Mosquitoes can become a problem in your home. Not only are they annoying because of the buzz they emit, but their bite can transmit dangerous diseases such as dengue, zika and chikungunya.
There are plenty of commercial repellents on the market, but they contain chemicals that can be harmful to some people and their pets. In addition, many of them are designed to kill mosquitoes, and on our site we want to help you keep them away without going to this extreme, since it is a cruel and unnecessary act. Do you want to know how to drive away mosquitoes? Then you can't miss this article with natural and non-harmful methods, which will allow you to learn how to ward off mosquitoes without killing them!
Why are there so many mosquitoes in my house?
Mosquitoes can be a nuisance and dangerous presence in the home, carrying disease and painful bites. Have you ever wondered why they appear? Some factors contribute to this:
- The weather. A humid but hot environment, like the one that exists in tropical countries, is conducive to the development of mosquitoes.
- Rains. Mosquitoes take advantage of the rainy season to reproduce, since puddles are created where they lay their eggs.
- Stagnant water. Perhaps the rainy season has not arrived in your country, but in your house there are containers with stagnant water or areas with stagnant water, these become ideal foci for the reproduction of mosquitoes.
Are you interested in keeping mosquitoes away from your house? There are several natural remedies that you can apply to scare them away without killing them.
How to keep mosquitoes away from your house?
Have you ever wondered how to repel mosquitoes? If what you are interested in is applying home remedies that scare them away without this implying risk to your he alth, that of your pets or that of the mosquitoes themselves, pay attention to the following methods.
Scented candles or incense
Scented candles and incense are a good way to repel mosquitoes naturally. Whether to light them inside the house or when you enjoy a moment of relaxation in your garden, we recommend those with aroma of lemon, citronella, mint and orange Of course, keep in mind that most dogs hate the citrus smell of industrial products like these (candles, incense, oils…) because they are much more intense than those emitted by fresh fruits, so we advise you to place these products away from its reach, in areas frequented by mosquitoes but that are not at the height of your dog's snout.
Aromatic plants
Aromatic plants will not only bring delicious smells to your home, they will also serve to repel mosquitoes. We recommend placing flowerpots with basil, mint, rosemary or eucalyptus plants near the windows, the smell will keep those annoying insects away.
How to drive away mosquitoes from the garden? Plant these same aromatic plants and you will drive them away quickly. In addition, you can also plant calendula plants in the garden.
Now, if you live with cats and they have access to the garden, keep in mind that some of these plants are harmful to them if they ingest them, such as eucalyptus, so check the list of toxic plants first for cats.
Essential oils
Essential oils have many uses: they are ideal for the skin, they relax, aromatize and can also repel mosquitoes. If you want to drive them away from your house or garden, soak several cotton balls with an essential oil and place them in a jar. Then, place that jar near windows or at the entrances to your garden.
Recommended oils for this are Lemon, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Lavender, Rosemary, Eucalyptus or Almond. Remember to soak the ball of cotton every three days approximately, as the smell is easily lost.
Natural mosquito repellent with lemon
This is a simple method that you can apply to different rooms in the house: Cut half a slice of a lemon and embed several cloves in it. Then, place this natural mosquito repellent in all areas of the home.
If you don't have lemon, you can prepare this same mosquito repellent with orange or any other citrus fruit, since the effects are the same and, therefore, the results are the same. Of course, keep in mind that if you live with dogs or cats you should place the remedy far from their reach.
Homemade mosquito repellent with vinegar
The smell of vinegar is unpleasant for mosquitoes, so it is an excellent natural repellent. This remedy is very simple: you just have to fill half a glass with water and add ¼ cup of vinegarMix and place natural mosquito repellant in every room, preferably near windows.
Vinegar is often another unpleasant scent for dogs, so if you can place the remedy in places your furry friend won't have access to, all the better.
How do I prevent mosquitoes from biting me?
It's a fact, some people “attract” mosquitoes more than others. This is not a myth, there are several reasons why certain people get more bites:
- Blood type. People with type O blood are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes.
- Sweat. Mosquitoes are attracted to the compounds that are released with sweat, so people who sweat a lot are bitten more often.
- Pregnancy. Due to increased body temperature, pregnant women attract mosquitoes.
- Carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is expelled during breathing and is attractive to mosquitoes, so the higher the emissions (for example, when you exercise) the more likely they are to come to you.
Now, if you meet any of these characteristics, surely you're tired of saying "how do I avoid being bitten by mosquitoes?". Here are several ways to repel them:
Watch what you use
Bright or fluorescent colors attract mosquitoes (just like light), so it's best to avoid using them. Similarly, sweet-toned perfumes can also draw them towards you, so we recommend choosing other scents.
