Mosquitoes are the world’s biggest killers as they transmit dangerous viruses that cause diseases like malaria, dengue, zika, encephalitis, filariasis, yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya etc. A number of chemical based products available in the market promise protection from these deadly flies but the biggest drawback of these products is they are unsafe for health and environment. After long use, the mosquitoes tend to become resistant to these chemicals making these products ineffective. Home remedies to kill or repel mosquitoes are the safest and foolproof techniques. They are not only inexpensive but easily available.
Let us look at some top natural products to eliminate mosquitoes.
Home Remedies to Repel Mosquitoes:
Mosquitoes are attracted to us by our scent, the carbon dioxide we release, the bacteria on our skin, the smell and compounds in our sweat etc. Home remedies constitute simple ingredients available at home, but they provide the most effective results and without any side effects. Natural mosquito repellents are the best option during outdoor activities like camping, hiking etc. Let us look at some top natural remedies:
Garlic Juice | Apple Cider Vinegar | Camphor | Citronella Oil and Candle | Dish Soap and Water | Neem Oil | Herbal Plants | Vodka Spray | Sugar and Yeast | Lemon
1. Garlic Juice:
The strong pungent smell of garlic repels mosquitoes very effectively. This can be an immediate solution to the mosquito problem.
Ingredients:
- A few garlic cloves.
- Two cups of water.
How to Prepare:
- Crush the garlic cloves and boil them in the water.
- Boil the water until the quantity of water becomes half.
- Let the water cool down.
- Strain the garlic water and collect it in a spray bottle.
Directions of Use:
- Spray this garlic water around your room properly.
- You can also spray this garlic water on your light bulbs, indoors or outdoors, the heat of the light bulbs spread the scent of the garlic around repelling mosquitoes and other insects and bugs.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Mosquitoes are highly repelled by the smell of vinegar making apple cider vinegar a very effective mosquito repellent. It is very useful in killing mosquito larvae breeding in water bodies. You can also apply this vinegar on your body to repel these bugs quickly and reduce mosquito bites instantly.
Ingredients:
- One cup apple cider vinegar.
- One cup of water.
- Essential oil of your choice (optional).
How to Prepare:
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Collect the mixture in a spray bottle.
Directions of Use:
- Spray this mixture around your house properly.
- Undiluted apple cider vinegar can be sprayed on stagnant water and other wet areas around the house that may house mosquito larvae.
- Raw and undiluted apple cider vinegar can be rubbed on the skin to repel mosquitoes.
Precautions:
- Check for sensitivity before applying apple cider vinegar on skin.
See Also: Natural Remedies For Bee Stings
3. Camphor:
Camphor is one of the best natural mosquito repellants and really works effectively. It not only kills mosquitoes but also improves the quality of the air inside the house. Camphor helps decrease mosquito bites very well.
Ingredients:
- Camphor, as required.
How to Prepare:
- Take some camphor in a small bowl.
Directions of Use:
- Light the camphor.
- Close all the doors and windows of the room.
- Leave the room for at least half an hour.
4. Citronella Oil and Candle:
Citronella is a very strong essential oil that works very well in preventing mosquitoes. This oil is also used in many commercial mosquito repellants. Citronella oil can be applied on the skin to repel these bugs when outdoors. Candles infused with citronella oil are very strong mosquito repellants at home and one of the best ways of preventing mosquitoes.
Ingredients:
- Citronella essential oil.
- Carrier oils like sesame oil, coconut oil, olive oil etc.
- Citronella infused candle.
How to Prepare:
- Mix five drops of citronella essential oil and the carrier oil thoroughly.
- Citronella infused candle.
Directions of Use:
- Burn citronella infused candle in the room to expel mosquitoes from the room.
- Rub the mixture of citronella oil and carrier oil on the skin to repel mosquitoes, especially effective when outdoors.
5. Dish Washer Spray:
Mixing some herbs with dishwasher has surprisingly found to be one of the best cures for mosquito problem. Dishwasher diluted in water and placed near mosquito breeding areas has shown results of killing the larvae.
Ingredients:
- One tablespoon of a liquid dish washer or dish soap.
- Four teaspoons of cayenne pepper.
- One small onion.
- One garlic clove.
- Four cups of water.
How to Prepare:
- Crush the onion and garlic in a blender and strain the extract.
- Mix the onion and garlic extract with the rest of the ingredients.
- Collect this mixture in a spray bottle.
Directions of Use:
- Spray this mixture in your home.
See Also: Easy Remedies For Mosquito Bites
6. Neem Oil:
It has high in anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and antiprotozoal properties. Neem is a natural repellant for most organisms and bugs, especially mosquitoes. Cold pressed, and extra virgin neem oil is more effective than the other types. Applying neem oil on the body is found to keep mosquitoes at bay for at least 3 hours giving us relief from these blood sucking creatures.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons of neem oil.
- Four tablespoons of coconut oil.
How to Prepare:
- Mix neem oil and coconut oil thoroughly.
Directions of Use:
- Apply the oil mixture on the exposed parts of the body.
