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.
Features of mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are small insects reaching a length of 3-7 mm. Their activity peaks in the warm season. You can encounter this problem in nature, in the courtyard of a private house, in a barn or living room. Insects fly into the house in response to the heat, which is detected by their infrared vision.
Mosquitoes feed on plant sap, but female pests also feed on human blood, which is necessary for the development of offspring and population growth. Insects find their victims by the smell of sweat.
Insects make squeaking and buzzing noises while flying, which disturbs sleep and peace. But the main danger of mosquitoes is bites, which cause discomfort in the form of itching, redness, and swelling. In addition, insects can be carriers of dangerous infectious diseases (malaria or yellow fever).
Mosquitoes are small insects whose females feed on human blood to reproduce healthy offspring.
Why do mosquitoes appear at home?
Mosquitoes in an apartment are a very common phenomenon, and hardly anyone can boast of a summer spent without them. Before looking for effective methods to combat these insects, you should find out the reasons for their appearance in apartments.
- Humidity. Mosquitoes favor dampness, so if there is water in the basement of a house, insects will be happy to adapt this basement to their habitat. It is from this that they will fly to different apartments. So, first of all, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the basement.
- Warm. As is known, only female mosquitoes suck human blood. They need it to lay eggs. The female insect feels a breath of warm air from the apartment and flies to the heat source.
- Muffled light. Sunlight blinds mosquitoes, and therefore they rarely attack during daylight hours. Most often they can be seen at dusk or at night.
- The mosquito has more than 70 receptors that allow it to detect a wide variety of scents. The most attractive to them is the smell of sweat and alcohol, or more precisely, the smell of ethanol from a drunk person. These are the odors, the intensity of which a person can influence. There are also a number of aromas that only mosquitoes can understand. For example, mosquitoes are attracted to people with blood types 1 and 2, children and pregnant women.
Effective means and methods of mosquito control
You can control mosquitoes indoors using improvised means or specialized devices. All methods are safe for people and pets, but are also effective in killing pests.
Electrofumigators
A fumigator is a small device powered by an electrical network. The principle of operation is based on heating a special plate or liquid, which, under the influence of high temperature, releases substances into the air that destroy mosquitoes and other insects.
Advantages of fumigators:
- ease of use;
- safety for people and pets;
- availability and low cost.
However, this method of fighting insects also has negative sides: a short range of action and the need to frequently change the plates or liquid.
Fumigator is an effective means of controlling pests indoors. Before using the device, carefully read the instructions and rules of use.
Instructions for using fumigators:
- Insert a plate or jar with the active substance into the fumigator.
- Plug the device into a power outlet.
- Leave the device for 30-40 minutes.
- Ventilate the room well by installing mosquito nets on the windows. Enjoy peace and tranquility in the apartment.
Do not leave the device turned on for a long time, especially overnight. Avoid using the fumigator in rooms where there are children or pregnant women - in this case, use alternative, safer means.
Ultrasonic repellers
Ultrasonic devices will help repel insects, which operate according to the following principle: the device makes a sound that imitates the squeak of a male mosquito, and the females fly around the area.
The advantages of such devices:
- large impact area (1.5-25 m);
- the signals emitted by the device are not perceptible to human hearing;
- safety for pets.
Lighting devices
To protect your premises from annoying mosquitoes, use light traps. They are based on a source of ultraviolet light that attracts insects. Once trapped, mosquitoes die from contact with the energized metal grid. The operating area of the device is 20-80 m2, but the device does not provide a 100% guarantee, since the heat of the room and the smell of sweat will attract pests more than the lamp.
To combat mosquitoes, modern advances in technology are used - light traps and ultrasonic repellers. Such devices are effective mainly in open space.
Valerian root decoction
A decoction of valerian root will help fight mosquitoes. Preparation procedure:
- Place a handful of crushed raw materials in a saucepan.
- Fill the plant with 1.5 liters of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then pour into an airtight container and let sit for 1 hour.
Spray the resulting product onto your skin before going outside. Also place cotton pads soaked in the decoction on the windowsill - the aroma of valerian will repel insects and protect the room from them.
If there are cats in the house, this product may attract their excessive attention. In this case, use alternative herbs for cooking - wheatgrass or wormwood root.
Essential oils
How to get rid of mosquitoes in an apartment if the fumigator does not help? In this case, essential oils will work effectively and can be used in several ways:
- Apply oil to exposed skin before walking outside;
- use an aroma lamp to cleanse the room of mosquitoes;
- use a diffuser to quickly diffuse the oils. This method will get rid of insects, destroy bacteria and fill the room with a pleasant aroma;
- drop a couple of drops on a napkin and place it at the head of the bed to protect your sleep.
