What attracts mosquitoes
A mosquito is a nature-created insect with an excellent sense of smell. Even at a great distance, they are able to catch the scent of the victim and head towards it. Interestingly, only female mosquitoes bite. Males, lacking mouthparts for biting, are vegetarians and feed on nectar.
To find out the smells that repel mosquitoes, you must first understand those that are their favorite and readily attract:
- high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is released by all living things when they breathe. This is why it is quite easy for bloodsuckers to find their victims;
- heat is another indicator for insects, by which female mosquitoes are excellent at navigating;
- the smell of sweat. This is especially true during the hot summer period.
Attention! Scientists have proven that mosquitoes are able to distinguish colors. They are attracted to red, blue and black colors in clothing, while yellow is considered their least favorite.
The main task of a person is to find substances that will smell stronger than its natural smell. If this succeeds, then the little vampires cannot find their victim. When there is a strong smell in the air, insects lose orientation in space and begin to move chaotically.
Features of the existence of insects
This is not to say that insects attack every day in the summer. They also have their own preferences and vulnerability to weather conditions. Mosquitoes prefer warmth and dampness; temperatures from 16 to 28 degrees are ideal for their wakefulness, but they cannot tolerate heat and dryness. Midges, unlike mosquitoes, are a nuisance in hot weather. Congestions of all insects are found near ponds, forests, parks and other plantings. Bloodsuckers are attracted by the warmth and smell of the human body. Children suffer the most from insect bites. Their skin is thinner, so it will be easier for insects to feast on them. Increased activity of insects is observed in the evening, after sunset, and at night. They also act atrociously in the face of bad weather, so if mosquitoes do not directly allow you passage, expect the weather to worsen.
The mosquito is especially willing to settle near a body of water
What smells do bloodsuckers hate?
There are many proven products, oils and preparations, the aromas of which can repel vile insects at home.
| Plants | Other means |
| Lavender grown in the garden will repel bloodsuckers from the house, and a herbarium will help get rid of them indoors, giving a wonderful aroma to the owners. | Camphor repels most insects well, but has a big disadvantage in the form of an unpleasant odor. Recommended for use outdoors. |
| Melissa repels mosquitoes, having a similar aroma to mint and lemon. You can grow the plant on a windowsill or rub the leaves on your skin. | Formic acid. Any strong odors repel bloodsuckers, and sour aromas are even stronger. You need to take off your T-shirt or sweater and put it on the anthill, after it becomes a little damp, shake off all the ants and put it on your body, covering your nose. You can apply a little acid to exposed areas of the body. |
| Citronella is a herbaceous plant whose aroma is reminiscent of citrus fruits. In order to repel insects, you need to squeeze a few drops from a fresh plant into an aroma lamp. | Alcohol, especially ammonia. A piece of fabric is soaked in alcohol, and then all surfaces in the room are treated. Particular attention is paid to doors, windows and window sills. This treatment will be effective throughout the night. |
| Eucalyptus makes it difficult to find prey due to its strong aroma. Effective not only against mosquitoes, but also against midges and ticks. | Strawberries are considered the “old-fashioned” method. In order to protect yourself from mosquito bites, you just need to smear fresh berries on open areas of your body. |
| Rosemary is ideal not only in cooking. It attracts butterflies and repels mosquitoes. Rosemary oil can be added to insect repellent sprays. | Apple cider vinegar is diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio and sprayed onto bare skin. |
| Lemon catnip or catnip repels mosquitoes 10 times more effectively than insect repellents. | Frankincense can also repel mosquitoes, although not for a long time. And the aroma must be constantly in the room for it to have an effect. |
Spices
Ordinary spices and seasonings, which are found in almost every kitchen, also help repel mosquitoes from the house. Such repellents will not cope with a massive incursion of bloodsuckers, but they will be able to ward off 1-2 buzzing mosquitoes from the room.
- Vanilla. The smell of natural vanilla in the pods is not liked by mosquitoes, midges, flies and horseflies. Even confectionery vanillin, where the vanilla content is minimal, can effectively ward off bloodsuckers. To prepare a homemade repellent, dissolve 1 sachet of vanillin in 200 ml of warm water, add a vanilla pod or add 6 drops of essential oil.