We also suggest eating foods rich in vitamin C and B, since mosquitoes find the aroma that your sweat gives off repellent.
Essential oils
Essential oils not only keep mosquitoes away from your home, they can also keep them off your skin. Make a simple repellent by mixing 20 drops of citronella, peppermint, lemon, lavender or cinnamon oil with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Simply apply this remedy directly to your skin.
Vinegar and citronella
Another effective repellent against mosquitoes can be made with any type of vinegar and citronella essence. You only have to mix half a glass of vinegar and 20 drops of citronella essence. Then, rub your skin with the mixture and remember to repeat the process every hour.
Use mosquito nets
Mosquito nets are a simple and inexpensive way to keep mosquitoes out of your home. You can place them on the beds of all family members or even install the screens on the windows, this way they won't even be able to enter. This method is suitable if you have children at home and you prefer not to apply commercial or homemade repellents to them.
How to prevent mosquitoes from biting my dog or cat?
When it comes to repelling mosquitoes, you should think not only about the people, but also about the animals that live with you. Whether you have a dog or a cat, they also suffer from annoying mosquito bites. Likewise, their bite can transmit serious diseases, such as leishmaniasis, which is spread by a mosquito.
Do you need to know how to prevent mosquitoes from biting your dog or cat? Below we share the best home remedies so that mosquitoes do not bite dogs and cats:
Eucalyptus oil
Although dogs and cats don't like the smell of essential oils, they are a good option for applying natural mosquito repellentsThis is very simple, you just have to rub a few drops of eucalyptus oil on your pet's fur, it will help keep mosquitoes at bay.
Remember that you must not allow the dog or cat to lick itself when you have just applied the oil, since ingesting it could cause disorders gastrointestinal. So stay tuned until the product has dried.
Chamomile water
The smell of chamomile flowers is annoying to mosquitoes, so you can gather a cup of these flowers and make a tea with them. When you notice that the water is yellow and smells, spray your dog or cat with it. This natural remedy can also be applied to children and adults. In addition, chamomile is not toxic for these animals, so if they lick it, nothing will happen.
Orange and cloves
This is the same remedy that we explain to you to repel mosquitoes from your house, you just have to cut half an orange and embed cloves in it. Since you want it to serve to prevent mosquitoes from biting your dog or cat, place the orange near their bed or in the spaces where they usually rest to keep insects away. Of course, if you notice that the smell bothers him, try to place him in a part of the room a little further away so that he can rest peacefully.
Garlic
The smell of garlic is unpleasant for mosquitoes, take advantage of this to protect your dog or cat from them. Cut 3 or 4 cloves of garlic and let them marinate in water for two hours. After this time, you will have an excellent natural repellent that you can use to spray the spaces that your pet usually uses.
Mosquito net
A mosquito net is also a good option to protect your animals from mosquitoes. You can install it on nearby windows where you put their bed, and even if you have a dog or cat that sleeps in a kennel or animal carrier, you can cover them with a mosquito net at night.
How to eliminate fruit midges?
Mosquitoes or fruit flies can be very annoying, they land on your food and, when they start to feed on it, it becomes useless for you. Are you interested in knowing how to eliminate fruit midges? Here are some natural remedies!
Essential oils and water
This is another home remedy in which essential oils are the protagonists. You'll need orange, lemon, and citronella essential oil Pour 20 drops into a spray container and add two cups of hot water. Shake well and you will have your natural repellent ready.
Spray the fruit mosquito repellent on kitchen surfaces, garden tables and spaces where you usually see them, it will quickly and without damaging them.
Deepen the cleaning of your home
This is a preventive measure, it will help you prevent fruit flies from settling in your home.
- Clean all kitchen surfaces after preparing your food.
- Dispose of garbage in closed bags.
- Don't let water stand in the pots of your plants.
- Do not leave food or fruit out in the open.
- Clean up any spilled juice or other liquid immediately.
How to keep mosquitoes away from the light?
Surely it has happened to you that you try to rest quietly on your terrace, but the mosquitoes gather around the lamp or light that you use. If you want to know how to keep mosquitoes away from the light and, more importantly, how to keep mosquitoes away from the garden, follow these simple tips.
Install LED lamps
Change all your light bulbs for LED lamps will not only help you save energy, you will also repel mosquitoes, since ordinary light bulbs they emit an infrared light invisible to humans, but attractive to insects.
Insect Light Bulbs
There are anti-insect bulbs on the market whose light spectrum cannot be perceived by mosquitoes, so they won't be attracted to your lamp.
Ultrasound devices
You can also get small ultrasound devices against insects. They do not cause any damage to them, but they emit a very low frequency sound that keeps them away from your home. These devices are safe for pets.