Essential oils of citrus fruits, coniferous trees, and medicinal herbs are effective in the fight against mosquitoes. They can be used in a variety of ways depending on the degree of protection required.
The most effective oils include lavender, mint, clove, lemon balm, anise, fir, eucalyptus, and basil oils. The choice depends on individual preferences and the body's reaction to aromas. If you experience headaches, dizziness or other unpleasant sensations, use a different oil or method of fighting bloodsuckers.
Vanillin
The sweet aroma of vanilla is attractive in baked goods, but it is repellent to mosquitoes. To prepare a protective agent: 1 tbsp. l. Dissolve vanillin in warm water or vodka. Soak a cotton pad in the resulting product and apply it to your skin to protect yourself from bites.
Mosquitoes do not tolerate the smell of vanillin, so it can be used to prepare a protective spray or indoor repellent
Plants
Indoor plants will help prevent mosquitoes from entering the room. To protect against blood-sucking insects, plant basil on the windowsill. Its aroma will repel pests, and you will always have fresh herbs on hand.
Live or dried lavender sprigs will help control mosquitoes. Place them in places where insects may appear and forget about the problem. This method is effective not only in the fight against mosquitoes, but also repels flies, moths, butterflies and other pests from the house. Peppermint, elderberry branches, lemon balm, lilac, geranium, and bird cherry have a similar effect.
To combat mosquitoes, plants with a pronounced aroma are used. These include mint, lemon balm, lavender, elderberry, etc. In addition to fighting insects, plants fill the premises with a pleasant fragrant aroma
Treatment of mosquito bites with folk remedies
After you become a victim of a mosquito, you will notice swelling, redness, and swelling in the affected area. Traditional methods will help alleviate this suffering.
The most popular of them:
- Plantain leaves . Mash the leaves thoroughly and apply them to the bite site. This will not only reduce swelling, but also disinfect the wound.
- Ammonia . Dilute it with water and apply to the affected area. It is recommended to dilute it in the following proportions: 1 part alcohol and 3 parts water.
- An alcohol tincture of menovazine will relieve swelling, irritation, and itching. The product is no worse than expensive advertised gels.
- Garlic is considered a traditional remedy for mosquito bites . Crush the garlic, add a little water, apply the paste to the bite site.
- Baking soda helps reduce inflammation and significantly reduce itching. Add 1 tsp to a small amount of water. soda After mixing you will get a thick mass. It is applied to the affected area of the skin. Wrap with damp cloth. The solution can also be made more liquid. This will allow you to periodically apply the product to the bites throughout the day.
- Salt will help get rid of blisters that appear after bites . Use fine table salt and rub it on your skin.
- Laundry soap needs to be crushed by adding a small amount of water . The result should be a thick mass. For these purposes, try to find dark-colored soap.
- Onion . Cut the head so that the cut can be applied to the bite site. You will immediately experience pleasant coolness, reduced itching and reduced redness. However, onions, like garlic, should be used with extreme caution. They should not be kept on the skin for too long, as this can cause burns.
Preventing mosquitoes indoors
In order to protect yourself and your home from annoying bloodsuckers, take care of the following preventive measures:
- Install mosquito nets on the windows, which will prevent not only mosquitoes, but also other insects from entering the room. This method of prevention is absolutely safe, non-toxic and effective;
- use fumigators or ultrasonic repellers;
- When walking outdoors, use protective equipment - creams, sprays, gels. Their action time is 2-4 hours, so periodically renew the protective layer;
- use folk remedies and substances with pronounced aromas to repel insects;
- take care to maintain cleanliness in the apartment, avoid high humidity and unsanitary conditions.
To protect your room from mosquitoes, install special mosquito nets on the windows. This will allow you to ventilate the apartment without letting pests in
It is impossible to get rid of blood-sucking insects forever, since they get used to smells, learn to “bypass” traps and overcome considerable obstacles by smelling the smell of food. However, properly organized control and preventive measures will help minimize the risk of mosquito bites and the spread of pests. Use folk remedies, repellent devices and other methods to prevent annoying insects from spoiling your vacation in the summer.
How to protect your cottage from mosquitoes
To make your stay at the dacha comfortable, pleasant and safe, you can plant natural repellents on the site. They will release phytoncides and aroma into the air, repelling bloodsuckers.
