Summer is a wonderful time for vacations and country trips. winter moping ends, the sun shines brightly in the window, filling with energy and happiness. The city dwellers are looking forward to this season, and even mosquito bites do not spoil anyone's mood, but they are annoying.
How to protect yourself from these insects, what can be dangerous such pests, how to protect yourself at home and whether there is the best mosquitoes repellent - let's talk in this article.
To understand how to combat mosquitoes in the house, let's understand the dangers of their bites and where you can run into bloodsuckers.
How mosquitoes get into the house. How to get rid of mosquitoes and what is the best mosquitoes repellent?
The old legend that mosquitoes fly to the light is wrong, otherwise they would spend all their time under the lamp like moths. The little "vampires" sense their "prey" by the heat. They sense the infrared radiation emanating from a person or animal on a special level. And in the room insects appear more often in the summertime.
Realizing that it is possible to eat here, the mosquito selects the victim by the smell of sweat, or more precisely by its component - lactic acid. The insect flies to the light for the same reason: the infrared vision in the dark captures a little heat from a lamp or stove - so the bloodsuckers get into our rooms and houses.
Allergy to mosquito bites is the most common thing these insects can cause, after the usual discomfort and scratching, of course. Less commonly, mosquitoes are carriers of malaria, yellow fever and all kinds of viruses. That's why we advise you to buy a mosquito repellent so you don't have problems!
Mosquito repellent at home
How to get rid of mosquitoes at home? Today, there are many products that work on flying pests. Fumigants, products that act on the basis of smoke, are available for use in the room.
One such means is an antimosquito coil. Its principle of operation is quite simple: one end of the coil is lit, and it gradually melts, releasing smoke. The substances contained in the smoke block the respiratory system of insects and kill them.
The next group of preparations is electro fumigators. Special devices that operate from the mains. They use either a special plate or gel, which evaporates from heating and releases into the air substances that kill mosquitoes.
The main disadvantage of this group of protection means is a small range. The most famous brands can provide safety in rooms not more than 12 m2 .
To avoid useless work in the apartment, use either several fumigators and fumigators, or more powerful models.
Proper use of mosquito repellents is important:
- Turn on or light 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 beneficial, and it is more pleasant to sleep with the window open and without itchy "neighbors," but it is undesirable to turn on the product all night and next to the sleeper. In no case should the product be used near children, nursing or pregnant women.
Many people become allergic to the use of such remedies. To avoid this, you can resort to an alternative - a home remedy against mosquitoes, which is made according to the principles of traditional medicine.
Mosquito repellent - folk remedies.
It is much easier for a person to use time-tested substances to protect his body. Especially if he consumes them as food.
For this reason, protection from bloodsuckers in the apartment will be not only useful, but in some cases even pleasant. Let's figure out how to save ourselves from mosquitoes with folk methods.
Carnation
Essential oils and common condiments, the things that mosquitoes are afraid of, form the basis of protection against bloodsuckers. For example, cloves, both dry and in oil form, are one of the best mosquito repellents.
If you have clove buds, pour about five grams into hot water, let infuse for 15-20 minutes, and apply to your skin with a sprayer.
The same list could include:
- lavender;
- melissa;
- eucalyptus;
- mint;
- basil
If the idea of applying essential oil to your skin doesn't appeal to you, there are other ways out. 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 put it in a saucer by the headboard. And the sleep will be strong, and no one will disturb. If you have an aroma lamp - just add oil to it.
You can use cloves in combination with lemon as a fumigator. Cut a lemon in two, insert buds of cloves inside and put the resulting dish near a bed or a window. You will associate the pleasant smell with the New Year's holidays. But bloodsuckers will not like it.
Vanillin
The pleasant smell of vanilla has long been an attribute of fresh baked goods. But mosquitoes and pesky gnats 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 your skin - you will get a pleasant smell of skin as a bonus.
You can also mix 40-60 grams of vanillin powder with baby cream and apply after stirring thoroughly to make the mosquito repellent even better!
Valerian root
Another mosquito repellent is a decoction of valerian roots. To prepare it, you need to crush valerian root, put it in a saucepan and pour into it one and a half liters of water. Then place on the stove and bring to a boil.
Then pour the remedy into an airtight container and insist for an hour. For better use, strain the decoction and let it cool. Apply with a cotton swab or sprayer to the skin.
