mosquito repellents

Introduction It is a misconception that mosquitoes thrive only in tropical, warm environments. They can also survive in temperate and colder regions during summer and spring. It is challenging to avoid mosquito bites. Here are some 15 tips to prevent mosquito bites while sleeping. Mosquito bites are frequent during the warm monsoon season, they also make their presence felt during winter. Mosquito bites cause red, itchy bumps on the skin and can even cause life-threatening diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya and zika. Therefore, knowing how to prevent mosquito bites effectively is vital.  1. Steer Clear of Mosquito Habitats Mosquitoes require still, stagnant water to lay their eggs. Young mosquitoes can hatch and grow in anything that holds even a small amount of water. Therefore, clearing stagnant water and trash is necessary, especially during monsoon season. Remove old tyres as they are considered prime mosquito nurseries. Drill holes in them to let water drain out. Do not pile up on cups, cans, empty bottles and other forms of trash. Discard trash responsibly. Empty children’s buckets and pools after use. Eliminate still water in plastic covers, gutters, toys and other containers that are great mosquito havens. Change and empty water in fountains, bird baths, rain barrels, wading pools and potted plant trays at least once during the week, thus destroying potential mosquito breeding grounds. Fill temporary water pools with dirt. Treat and circulate water in swimming pools. 2. Dress Wisely Deep-coloured clothing, like deep blue, red and black, stands out and attracts bugs. Therefore, wear light-coloured clothes, especially when you head outdoors. When mosquitoes are overly active in the evening, wear full-sleeve shirts, socks and long, preferably loose pants. Always tuck the pants under the socks or shoes so that no surface area on the body remains open. 3. Opt for Woven Clothing Breathable fabrics with tight weaves, like nylon, cotton, and denim, are difficult for mosquitoes to penetrate. On the other hand, they can easily bite through lighter and thinner fabrics like spandex. So, always choose tightly woven fabrics.  Also, choose clothes pretreated with the insecticide permethrin if you reside in a mosquito-prone region. Mosquitoes that land on this kind of clothing fly off and eventually die. 4. Use Mosquito Repellents You can use different mosquito repellent lotions, sprays and creams that effectively ward off mosquitoes. These are infused with chemicals and herbal oils that keep mosquitoes at bay with their fragrance. However, choosing the right repellent is very important here. AAP  or the American Academy of Paediatrics recommends DEET repellents that protect against West Nile virus, Zika virus and Lyme disease. Other effective mosquito repellents contain PMD, IR3535 insecticide or picaridin, which are considered safe when used as instructed. Check for skin irritations when choosing mosquito repellents, especially for children and pregnant women. Avoid spraying the content around the mouth and eyes. Use them on the feet, ankles, wrists and lower legs- these are the thin-skinned areas of the body where mosquitoes usually bite. 5.  Use Mosquito Nets How do we prevent mosquito bites while sleeping? By using mosquito nets! They are specifically useful in humid and warm places throughout the year and create a physical barrier that protects from mosquito bites while sleeping. Well-fitted screens on windows and doors are also good to keep mosquitoes away from entering your home or other premises. But then you must ensure they are repaired from time to time. Check for holes large enough for insects to come through. Patch up all such holes on your window or door screen. 6. Safeguard the Backyard Use a mosquito lantern with a permethrin release function in your backyard, especially if it is semi-enclosed or features a pool with two to three walls. Do not choose torches, lanterns and citronella candles, as even the slightest breeze can blow away the active ingredients in these products. You can depend on wind power to ward off mosquitoes from open areas surrounding your premises. Another option is to set up a big box fan in the yard. Once the air speed of the fan reaches more than 1 mile per hour, mosquitoes will find it challenging to fly. Also, fill up your home and garden with mosquito-repellent plants like citronella, feverfew and lavender. 