10 best folk remedies for mosquitoes and other insects

How to get rid of mosquitoes in an apartment yourself without harm

Before the onset of warming, almost all apartment owners think about what repels mosquitoes? How to protect yourself and your child from annoying insects? You can drive away pests using available “grandmother’s” remedies. How to effectively get rid of mosquitoes in an apartment? Here is a small list of available ingredients:

1. Essential oil of the citronella plant. This product must be natural, otherwise such a “poison” will be powerless. Literally a couple of drops of oil becomes an unbearable test for every mosquito. The insects will quickly leave the room and are unlikely to return.
2. Soybean oil (or tea tree oil, eucalyptus) also protects children and adults well from mosquito attacks. Bloodsuckers lose orientation in space and can be easily caught and destroyed. To enhance the effect, you can add catnip or lavender (two to one).
3. Insects also really dislike the smell of garlic. You need to cut a couple of slices of the plant and leave it overnight. The juice will do its job, scaring off the “predator”.
4. What really works against mosquitoes? Tincture of valerian herb and tobacco. These harmful insects simply cannot stand the aroma of these products.
5. An equally effective remedy is the elderberry plant. It is especially good if it is under the windows, and the living space is on the ground floor of the building.
6. How to fight mosquitoes in an apartment correctly? Caucasian (Persian) chamomile helps a lot. It contains pyrethrum, a substance that can repel parasites.

Ways to enter the house

• Most often, mosquitoes sneak into an apartment through windows and balcony doors that are open in the summer heat. By smelling the carbon dioxide exhaled by humans, they can fly long distances to feast on fresh blood.
• At night, they are also attracted to lighting devices. Feeling their warmth, mosquitoes rush into the welcomingly open windows. Sometimes insects cling to the mosquito net from the outside, and the moment it is removed, several individuals break into the apartment.
• Another way is the front door; in the minutes that it remains open, more than a dozen bloodsuckers are able to enter the apartment from the landing. There they prefer to hide from the heat of the day.

• In flight

• In apartment buildings, the basement can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes if there is high humidity. Then ventilation holes, cracks near pipelines, and an elevator shaft become convenient roads for bloodsuckers.
• These little vampires are not averse to using human clothing to move around, which is so easy to get into the home.

Fighting mosquitoes with folk remedies

How to get rid of mosquitoes at home using improvised means? The best remedy for flying insects is mosquito nets; they should be installed on all windows in the apartment. At the dacha, you can hang thick tulle on the entrance doors or make a mosquito net from scrap materials.

Vinegar

Vinegar will help you escape from blood-sucking creatures in nature. Before a walk, you need to thoroughly rub the exposed skin with the prepared vinegar solution. How to make mosquito repellent spray at home? For preparation you will need 40 ml. shampoo, 70 ml. vinegar and 30 ml. vegetable oil. Mix all components until smooth and pour into a bottle.

Note! When using this method, be careful that the spray requires vinegar, not vinegar essence. The latter has a strong concentration and can cause a chemical burn

Lemon and cloves

How to get rid of mosquitoes at night? A cut lemon with a clove stuck in it will rid the house of uninvited guests. For one room you only need two or three slices of lemon. You can also repel insects using a liquid product based on cloves. You will need 100 grams of boiling water, 20 cloves and the zest of one lemon, mix all the ingredients and leave for 30 minutes. Spray the strained solution onto upholstered furniture.

Vanillin

Vanillin is one of the best folk remedies against mosquitoes and midges. To prepare a folk repellent you will need 150 grams of hot water, 1 tablespoon of soda and 15 drops of vanilla essence, mix all ingredients.

Additional Information! The solution can be sprayed on clothing, furniture, or around you outdoors. This universal method not only repels insects, but is also a kind of trap; the vanilla smell attracts mosquitoes, and when they get into a container with a solution, they die.

Grass

In the old days, mosquitoes were controlled using pyrethrins. Dried leaves and flowers of Persian or Caucasian chamomile, wheatgrass, valerian, mint, and elderberry affect the nerve cells of insects. Not a single mosquito will dare to fly into the room in which these herbs are laid out.

