product is poured into an airtight container and infused for an hour. For best use, strain the broth and let it cool. Apply to skin using cotton pads or spray. Of the minuses: there may be problems with pets - you will get rid of blood-sucking ones, but it will be more difficult to hide from cat attention.
The same effect as valerian is given by the roots of wormwood and wheatgrass. Moreover, cats are indifferent to them.
Good old "Star"
Who among us has not felt the healing effect of the famous “Star”? Even as children, we thought that this magical remedy could cure all diseases. This is true when it comes to mosquito protection. Apply the balm precisely to the skin, and mosquitoes will not show their noses in your home. If you are allergic to asterisk or there is no such remedy, replace it with any camphor-containing one. Apply it to the same points, and the effect will not be long in coming.
If you are bitten: how to treat mosquito bites
As a rule, mosquito bites go away on their own; some lucky ones don’t even notice them. However, if the bite site is very red, itchy or swollen, there is a large selection of special products that can be bought at the pharmacy. Or folk recipes will come to the rescue again.
- Soda solution.
Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, moisten a cotton pad with the solution and apply to the bite site. - Ammonia.
Dilute alcohol with water in a 1:1 ratio and make a cotton lotion. - Aspirin.
Crush a regular (not instant) aspirin tablet, add a little water and apply the resulting paste to the bite site. - Fresh potatoes.
Grate the peeled potato on a fine grater and apply to the bite site. When the potato pulp darkens, change the lotion. - Ice.
To relieve discomfort and swelling, apply ice or something cold from the freezer to the skin. - Parsley.
In order for the effect of such a lotion to be effective, the parsley leaves need to be chopped and lightly mashed to obtain juice. - Plantain.
It is no coincidence that in childhood we treated all the wounds received in the yard with it. Plantain is also great for mosquito bites.
How to protect your home from mosquitoes
The fight against flying parasites using folk remedies is so diverse that it will protect not only you, but also your apartment. Let's look at what repels mosquitoes.
Basil
By planting this effective plant under your windows or door, as well as placing it near the window inside, you will protect yourself from mosquito penetration. In addition, the smell of basil also repels flies. The convenience of this option lies in the plant’s great adaptability: it can grow even in hot summers without much hassle. The smell of basil is pleasant to humans, and the appearance is quite beautiful.
Lavender
Lavender has the same effect as basil. Just place it in places where insects are expected to appear - mosquitoes, butterflies and moths - and forget about their invasion.
Mint
In terms of the number of repelled insects and rodents, mint takes an honorable leading place. Ants, flies, fleas, mosquitoes and mice will forever forget the way to your home if you place dried mint on your windowsill.
You should not use pennyroyal because the plant is poisonous.
Elder
Elderberry branches are also effective in repelling mosquitoes. True, you will have to change them periodically, but this is the only disadvantage of this method. You can also plant the plant under the windows or in front of the entrance to the house. Most often, mosquitoes enter rooms through open windows, since in the hot season the only way to freshen the room is ventilation. To correct this situation, there are several possible methods of protection, for example, a mosquito net, however, it does not provide a 100% guarantee, since insects can enter even a small gap by folding their wings. You can also avoid opening windows altogether, for example, purchase a breather. This device constantly supplies fresh air and has a number of accompanying advantages: silent operation, the ability to set the desired temperature and three air purification filters. Just set the breather to the operating mode convenient for you, close the windows, and the risk of insects will be reduced to zero.
Other mosquito repellents
To finally understand the protection against bloodsuckers, we will analyze modern methods of influencing them.
Sonic attack
Ultrasonic repellers operate according to the following principle:
- The device emits an alarming squeak from a male mosquito.
- Hearing him, the female flies around the place.
- Your apartment is protected.
Manufacturers of such units promise from one and a half to thirty meters of an insect-free zone. At the same time, the human ear does not hear anything, that is, the device is absolutely silent. That's a plus. On the downside: there is no universal signal for mosquitoes, since each of them squeaks in its own range. This means that if some blood-sucking creatures do not get into your home, then this is far from one hundred percent. In addition, mosquitoes hardly hear - they navigate, as we have already noted, by heat and sweat. Carbon dioxide exhaled by humans also plays the role of a guide.
Lighting devices
The operating principle of these devices is to use ultraviolet light, which serves as a bait for insects. Mosquitoes die from contact with energized metal bars. The coverage area is from 20 to 90 meters. Of the minuses: such a lamp is unlikely to save you from contact with flying parasites, since they do not like light and actively avoid it. Even the heat emitted by such a “luminary” will not attract insects, since it does not produce either carbon dioxide or sweat, so your apartment will still receive uninvited guests. But lamps can easily rid you of the presence of butterflies, flies and moths.
Anti-mosquito bracelets
One of the very convenient ways to get rid of blood-sucking insects is an anti-mosquito bracelet. Just put it on your hand and the mosquitoes will leave you behind. The operating principle of such bracelets is based on the essential oils contained in them. True, protection by such means is quite local. If you decide to purchase just such protection, buy bracelets in opaque packaging, since otherwise the device may lose its properties even before opening due to exposure to sunlight. Bracelets can also cause allergies, so you should be careful. The average validity period is 200 hours, which is also worth considering when purchasing.
Anti-mosquito bracelets
The operating principle of the device is simple. Inside the bracelet there is a plate with oil, which gradually evaporates and neutralizes the carbon dioxide odor of a person.
The device operates at a distance of 2–3 meters.
Advantages of the bracelet:
- a child and an adult can cope with it;
- low price;
- safe natural materials are used for production;
- durability subject to storage and operating conditions;
- contact with skin is not necessary; can be worn over the sleeve of clothing.
Flaws:
- Strong smell;
- allergic reactions to essential oils are possible;
- prohibited for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under three years of age and allergy sufferers.
The best mosquito repellent
To summarize, let's look at the question: is there a better mosquito repellent? According to online surveys, 35% of respondents use fumigators, despite the fact that the apartment is filled with the smell of chemicals. This is explained by ease of use and accessibility: there is no need to wait and look for ingredients. It is for this reason that traditional methods are on the last line, but this does not mean that they are less effective. It’s just that in the modern rhythm of life, not all city residents have time to prepare infusions and herbal decoctions. In addition, you can’t get the ingredients everywhere. About a quarter of respondents use sprays and ointments. Another quarter treats mosquitoes with humor: “They don’t bite me.” Be that as it may, the best mosquito repellent is the one that suits you. Don’t be afraid to try different methods, and your apartment will become an impregnable fortress for flying “vampires”.
Have a comfortable summer and fresh wind!
