10 Effective Remedies to Get Rid of Mosquitoes at Home

It is impossible to enjoy an evening out on the patio or open the windows to let in some cool evening breeze if your house is invaded by mosquitoes every day. Mosquitoes can be quite annoying to deal with, especially due to their constant buzzing, biting, and the range of diseases they carry. Dengue, malaria, and yellow fever are few of the many illnesses that they are known to spread. Hence, it becomes imperative to keep your house free of these unwelcome guests to safeguard the health of your family.

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes at Home

There are several options to get rid of mosquitoes at home, naturally. Here are some of them:

1. Garlic

The strong smell of garlic helps keep mosquitoes away. All you need to do is crush some cloves of garlic, boil them in water and spread the smell all over the house. You can fill this solution in a bottle and spray your house with it to keep mosquitoes away.

2. Tulsi

The natural fragrance of Basil or Tulsi acts as a repellent for mosquitoes. Surround your house with Tulsi plants or keep a shrub next to each window. This herb helps keep mosquitoes away and works wonders in treating mosquito bites as well.

3. Cloves and Lemon

This remedy is one of the best ways to keep mosquitoes away; it is quite simple too. Slice a few lemons into halves and stick some cloves into each half. Place these around the house to get rid of mosquitoes.

4. Neem and Lavender oil

Mix some neem and lavender oil in the ratio 1:1 and apply it on your skin. Neem oil can keep mosquitoes away better than commercial coils. It also has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties, which keep your skin safe and protected.

5. Peppermint Essential Oil

Add a few drops of peppermint oil in a cup of water and fill it in a spray can. Spray this solution on your skin. Peppermint oil has chemical compounds that can keep mosquitoes away, leaving you smelling fresh and minty.

6. Camphor Oil

Camphor is the most trust-worthy remedy to get rid of mosquitoes. All you need to do is light camphor in a closed room and leave it for 20 minutes. Not only will you have a long-lasting natural mosquito repellent, but you will be surprised to see dead mosquitoes on the floor.

7. Coffee Grounds

Stagnant water puddles form the ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. If you have puddles around the house or up on the roof, spread some coffee grounds in it. If those are breeding grounds, the mosquito eggs will automatically float to the surface and once deprived of oxygen, they will not survive – thus, preventing more mosquitoes from taking over your house.

8. Plants that Repel Mosquitoes

Certain plants like Feverfew, Citronella and Catnip are known for repelling mosquitoes. You can plant these in your garden, keep them at your windowsill or doorways to stop mosquitoes from entering the house.

9. Tea Tree oil

Dilute a few drops of tea tree oil in some water and apply it on your skin. This anti-fungal and anti-bacterial oil is not only excellent at repelling mosquitoes, but it can also treat mosquito bites.

10. Rosemary

Rosemary stalks are great at keeping mosquitoes away. Just burn a few stalks inside the house, and you can effectively get rid of mosquitoes from the house.

FAQs

Here is a list of some frequently asked questions and solutions for the same:

1. How to Avoid Mosquito Bites?

Avoid mosquitoes from biting you by installing mosquito screens on your windows and wearing long-sleeved, thick fabric clothes. You can avoid going out in the evenings or at dusks. If you have to go out, use some natural mosquito repellent to stay safe. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon-dioxide and consuming alcohol causes your body to emit CO2 and increases the bacterial composition of your skin. This, in turn, attracts mosquitoes. So try to limit your alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether. You will also need to clear out any stagnant water around your house and take a shower regularly, especially when you are sweaty.

2. Does Apple Cider Vinegar Kill Mosquitoes?

Apple Cider Vinegar, when sprayed on mosquito larvae can kill them. Although it takes quite some time, it is a natural and safe way to kill new mosquitoes from surrounding your house. You will need to use a good quantity of apple cider vinegar to kill the larvae in the stagnant water. Undiluted apple cider vinegar can also be sprayed on your skin to gain protection from mosquitoes.

3. What to Eat to Repel Mosquitoes?

Garlic and onions emit a compound called allicin through your pores when consumed. This affects your natural scent and keeps mosquitoes away. Mosquitoes do not like the smell of vinegar, so they steer clear if you have consumed a good amount of vinegar. Capsaicin in chilli peppers is an irritant that can keep mosquitoes away. Foods rich in thiamine like lentils, beans, tomatoes, etc., release an odour that repels mosquitoes. Citrus fruits like grapefruit contain a compound called nootkatone which is a component used in pesticides and insecticides.

4. What are Mosquitoes Attracted to?

Lactic acid produced by your body is a major point of attraction for the mosquitoes. Eating salty food increases the amount of lactic acid produced. Acetone, released while breathing and estradiol, a by-product created during the breakdown of estrogen can also attract mosquitoes. They are also attracted to carbon-dioxide produced as a result of metabolism in the body. This is one of the main attractions. Mosquitoes are also attracted to colour – people wearing darker shades like black, red, navy blue, etc., tend to stand out to them.

Mosquitoes can truly be a great inconvenience that needs proper remedial options. The several home remedies for killing mosquitoes mentioned here can be your guide to get to a mosquito-free home.

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