Like every year, mosquitoes are a real scourge during the summer. There are all kinds of mosquito repellents on the market, but these are often very chemical. Free Dom gives you some natural advice and grandmother’s tricks to get rid of mosquitoes, as well as to relieve possible bites.

They to get rid of mosquitoes, there are several methods. You can opt for mosquito nets, mosquito traps, or even fans, as well as plants that scare them away, such as lemongrass, lavender, or geraniums.

• Mosquito bites: why should they be avoided?

Present for more than 400 million years, mosquitoes are not our best friends. If most of the time, a mosquito bite has no real impact on health, it can sometimes cause illnesses and allergies.

Indeed, it has already happened that some people have died from mosquito bites. However, rest assured, this is extremely rare. It is still advisable to do your best to protect yourself against these little beasts. They can carry diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile fever, etc., and transmit them to humans very easily with a simple bite. The tiger mosquito, on the other hand, transmits more of the chikungunya virus. Having arrived on metropolitan soil a few years ago, it is better to take the lead and slow down the chain of transmission of the disease.

In addition, some allergic reactions may occur following the bites. Skin irritation develops due to mosquito saliva, which normally creates a simple red bump.

• What attracts mosquitoes?

This 2.5-milligram heavy insect is attracted primarily by the carbon dioxide and lactic acid we give off. It has been shown that people who are tall or who move a lot produce more CO2. Sweating, on the other hand, produces more lactic acid, the cute sin of these little beasts. They are therefore more likely to attract mosquitoes.

Also, the infrared radiation emitted by hot bodies allows these insects to find their prey with sight.

Also, remember that smelly feet strongly attract mosquitoes. So be sure to wash them very often, and don’t leave your dirty socks lying around!

Finally, a study carried out by the American Association AMCA (go to this site) has proven that mosquito activity is increased by 500% on full moon evenings. So be sure to anticipate that night with means of protection.

• The mosquito net: a major and effective ally against mosquitoes

It is the most effective mosquito repellent solution to get rid of mosquitoes. Admittedly, the decoration of your home could suffer from it, but you can have it on your windows as well as around your bed. The goal is to avoid getting bitten in the middle of the night or during the day. The advantage of the mosquito net on the windows is to be able to ventilate your accommodation without taking the risk of seeing mosquitoes land. There are several kinds: the flexible panel mosquito net, the roll-up mosquito net, the fixed frame mosquito net, the mobile bed mosquito net, etc.

For your baby, prefer the mosquito net solution to another. Indeed, it is not recommended to apply products, even essential oils, on their fragile and sensitive skin. It is therefore preferable to opt for this system.

This alternative to chemical insecticides is therefore to be chosen without moderation! However, try to limit the use of light when your windows are open. This attracts them!

• The fan: an ally to get rid of mosquitoes

As mentioned before, we attract mosquitoes because of the carbon dioxide and acids our bodies produce. The wind produced by the fan makes it possible to regulate and eliminate these odors detectable by the insect.

Also, you have to think that the mosquito is a very small insect that is no match for our big fans. If you put it near you during a meal or your night, you will no longer be bothered by mosquitoes.

Beware, however, of foggers to get rid of mosquitoes, they often use chemicals and have not proven their effectiveness. In addition, they attack mosquitoes but also populations of beneficial insects.

• Mosquito traps: high-performance devices

In recent years, a new way to fight against mosquitoes has emerged: traps. These electrical devices are intended to capture and kill these insects. Some traps even claim to reduce the local mosquito population by e to the removal of part of the laying females.

Several types exist. Some are based on suction by a propeller and capture in a net, others on a trap via the adhesion of the mosquito to a sticky surface, or even on elimination by electric shock.

How do they attract them? They release carbon dioxide, an element that mosquitoes like so much in humans. Thanks to CO2 cylinders, human exhalation is imitated. It is also thanks to this system that other insects, such as moths, are not affected by the trap.

Moreover, it is preferable not to use only mosquito traps, but rather all the tips listed in this article, to maximize the chances of scaring them away.

• Plants: natural anti-mosquito remedy

We know that plants have many powers and for many pathologies and subjects. The smell of certain plants scares away mosquitoes. It is therefore relevant to use them without limits!