- Carnation. Mosquitoes are disgusted by the pungent smell of both flowering cloves and the dried buds of the plant in the form of a spice. To prepare an effective mosquito repellent, cut 1 lemon in half and stick clove inflorescences into the pulp. The citrus smell mixes with clove and does not give insects a chance to feast on human blood.
- Cinnamon. The sharp and persistent aroma of the spice spreads over a long distance, allowing you to protect a room of 10-15 sq.m. from bloodsuckers. Cinnamon essential oil also has a repellent effect.
Essential oils
How to get rid of mosquitoes in the house?
The aroma of essential oils helps not only cope with stress, but also scare away annoying bloodsuckers. Esters of tea tree, thyme, eucalyptus, lavender and geranium will come to the rescue.
If no allergy or other undesirable reaction occurs when the oil comes into contact with the skin, then make a mixture of essential oil with regular cream, Vaseline or baby oil in the proportion of 20 drops per 30 grams of product.
The resulting paste is applied to exposed areas of the body. If there is a risk of developing allergies, you can add a few drops of ether to the medallion and wear it around your neck. For your dacha or apartment, you can purchase special aroma lamps for evaporating esters. They are usually located near an open window. A cheaper way is to soak a handkerchief or napkin in oil and place it next to the resting place.
Rules for using odors in the fight against cockroaches
It makes no sense to destroy cockroaches without having an idea of the reasons for their appearance in the apartment. Most often they appear where cleanliness standards are not observed. Insects are attracted to leftover food on the table, trash cans, cracks, and moisture.
Treatment of premises against cockroaches should be aimed at creating unfavorable conditions for the reproduction and development of insects. Before you start fighting them, you need to remember that they cannot live for long without water, so after using plumbing fixtures, you must immediately wipe them dry. Ventilation holes, window sills, door jambs, baseboards, balconies, and thresholds in the house should be treated. The treatment will need to be repeated after 4-5 days.
If the selected cockroach repellent is an aerosol, it is recommended to temporarily remove household members from the premises. This is especially true for children, pregnant women and the elderly, since the harm to the respiratory system and the entire body as a whole is obvious.
Folk recipes
Recommendations for the use of plants whose odors repel bloodsuckers.
Clove cocktail
Pour 5 clove buds into a glass of water and bring to a boil. Then reduce the gas and cook for another 15 minutes under the lid. After this, strain the mixture through cheesecloth, pour it into a container with a spray bottle and treat existing clothing. Before sending to nature, mix the decoction with any alcohol-containing cologne, and periodically spray and renew the aroma.
Mosquitoes do not bother people for a long time after using this recipe.
Cloves are also used instead of mosquito coils and fumigators. The aroma from the resulting product is not liked by many insects, but for humans it will bring a lot of pleasant emotions (reminiscent of New Year's Eve to many). The lemon is cut in half and dried clove buds are introduced into it. You can replace lemon with orange. The fruit is usually placed on the veranda table or near the bed.
Decoction of wheatgrass, wormwood and valerian
A handful of crushed roots of any of the 3 plants is poured with 1.5 liters of water. Then bring to a boil and simmer over low heat under the lid for about 5 minutes. After this, pour everything into a thermos, leave for 60 minutes, cool and filter.
The resulting decoction is used to wipe open areas of the body. You can also spray it on clothing items. You should use valerian decoction carefully if you have cats at home. The aroma of valerian is not liked by bloodsuckers, but pets love it.
Household products
Products used in everyday life are also often suitable for the role of fighters against blood-sucking insects. So, mosquitoes cannot stand the smell:
- Stars. The medicinal balm, familiar to many since childhood, contains in its composition the essential oils of most plants that mosquitoes do not like: clove, mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon. Additionally, menthol and camphor leave bloodsuckers no chance.
- Ammonia. Even humans cannot stand the pungent aroma of the concentrated product, let alone the sensitive sense of smell of pests. To prepare a working mosquito repellent solution, 100 ml of ammonia is mixed with 1 liter of water. The composition is sprayed in the room, but care is taken to ensure that children and pregnant women are not in it. Vinegar has a similar effect.
- Laundry soap . The detergent produces an effective solution against bloodsuckers. To prepare it, 100 g of bar soap is grated, mixed with warm water, and allowed to dissolve. The resulting composition is used to treat the home. Instead of laundry soap, tar soap with a similar repellent effect is often used.