7. Always Have Mosquito Dunks Handy Mosquito dunks are small, doughnut-shaped tablets that release bacteria known to kill mosquito larvae. The bacteria do not harm plants, animals and humans and are thus the perfect solution for homeowners who want to know how to prevent mosquito bites. These small dunks are also effective in potentially infected regions like rain barrels, fish ponds and bird baths. Therefore, you must always have them handy. 8. Stay Indoors During Dawn and Dusk Culex and Anopheles mosquitoes that cause dangerous infections are most prevalent during dusk and dawn, primarily dusk. Therefore, you must avoid the outdoors as much as possible during these times of the day. 9. Keep the Surrounding Landscape Clean Well-trimmed shrubs and trees improve the air circulation of a property. Increased airflow pushes the mosquitoes out of the area. 10. Use Bug Zappers Bug zappers or mosquito traps use UV light and carbon dioxide to attract and kill mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are attracted to the blue glow of these traps. Just one of these electronic mosquito killers from a good brand offers half an acre of coverage. 11. Burn Neem Leaves and Repellent Oils Looking for a budget-friendly way to prevent mosquito bites? Get some neem leaves from the backyard and burn them safely at the entrance of your house or other mosquito-prone areas. This effectively purifies the surroundings as mosquitoes cannot bear the smell of burning neem leaves. You can also use affordable repellent coils that burn for seven hours and release a smoke-containing pyrethroid. This serves as a spatial repellent for mosquitoes and even other insects. 12. Say No to Scented Products      Research has proved  that scented products, like lotions, shampoos, soaps, aromatic oils or perfumes, attract mosquitoes more. Thus, try to use such products less, or opt for products with a very light scent or no scent. 13. Use Yellow Lights in the Outdoors Replace outdoor illuminators with bright, yellow lights. These do not repel mosquitoes but usually attract fewer of them. 14. Limit Your Movement Activity and movement make you more apparent to the mosquitoes. When these bugs get closer to land, they sense body heat, indicating where blood is the closest to the surface. Hence, they know where to feed. More activity and movement will raise your skin temperature, thus making you stand out easily. 15. Avoid Alcohol      Studies show that consuming alcohol  also makes people attractive to mosquitoes. This is because alcohol increases the blood flow to the skin and the metabolic rate. The latter boosts CO2 production, which helps the mosquitoes find their food sources faster and make you the centre of their attacks. Conclusion Mosquito bites do not cause any harm and resolve themselves after a few hours. Nevertheless, they can be annoying, itchy and sore in their appearance. Follow the tips above to eliminate those red, swollen bumps on your skin faster and more effectively.

Do you love lounging in your yard while enjoying a barbecue party with your mates but hate the unwanted tiny parasites called mosquitoes? Well, here is the best way to repel mosquitoes naturally. Even though there are synthetic mosquito repellents available in the market, they can be a cause of concern if inhaled. That is why many homeowners are looking to repel mosquitoes naturally and protect their loved ones from the bites. The best part about natural repellents is that they are harmless to the environment and humans. Natural repellents usually block the sense of smell in mosquitoes. This, in turn, can make it hard for the tiny parasite to land on a human and suck its blood. Here is the list of 10 Natural Mosquito Repellents: Lemon Eucalyptus Oil   In 2014, a study proved that a repellent with 32% of lemon eucalyptus oil offered 95% protection from tiny parasites like mosquitoes for up to 3 hours. The reason behind the effective performance of lemon eucalyptus oil is the main ingredient present called citronella which constitutes 85% of the mixture. As per the findings of the cleaning and cosmetic industry, lemon eucalyptus oil can repel yellow fever mosquitoes and malaria-carrying mosquitoes. How to use it?   If you're looking to repel mosquitoes with this natural solution, all you need to do is create a mixture by mixing 1 part of lemon eucalyptus oil with 10 parts of witch hazel or sunflower oil. Do not use this mixture on children below 3 years old. Lavender The fragrance of crushed lavender flowers can repel adult mosquitoes naturally, states a study carried out on the subject in 2002. The best part about lavender is that it possesses antifungal, analgesic and antiseptic properties that not only prevents the attack of mosquitoes but also soothes your skin. Lavender is one of the best natural remedies to ward off mosquitoes, without causing any harm. How to use it?   