Experienced summer residents recommend planting repellent plants such as:
- bird cherry;
- basil;
- lavender;
- coniferous crops;
- mint;
- elder;
- Melissa.
Natural repellents such as bird cherry and basil are considered accessible and safe for humans. It is enough to plant them near the country house so that they fulfill their protective function. Basil can also be planted in flower beds and placed on windowsills and at the entrance to the house. This plant is quite beautiful and emits a pleasant smell.
Lavender also has the same effect on mosquitoes, butterflies, and moths. A beautifully flowering plant will give your garden plot a well-groomed and beautiful appearance. It can also be placed in the house.
Mint's scent can repel not only insects, but also rodents. Flies, ants, fleas, mosquitoes and mice will not appear in the dacha if mint grows in the yard. You can also use dried leaves by placing them inside the house. You cannot plant pennyroyal in your yard because it is a poisonous plant.
Elderberry branches and berries are also good at repelling bloodsuckers. It is good if the bush grows close to the entrance to the house or in front of the windows. Several branches of the plant can be placed in a vase inside the house.
Useful tips
To avoid unnecessary attention from mosquitoes, you should not use perfume. Their aroma attracts insects in the same way as the smell of sweat.
You should avoid wearing dark colors and carefully plan your time spent outdoors. Don't forget about the times when mosquitoes attack.
If, despite all precautions, you are exposed to insect bites, the damaged areas must be lubricated with hydrogen peroxide, vinegar solution, alcohol or a special anti-itch ointment. Applying ice and cold water soaks are also effective.
Today there are a huge number of both folk and modern mosquito repellents. Which one to choose is up to you!
Fumigants and repellents
Repellents and fumigants are chemical agents. Fumigants are divided into electrical and pyrotechnic.
Electric fumigators are devices that run on electricity. Repellent components are liquid or plates that, when heated, release chemicals that mosquitoes do not like. Manufacturers promise that after an hour there will not be a single insect left in the room with the fumigator turned on.
Advantages of the fumigator:
- No contact with skin;
- Ease of use;
- Availability;
- Low price;
- There are no obvious negative effects on health.
Flaws:
- Short service life;
- Irritating strong odor;
- Cannot be used in a home with children or pregnant women;
- Headache and allergies may occur.
If mosquitoes are not afraid of the fumigator, you may have bought a fake or it is broken. In small doses, fumigants repel insects, but in large doses they kill.
Pyrotechnics are plates that need to be set on fire. Spirals are used in the yard, on the site, during recreation. If they are used in the home, they may cause headaches.
Most mosquito repellents contain diethyl phthalate, which is effective against insects but is toxic. When using them, you must follow the rules and safety measures.
- The repellent must be applied according to the rules recommended by the manufacturer.
- Lotions and creams are intended for application to the skin and last for an hour and a half.
- A safe repellent is a pencil. Cases of an allergic reaction are rare, but the smell is unpleasant.
- Bracelets soaked in natural oils are one of the safest ways to repel mosquitoes.
- Scented candles will repel insects; mosquitoes do not like their smell; they can be used at home or outdoors.
Ways to enter the apartment
In order for the fight against mosquitoes to be successful, it is important to find out how they get into the apartment and stop this path.
- Insects love moisture. If a river flows near the house or there is a lake, in the summer residents are subject to regular mosquito attacks.
- Pests happily settle in damp basements, breed there, fly into the entrance in clouds, and enter the home through open doors and ventilation.
- Bloodsuckers can set up a nest right in the apartment. The toilet, bathroom and any rooms with high humidity are at risk.
Parasites smell human skin from afar and strive for it, anticipating a meal. Their small size allows them to easily fit through tiny cracks. Even one insect can significantly ruin people’s lives, biting a delicate body and disturbing sleep with a thin squeak.
Ultrasonic repellers
Ultrasound against mosquitoes has been used recently. The operating principle of the devices is based on ultrasonic waves. Are mosquitoes afraid of ultrasound? The opinions of scientists are divided; 100% effectiveness has not been proven. But, some models really work. Devices that are plugged into the network, battery-powered, and portable devices are sold.
When purchasing a device, keep in mind that ultrasound works at a distance of up to 5 meters if it is a stationary model and up to two meters for portable models.
Ultrasound is not dangerous for humans, since we cannot hear it. What frequency are mosquitoes afraid of? The creators say that bloodsuckers cannot withstand a frequency of 30 kHz. And the devices are produced with a floating frequency, from 4 to 40 kHz. It is believed that mosquitoes are afraid of the sound that imitates the flight of dragonflies, and this is 30 kHz.