Balm “Star”
This remedy is available in many homes, and it is recommended to use it not only according to the instructions. By applying the balm behind your ears or on your wrists, you can protect yourself from mosquito bites for a long time.
To get rid of bloodsuckers indoors, just boil 2 glasses of water in a saucepan and add a few grams of the product. After boiling water for 5-7 minutes, there will be no trace of mosquitoes in the house. Applying the balm is not recommended for people prone to allergies and children under 5 years of age.
Growing plants such as lavender, cloves, mint, geranium, marigolds and daisies in front of windows or in the garden will help cope with annoying mosquitoes and midges. It is also recommended to decorate the interior, veranda or terrace with bouquets of these flowers and herbs. Many insects are afraid of the aroma of bird cherry, elderberry, tomatoes, basil or garlic in the garden, and mosquitoes are no exception.
When relaxing in nature, it is best to throw spruce and pine branches into the fire. Mosquitoes cannot tolerate the smell of smoke on its own, but in combination with pine needles the effect will be amazing
How to prevent the arrival of uninvited guests
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, leaving clutches of eggs there. If you pour coffee grounds there, the eggs will float and the larvae will not hatch.
To prevent insects from flying into the apartment, it is worth installing mosquito nets on the windows and vents. Hang light curtains on the door. Place gauze on the ventilation holes.
What plants are mosquitoes afraid of?
- elderberry and bird cherry,
- geranium and chamomile,
- lavender and mint,
- basil and tomatoes.
Such dried bouquets are hung and laid out in rooms, secured above the doors.
A bed or pot of spicy basil located nearby will help repel mosquitoes from a door or window. Decoration and use. The dried plant is placed in clothing pockets so that it is easy to work outdoors.
The smell of lavender planted in a flower pot and placed near the door or window will repel mosquitoes.
The best remedy for repelling mosquitoes and ants, flies and fleas, and mice is considered to be dried mint, but not marsh mint.
The scent of fresh elderberry branches will keep biting mosquitoes out of your home. It is also useful to plant a bush next to a window or door in the area.
The smell of a tomato growing in a pot on the window will help repel squeaking insects.
Fruit fumigator. Turn the pulp of half a lemon into a hedgehog by inserting 10-15 pieces of spicy cloves. You can replace lemon hedgehog with Carnation cologne.
If you use electric fumigators, you will have to open the windows, since the fumes of the toxic substance are harmful to humans. The finished liquid can be replaced with eucalyptus extract - a natural repellent, non-toxic and harmless.
Fumigators and spirals
These products help get rid of mosquitoes in record time. The most famous are Fumitox, Reid, Raptor. Usually, the kit contains the device itself, into which you can insert plates or a container with a substance poisonous to insects. After turning on the device, mosquitoes, midges and flies die after 30 minutes.
Remember! Do not leave the device turned on all night. It is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations described in the instructions. Otherwise, deterioration in health may occur.
Spirals are best used on verandas or gazebos. They work on the same principle as fumigators. During the smoldering of the spiral, the insecticide is released into the air. In order to prevent fire, it is installed on a metal stand and ignited only at one end.
Blue lamp and vanillin extract: top 7 best mosquito repellents
Repellents are aerosols, lotions, creams, emulsions or hard sticks.
They repel insects with a pungent odor and are water-, alcohol-, or oil-based. The protection lasts from 3 to 8 hours. The most popular: Gardex Naturin (from 200 rubles), “Reftamid” (from 90 rubles), “DETA Aqua” (from 250 rubles), “Pathfinder” (from 140 rubles). Aerosols must be applied correctly - they are dangerous for mucous membranes. When applying the product to the skin, you first need to distribute it into the palm of your hand and then rub it over the body. And process the clothes on a hanger until slightly damp, let them dry and only then put them on. After handling, wash your hands with soap.
Before use by pregnant women or children, be sure to find out whether the repellent is suitable for them. There are special children's ointments and sprays, but you may be allergic to them - read the instructions carefully.
By the way, biologists say that mosquitoes do not get used to repellents; they simply do not affect all types of insects. Therefore, experts advise using several anti-bloodsucking remedies at once.
Fumigators are devices that spray smoke or steam that is poisonous to mosquitoes. They operate on electricity: you need to put a special plate with poison in the device or attach a bottle of liquid and plug the fumigator into an outlet. By the way, spirals are the same as fumigators, only they act when set on fire. One package of a toxic substance is enough for a period of three days to a month (depending on the manufacturer).