If you're looking to repel mosquitoes with a plant like lavender, you need to grow the plant indoors or in an outdoor area or procure it from the market. Then, take a few flowers and crush them until you extract the oil. You can apply this oil to bite-sensitive areas such as arms and ankles. You can also apply the oil to your skin using a clean cloth. Cinnamon Oil   Besides being a great topping to your oatmeal or applesauce, cinnamon oil can help you get rid of itchy and red skin due to mosquito bites. It is proven that cinnamon oil can repel adult mosquitoes along with Asian tiger mosquitoes. How to use it?   To use cinnamon oil, you need to make a diluted solution of 1% oil. To create the solution, you can mix 24 drops or ¼ teaspoon of the oil in 4 ounces of water. The best way to use the oil is to directly apply it on your skin, clothing, around the home, onto plants and in areas that are prone to mosquito attacks. Pro-tip: Be sure to not use cinnamon oil on your skin in large quantities, as it can lead to unwanted skin irritability. Thyme Oil   Thyme Oil is one of the best natural mosquito repelling materials that can help you get rid of unwanted mosquitoes. The way to use the thyme leaves is by burning them. The burnt leaves emit a scent that offers 85% protection from mosquitoes for about 60-90 minutes. How to use it?   When it comes to using mosquito repellent like thyme oil, you can prepare the mixture as a homemade brew or a spray. Use 3-4 drops of thyme oil in one tablespoon of base oil like jojoba oil or olive oil to prepare a homemade brew. If you're looking to prepare a spray, all you need to do is mix 4-5 drops of thyme oil in 2 ounces of water. Neem Oil   Neem oil is one of the safest natural methods to keep the mosquitoes away from your body as well as your home. The effectiveness of neem oil will last approximately 3 hours and repel 70% of the mosquitoes. However, neem oil should not be used on the skin as it can lead to skin irritation. You can use the oil as a spray around your home. How to use it?   Using neem oil is extra easy! All you need to do is dilute 50-100 millilitres of neem oil in lotion, oil or water. When choosing neem oil for the preparation, make sure that it is cold-pressed and extra virgin kind. Citronella Another common and natural way to repel mosquitoes is by using citronella. It is made purely of fine herbs that make it one of the best mosquito repellents. You can even use citronella candles available in the market to get 50% extra protection from mosquitoes. If you're planning to use citronella, it's vital to prepare it in the right way. When you prepare the product rightly, it helps you to get extra protection from mosquitoes and for a longer time. On the other hand, if not prepared well, the mosquito repellent will evaporate quickly, leaving you without any protection. How to use it?   For people who wish to choose a safe and natural mosquito repellent that offers extra protection, you need to get this effective repellent. It is as strong as DEET but does not have any detrimental effects on the environment. Furthermore, many online stores sell citronella essential oil or candles to repel mosquitoes naturally. Tea Tree Oil   Compared to other oils in the market, tea tree oil is quite useful in repelling mosquitoes. Best known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil is an effective mosquito repellent. According to a field study, lotions and sprays that contain tea tree oil help you to keep your home protected from biting midges, bush flies and mosquitoes. How to use it?   To use tree tea oil, you need to dilute the oil with water. You can then spray the repellent around your patio to ensure that there are no mosquitoes in or around your home. For better results, you can add any type of neutral oil like soybean oil to the mixture. You can spray the mixture on your skin but be sure to test a small area to see how tree tea oil reacts with your skin. Read About Dengue Fever: Lemongrass Lemongrass contains geraniol, an effective, potent mosquito repellent. Available in bright colours and lemony flavours, lemon grass can effectively repel mosquitoes. The added advantage of using lemongrass as a natural mosquito repellent is that it has a pleasant aroma and unique ornamental architecture. How to use it?   