• Lemongrass, a plant with powers to get rid of mosquitoes

The most natural remedy for getting rid of mosquitoes, citronella is excellent for scaring them away thanks to the smell it gives off. The smell titillates the nervous system of mosquitoes and it scares them away.

You can put the plant near your windows, or your bed if you wish. However, lemongrass essential oil offers a concentrate of citronellol and geraniol, and it is the latter that has an active ingredient that acts against mosquitoes. If you are not comfortable with putting essential oil directly on you, you can soak a cotton ball and place it on your bedside table.

Also, you can find lemongrass in the form of sprays, creams, or scented candles. It is the smoke from these that will help keep mosquitoes away.

• For an increased effect of lemongrass, it is therefore relevant to combine its different forms.

• The smell of basil to scare away these insects

Did you know that mosquitoes hate the smell of basil? These delicious leaves, friends of your salads in summer, can also be useful against insects.

Indeed, although this method is less known, it remains effective. You can start by placing pots of basil on your windowsills, ideally on those where the sun shines.

However, the idea is to get basil essential oil, which you dilute in water. Spray this mixture on your fabrics or in the air to drive away these harmful insects.

• Rub your body with tomato leaves to get rid of mosquitoes

Another option to get rid of mosquitoes is tomato leaves! To be quiet during your meal or your night, you can crush and rub the tomato leaves on your body. Unfortunately, this alternative is only possible if you have a vegetable garden. Indeed, tomatoes sold in supermarkets generally no longer have their leaves. If you wish, you can pick your vegetables from a market gardener who offers them.

• Set up a trap to get rid of mosquitoes

You can affix homemade mosquito traps in several corners of your home. For this DIY, you need few ingredients: brown sugar (and not white sugar because it is too refined), brewer’s yeast, hot water and an empty plastic bottle.

Why is this trap infallible? With the fermentation of sugar and yeast, the mosquito, stuck in the bottle, will fall into the syrup and will not be able to come out.

• Follow these steps to easily create your trap:
• Cut a plastic bottle in half down the middle. Prefer very large bottles
• In a saucepan pour 200 ml of water and boil it
• In this same pan, add 50g of brown sugar and wait until it is completely dissolved
• Let the syrup cool well.
• In the lower part of the bottle, pour the syrup
• Without mixing everything, add 1g of brewer’s yeast
• Take the top part of the bottle and with the neck down, fit the two parts
• The syrup should be changed every 2 or 3 weeks to provide optimal effectiveness.

• How to relieve a mosquito bite?

If, unfortunately, a few mosquitoes have managed to sneak past all your precautionary methods and you have been bitten, there are a few tricks to relieve the bites.

• Vinegar to soothe mosquito bites

If you want to avoid getting bitten or soothe an itchy mosquito pimple, you can also use vinegar. Thanks to its antiseptic properties, vinegar is an ideal home remedy to facilitate wound healing and soothe itching. Do not hesitate to apply organic or cider vinegar using a compress on the pimple and leave to act for a few minutes.

• Use essential oils against mosquito bites

From the age of 7, you can put drops of certain essential oils on the bites to relieve them. If your bite is on an area where the skin is thin and sensitive, such as the face or the neck, try pouring a drop on another part of the body beforehand to see if you have any bad reaction. Thanks to their power, they reduce inflammation, soothe itching and allow healing. Be careful, however, because not all essential oils provide these benefits. Prefer those of lavender, eucalyptus or geranium.

• Lavender, an anti-inflammatory to mosquito bites

Spike lavender oil is a very good solution to soothe and disinfect a mosquito bite. Indeed, anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious, its powers make it an ally against small red bumps. To do this, apply a few drops on it and repeat the operation several times until the bite is no longer itchy.

• Lemon eucalyptus essential oil to get rid of mosquitoes

Thanks to its major component, citronellal, lemon eucalyptus essential oil has strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Inexpensive, this product is perfect against stings. For optimal effectiveness, remember to renew the application every 3 or 4 hours.

Also, beyond benefiting from the above benefits, you can use it after a sports session, against osteoarthritis or tendonitis.

• Blue chamomile essential oil

Perfect for putting an end to irritation, blue chamomile essential oil, also called Tansy, recognizable by its beautiful blue color, is ideal for avoiding scratching. Soothing, calming and anti-inflammatory, this oil has a strong smell and will reduce the redness associated with a mosquito bite, thanks to its chamazulene content.