The poisons used in fumigators do not harm humans, cats, or dogs. But fish or amphibians can be poisoned by them - the drug affects cold-blooded animals. If there is a child in the house, it is better to buy a children's fumigator to avoid allergies to substances.
The most popular fumigators are produced by Raptor and Reid (costing from 300 rubles), there are very large tourist fumigators, their price is from three thousand rubles.
An anti-mosquito lamp is a device that kills mosquitoes using ultraviolet light and electrical discharge. The light attracts insects and then electrocutes them. They come in different sizes so that they can be placed both on the site and in the room. Powered by electricity. The cost varies from 500 to 3000 rubles.
The concentration of ultraviolet radiation in the lamps is not very high, so as not to spoil a person’s vision, but is sufficient to destroy blood-sucking insects. Biologists say that this device has not been proven to be 100% effective.
There are traps: electric (based on propane or carbon dioxide), thermal, water, homemade (from improvised means). Most of them run on electricity (except homemade ones). As a trap, you can also use adhesive tape, lubricated with a special solution with an odor attractive to mosquitoes.
1.5 liter plastic bottle
To do this you will need: 50 grams of sugar, 5 grams of dry baker's yeast and a glass of water (room temperature).
Cut the bottle in half, with the side with the neck being smaller. Pour sugar and yeast into a container, add water and mix thoroughly. The mass should foam. Next, insert the neck of the bottle into the container with the bait, and wrap the walls with a dark rag, securing with tape or a stapler (this will speed up the fermentation process and the release of carbon dioxide, which mosquitoes are very susceptible to). Place the bottle on the terrace or windowsill, it will work for about a week.
There are herbs whose scents repel mosquitoes. You can plant them on a windowsill or in the garden and thus reduce the number of bloodsucking insects on your property or in your apartment.
Herbs that repel mosquitoes: citronella, garlic (green shoots), lemon balm, catnip, marigold, basil, lavender, peppermint, pennyroyal, rosemary, geranium, wormwood, valerian, thyme, ageratum, monarda (flower crops). Among the plants, mosquitoes cannot tolerate bird cherry, elderberry, or juniper.
Source
Ultrasonic repellers
Ultrasound against mosquitoes has been used recently. The operating principle of the devices is based on ultrasonic waves. Are mosquitoes afraid of ultrasound? The opinions of scientists are divided; 100% effectiveness has not been proven. But, some models really work. Devices that are plugged into the network, battery-powered, and portable devices are sold.
Ultrasound is not dangerous for humans, since we cannot hear it. What frequency are mosquitoes afraid of? The creators say that bloodsuckers cannot withstand a frequency of 30 kHz. And the devices are produced with a floating frequency, from 4 to 40 kHz. It is believed that mosquitoes are afraid of the sound that imitates the flight of dragonflies, and this is 30 kHz.
Why does it work on some and not on others?
Lavender is considered a good honey plant. Bees, butterflies, and bumblebees are attracted by the sweet pollen of purple inflorescences. So why don't other insects like lavender? Why does she repulse them so much?
Ticks, mosquitoes, bedbugs, fleas, and lice feed on the blood of humans and animals. Moths and microscopic mites feed and raise offspring on dead scales of skin epithelium, wool, and fur. These insects and arachnids have well-developed olfactory receptors. They find their food (humans, warm-blooded animals) by the specific organic smell of a living body.
If you smear a person, a dog, or a cat with lavender extract, then its essential components will temporarily kill the “native” smell . The parasite, not sensing bodily fluids, will believe that it will not find food in this place. The bloodsucker will not waste energy on an object that is obviously unpromising in terms of feeding; it will look for another one.
The effect of lavender on blood-sucking and synanthropic pests lies in deceiving the receptors. The warm-blooded object temporarily falls out of their sphere of attention. The period of action of lavender essential substances lasts no more than an hour. Odorous plant substances are washed off fairly quickly afterwards.
Ants and mites that eat plants avoid areas planted with lavender. They are repelled by terpene compounds in the stems and leaves of the plant. Terpenes are poisonous to insects; they do not bite such plants - they are not tasty . Therefore, they crawl to another garden, where the plantings are more edible.
