And here is an overview of natural remedies for mosquitoes and other insects (including for children).
Mosquitoes this year are biting like never before.
We have already managed to get tired of these bloodsuckers. Most of all they like the smell of human sweat. Sweaty body mosquitoes attack with a special desire, spreading a lot of viral and bacterial diseases. Females feed on blood, while males eat exclusively flower nectar. Mosquitoes don’t actually bite, they suck. When they find the target, the female inserts a long and sharp trunk/stinger into the skin, looking for blood. Mosquitoes digest food and wait for the eggs to ripen. And then they look for a secluded place to lay 200 – 300 eggs at a time. After 4 days, a new armada of bloodsuckers is ready for a battle. If conditions are good, then females live for more than a month, and males for about two weeks.
It is not so easy to get rid of a small but persistent mosquito. The most reliable protection is a mosquito net.
But it turns out that we ourselves can easily prepare effective means (creams, sprays) against mosquitoes and form improvised flower beds. It has been observed that mosquitoes do not like strongly smelling flowers.
And first of all, let’s look at the flower garden.
Bright orange marigolds are loved by many flower growers. And all because CALENDULA is unpretentious, tolerates cold weather well and blooms for a long time. But it also has another useful property – it protects against mosquitoes. You can plant marigolds both in the country and at home – in a pot.
LAVENDER. We love its’ smell, but insects do not. A strong lemon smell also comes from crushed GERANIUM leaves.
Insects also do not like the smell of VALERIAN and LEMON VERBENA.
MELISSA OFFICINAL is used not only as a seasoning, but also to create repellents. Mosquitoes can’t stand its scent. Lightly dry, rub the leaves and apply to exposed skin.
MINT is usually grown for tea. But it is also the strongest mosquito repellant. All types of mint, both wild and cultivated, contain aromatic substances that repel insects. It is best to crush the leaves a little and rub them on the bare parts of the body. Spray from the decoction of the flowers of this plant is considered an even more effective mosquito repellent than many chemical agents. Also, fresh mint protects the house from ants, and dry mint will drive away mice.
Another spice, the smell of which the little bloodsuckers cannot stand, is ROSEMARY. To make its aroma even stronger, it is not necessary to rub the leaves, just move the plants.
WHAT TO USE? THERE ARE NATURAL REMEDIES FOR MOSQUITOES!
They work with essential oils:
- lavender
- citronella
- Rosemary
- basil
- Lemongrass
Now I’ll tell you how to make an absolutely natural mosquito and tick spray at home in 5 minutes, which not only does not harm the body, but is also a general tonic and perfectly stimulates the immune system. Save this post so you don’t have to look for the recipe later. So, we need:
Spray bottle
100 ml water 50 drops of essential oil.
You can take:
- citronella (lemongrass)
- cloves
- eucalyptus
- geranium
- lavender
It is best to make a mixture, for example: 10 drops of cloves, 20 drops of lemongrass and 20 drops of eucalyptus. Cloves – do not use more than 10 drops!
The preparation is very simple: just add essential oils to the water and pour it all into a spray bottle. And now – we have a natural and very effective repellant for the whole family!
Spray on clothing and exposed skin before going outdoors. If you are preparing a spray for children under 12 years old, reduce the concentration of essential oils by 2 times! If you have been using aromatherapy for a long time, the body is “used” to essential oils, or if there are sooooo many mosquitoes / ticks in your place of rest – you can increase the concentration of essential oils by 2 times (up to 100 drops per 100 ml. At the same time, do not use more than 20 drops of cloves!)
Before using the product for the first time, test it on inside of your elbow to avoid a reaction or sensitivity to the essential oils you used! And if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, use only essential oils of lemongrass and eucalyptus.
And More…
- A very effective remedy for fruit flies (not mosquitoes) is vanilla! Or a cheaper analog – vanillin (but it is synthetic, albeit food). Mix it with water or cream – and apply to the skin.
- You can also make your own candles. It will be necessary to get wax (I am against paraffin) and add the same essential oils.
And there is a very cheap home remedy! Cut off half a lemon, squeeze a little, and stick cloves into it. Place by a window or door.