To use the lemongrass as your tool against mosquitoes, all you need to do is to infuse lemongrass (finely minced) into water. You can then strain it to spray. If this isn't the way you wish to use the lemongrass, you can even purchase concentrated lemongrass oil and then dilute it. Pro-tip: Geraniol can irritate the eyes so be careful while using it. Soybean Oil   Products that are made from soybean oil can offer protection from mosquitoes. It is readily available and will help you to secure your space from the unwanted and harmful attacks of mosquitoes. How to use it?   For the best effects of soybean oil, it's highly recommended to add lemongrass oil to the soybean oil. The combination of both important oils will help you to safeguard your loved ones from different species of mosquitoes. Greek Catmint Oil   The pink and white flowers of the Nepeta Parnassica can help you to keep mosquitoes at bay. The oil that is extracted from its leaves makes the whole plant even more valuable. A recent study reveals that the oil that is extracted from catmint can repel mosquitoes effectively and naturally for more than 2-3 hours. What's even more, another study reveals that the oil is extra repellent and powerful as compared to DEET. How to use it?   The strong repellent can be made by crushing the leaves of the plant. Crush a few leaves to gather a small amount of aromatic oil from the plant and mix it with water. You can spray the mixture around your home to keep all the biting bugs at bay. Pro-tip: The scent may keep mosquitoes away but will attracts cats.  Should You Choose Natural Mosquito Repellents To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes?   Mosquitoes can, unfortunately, lead to numerous types of problems as they are carriers of thousands of germs. However, getting rid of mosquitoes with the help of artificial mosquito repellent can affect the environment negatively. That is why it's vital to choose to repel mosquitoes naturally. Still not sure about why natural is the way to go during mosquito repulsion? Keep reading! Chemical Free - As natural mosquito repellents do not have any harmful substance in them, this ensures that the repellent you use won't harm the environment. The chemical-free nature of the repellent will help you to keep one's family protected and safe not only from the harsh chemicals but also from the biting mosquitoes. No Skin Reaction - Natural mosquito repellents are made from plants that are safe. Thus, applying the mixture of such plants to your skin won't lead to any kind of rashes, itchiness or redness. However, be sure to test a small patch of skin to see how your skin reacts to different natural repellents and choose what works best for you. Safe For Kids - DEET when used even in small quantities can harm the safety of your kids. This is where natural mosquito repellents come in. Applying safe and natural mosquito repellents on the skin of children won't harm them. Thus, you can be rest assured that your kids are safe and secure from unwanted skin reactions as well as mosquito bites. Soothing Aroma - When you use the right mosquito repellent, you can get numerous benefits that contribute way beyond just keeping mosquitoes away. The right natural repellent such as lemon grass will help your body calm down and relieve stress. Effective Repellents - Despite being free of chemicals and harmful substances, some of the natural repellents are stronger as compared to DEET and other synthetic repellents. When it comes to warding off mosquitoes, there is nothing better than opting for natural repellents. When you repel mosquitoes naturally, it helps you not only protect your family from the blood suckers but also assist you in contributing to the environment. Final Thoughts   There are plenty of ways by which you can protect yourself from disease-spreading mosquitoes. Grow these natural repellent plants in your yard to witness how effectively they can help you keep mosquitoes away from your home. Planting natural mosquito repellents is quite important in homes that have pets and kids. Some of the repellents like lemongrass, thyme and lavender can help you get rid of mosquitoes and the germs they carry. You can even use them to cook and prepare delicious food items. The added advantage of choosing plants as mosquito repellent is that they're good for home decor too. You can plant some of the mosquito repelling plants and keep them around your home area to enhance its look and keep your home safe. As some different researches and resources prove the efficiency of natural repellents, many homeowners are choosing natural ways to deal with these flying parasites. Choosing natural techniques is even more important when you have old aged people, kids or pets in your house. Experimenting with different natural mosquito repellents is the best way to prevent mosquito bites and keep them away from your loved ones.