Of the disadvantages: there may be problems with pets - you will get rid of bloodsuckers, but it will be harder to hide from the cat's attention.
The same effect as valerian is produced by the roots of wormwood and wheatgrass. And cats are indifferent to them.
How to protect your home from mosquitoes. The best mosquito repellent!
The fight against flying parasites with folk remedies is so diverse that it will keep not only you but also your apartment safe. Let's find out what repels mosquitoes and what mosquito repellent is more effective!
Basil
By planting this effective plant under your windows or door or by putting it by the window inside, you will keep mosquitoes away. In addition, the smell of basil also scares away flies.
The convenience of this option is the great adaptability of the plant: it can grow even in hot summers without much trouble. The smell of basil is pleasant to humans, and the appearance is quite beautiful.
Lavender
The same effect as basil has lavender. Simply place it in areas where insects like mosquitoes, butterflies and moths are suspected and forget about their invasion.
Mint
Peppermint is the leader in repelling insects and rodents. Ants, flies, fleas, mosquitoes and mice will forever forget their way to your home if you put dried mint on your windowsill.
Do not use bog mint, as the plant is poisonous.
Elderberry
Elderberry twigs are also effective in repelling mosquitoes. However, 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.
More often than not, mosquitoes enter rooms through open windows, since during the hot season the only way to freshen up the room is to ventilate. To correct this situation, there are several possible ways of protection, such as mosquito nets, but it does not give a hundred percent guarantee, because the insects can penetrate even in a small gap, folding their wings.
It is also possible to avoid opening windows at all, such as buying a breezer. This device constantly supplies fresh air and has a number of associated benefits: silent operation, the ability to set the desired temperature and three air purification filters. Simply set the breezer to your preferred mode of operation, close the windows, and the risk of insects is reduced to zero.
Bitten by a mosquito: What to do?
If you can't get rid of the itching after a mosquito bite, a solution of baking soda, manganese or ammonia will help. Put half a teaspoon in a glass of warm water, stir it thoroughly and apply it to the site of interaction with the insect.
A leaf of plantain, mint, bird cherry or parsley attached to the place of the bite also works well. If vegetation is not at hand, use kefir or sour milk.
Other mosquito repellents
To finally understand the protection against bloodsuckers, let's analyze the modern methods of exposure to them.
Sound Attack. Ultrasonic mosquito repellent!
Ultrasonic mosquito repellent works according to the following principle:
- The device emits the alarming squeak of a male mosquito.
- Upon hearing it, the female flies away from the place.
- Your home is protected.
Manufacturers of such units promise from one and a half to thirty meters clean zone from insects. At the same time, the human ear does not hear anything, that is, the device is absolutely silent. This is a plus.
On the downside: There is no universal signal for mosquitoes, because each one beeps in its own range. This means that if some bloodsuckers don't get into your house, it's far from a hundred percent.
In addition, mosquitoes can barely hear - they are oriented, as we have already noted, by heat and sweat. Carbon dioxide exhaled by humans also plays the role of a guide.
High Voltage Bug Zapper with UV Lamp
The principle of these high voltage bug zapper with uv lamp is ultraviolet light, which serves as bait for insects. The mosquitoes die from contact with the energized metal grid. The area of action is from 20 to 90 meters.
Of the minuses: such a lamp is unlikely to save you from contact with flying parasites, because they do not like the light and actively avoid it. Even the heat radiated by such a "luminary" will not attract insects, because it does not give any carbon dioxide or sweat, so your apartment will still receive uninvited guests. But to rid you of the presence of butterflies, flies and moths lamps can easily.
The best mosquito repellent
To summarize, let's deal with the question: is there a better mosquito repellent? According to Internet surveys, fumigators are used by 35% of respondents, despite the fact that the apartment is filled with the smell of chemicals.
This can be explained by the ease of use and accessibility: there is no need to wait and look for ingredients. This is the reason why the folk methods are on the last line, but this does not mean that they are less effective.
It is just that not all city dwellers have time to prepare infusions and herbal decoctions in the modern rhythm of life. In addition, not everywhere you can get the ingredients.
Sprays and ointments are used by about a quarter of respondents. Another quarter treats mosquitoes with humor: “They don't bite me”.
Whatever the case, the best mosquito repellent is the one that works for you. Don't be afraid to try different methods, and your apartment will become an impregnable fortress for flying "vampires".