7. Herbal Plants:
Certain herbal plants have very powerful mosquito repellant properties, growing such plants in the garden or yard help repel mosquitoes, flies and other bugs naturally from your garden and home. Lemongrass, mint, lemon thyme, rosemary, basil, lavender are some top plants for keeping off mosquitoes.
Ingredients:
- Saplings of plants like lavender, lemongrass, mint, basil, lemon thyme etc.
- Some pots to place the plants.
- Potting soil.
How to Prepare:
- Fill the pots with the potting soil.
- Plant the sapling in the pots.
- Water.
Directions of Use:
- Place the pots in areas around your home where mosquitoes are most likely to breed or inhabit.
- Water and maintain the plants as needed.
8. Vodka Spray:
Alcohol repels mosquitoes and other bugs like no other. Mosquitoes highly detest the smell of alcohol, and it is one of the best homemade ingredients for keeping mosquitoes away.
Ingredients:
- Four tablespoon vodka.
- 20 drops of any essential oil like eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary etc.
How to Prepare:
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
- Collect the mixture in a spray bottle.
Directions of Use:
- Spray the mixture in the room thoroughly.
9. Sugar and Yeast Method:
Mosquitoes are attracted to us by the carbon dioxide we exhale. Sugar and yeast mixed with water create carbon dioxide trail which attracts these bugs and traps them. This solution works very effectively in reducing mosquito problem and one of the best household remedies in lowering mosquito problem.
Ingredients:
- One cup of warm water.
- One fourth cup brown sugar.
- One gram of yeast.
- One empty plastic bottle with a funnel like opening.
How to Prepare:
- Cut the plastic bottle in half.
- Mix the yeast, sugar and water together.
- Pour this mixture in the lower half of the bottle.
- Invert the upper half of the bottle and place it over the lower half.
- Tape the two pieces together.
Directions of Use:
- Keep this bottle in your room.
- The mosquitoes get attracted by the carbon dioxide and enter the bottle through the funnel.
- They get trapped inside and die by drowning in the water.
- Change the water as and when needed.
See Also: Get Rid Of Bed Bugs With Home Remedies
10. Lemon:
Cloves and lemon make a very effective and potent mosquito repellant. Mosquitoes are highly repelled by the smell of citrus and cloves.
Ingredients:
- One fresh lemon.
- A handful of cloves.
How to Prepare:
- Cut the lemon in half.
- Stick the cloves on the inner flesh of the lemon in both halves.
Directions of Use:
- Place these lemons in your room.
Additional Tips to Repel or Control Mosquitoes
Let us look at some additional methods of repelling or killing these pesty flies:
- Mosquito rackets are very popular instruments for killing mosquitoes without using any chemicals. These rackets are electronic devices that produce electric sparks in along their nets which kill the mosquitoes. These rackets are easily available in the Indian market.
- The most efficient solution for keeping mosquitoes off your homes is by installing mesh screens to your windows and doors. You can enjoy the fresh air without letting the mosquitoes in.
- Bug zappers also are a very effective solution for repelling mosquitoes. These electric devices contain a light source that attracts mosquitoes which get killed by electrocution when they enter the electric grid.
- Mosquitoes hide in the plants during the day. Having too many plants around also attract them. Spraying garlic water on these plants will keep them away.
- Standing water is the only breeding place for mosquitoes. They lay their eggs in the water. The larvae also breed in standing water. Getting rid of all standing water prevents mosquitoes from breeding.
With these home remedies to kill mosquitoes, saying good bye to mosquitoes is quite easy. Keeping your surroundings clean and closing the windows and doors as soon as night falls is one of the best practices to keep mosquitoes away. If you are outdoors, avoid dark coloured clothes like black and blue, which attract mosquitoes. Strong perfumes and scents also attract many bugs and mosquitoes, so it is best to avoid them when outdoors. It is vital to protect ourselves from these creatures to avoid unwanted illnesses.
FAQs:
1. What Attracts Mosquitoes to Our Body?
Our body produces many acids and organic compounds. Carbon dioxide is produced as a result of many metabolic activities in the body and is released when we breathe out. Mosquitoes are strongly attracted to carbon dioxide and follow us as we leave a trail of this gas. They are also attracted to ammonia and uric acid that we release through our sweat. Lactic acid is one more compound that attracts these creatures very much. Our bodies produce lactic acid while breaking down food. Several other compounds produced by our bodies like estradiol and acetone also attract mosquitoes.
2. Are Mosquitoes Attracted to a Particular Blood Type?
Mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant fluids for survival; blood is not a source of their nourishment. But female mosquitoes need the protein in the blood to develop their eggs; hence only female mosquitoes bite. Studies have found that mosquitoes prefer type O blood the most, then comes type B. Type A is their last preference. If you are wondering why mosquitoes bite you more than your neighbor, then your blood type must be the culprit.
3. Does Consuming Alcohol Attract You to Mosquitoes?
Unfortunately, this is not a myth. Consuming as little as a can of beer can get mosquitoes swarming towards you. This is because alcohol increases the body temperature and warmer bodies are an attractive target to mosquitoes.