Carbolic acid

A few drops of carbolic acid applied to the pillow, blanket and wall next to the bed will allow you to sleep peacefully, without fear of the invasion of flying bloodsuckers.

Essential oils

Essential oils not only relieve itching and redness, but also repel annoying mosquitoes. Oils of clove, basil, wormwood, anise and eucalyptus can be applied to open areas of the body, or drop a few drops into an aroma lamp, fireplace or open fire in nature.

Fish fat

The smell of fish oil is unpleasant not only to people, but also to insects. No mosquito will want to bite a person who smells of this product. When going to the forest or to the lake, you should apply fish oil to exposed skin.

Anti-mosquito aerosols

The composition contains substances that are toxic to mosquitoes. Advantages of using aerosols:

• Ease of use;
• uniform distribution of the drug;
• treatment of hard-to-reach places;
• the active composition spreads over a radius of 3.5 meters;
• Aerosol formulations last for several hours.

Extreme caution should be used when using aerosols. Spraying should not be carried out near food products. It is strictly forbidden to use aerosols to protect children from mosquitoes.

How to get rid of mosquitoes in an apartment at night quickly without a fumigator

1 If your fumigator is broken or you forgot to take it on a trip, do not rush to get upset. The main thing is that the plates remain. In fact, you don't need a special device to activate them. They start working at normal heating.

You can place the record on a heated light bulb, on the edge of a glass with candles, or simply set fire to a corner and immediately extinguish it. A slow smolder will create a similar effect.

2 Now let's move on to natural and safer remedies. Topping the list are essential oils. For us, their smell is pleasant, but it confuses and even repels mosquitoes. Apply a drop to each limb and neck. Or dilute with water in a ratio of 1 to 10 and use it as a store-bought mosquito spray.

The most effective oils are eucalyptus, juniper and clove. You can mix eucalyptus oil with lemon juice. Dry clove buds will also come in handy. You can infuse them with alcohol and spray them. In nature, lemon halves with spices stuck into them will protect you.

3 Going on a hike? Then in the forest you will find absolutely free mosquito repellent. The tinder fungus grows almost everywhere. Collect a small amount of mushrooms, place them around the perimeter and leave to smolder. Just watch out for fire safety, you’re in the forest after all.

4 When you make a fire, periodically throw pine cones, juniper branches and pine needles into it. Their smoke perfectly scares away buzzing “comrades”.

How to get rid of mosquitoes in an apartment quickly at night - folk remedies

Some essential oils also repel mosquitoes. Insects do not like the aroma of tea tree, geranium, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, and mint. Clove oil is the most effective aromatic remedy in the fight against mosquitoes! You can also use mixtures of aromatic oils. The best way to do this is with an aroma lamp.

Use of essential oils

When using essential oils, it is important to follow the rules of safe use and take precautions into account.

1. Undiluted essential oils should not be applied to the skin, as this causes a chemical burn.
2. Do not allow the product to get into your eyes.
3. It should not be used by nursing mothers, infants, patients with epilepsy and pregnant women, as well as by individual intolerance.
4. Do not exceed the dose of oil specified in the instructions.

A blend of lemon and eucalyptus essential oils is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. The drug is effective due to its high cineole content. In addition to repelling mosquitoes, it has an antibacterial effect.

Boric acid or alcohol is used as a component of a mosquito repellent. Plants insist on it. The repellent itself is placed on the windowsill or at the front door.

AROMATHERAPY

Smells can be used to control mosquitoes. Consider growing plants at home that repel bloodsuckers. For example, lanthanum gives a good effect. However, it should be borne in mind that this representative of the domestic flora is dangerous for animals, and can also cause allergies in humans. Mosquitoes do not like the scent of geranium, so you can safely grow it on windowsills. Then only the hungriest individuals will fly into the window. Owners of private houses can plant lilac, bird cherry or elderberry under the window. You can place a pot with marigolds on the balcony. These plants will give a pleasant aroma to your household and at the same time help the flying bloodsuckers survive.

The smell of basil, lemongrass, mint, rosemary, as well as catnip and any citrus fruits is unpleasant for mosquitoes. But they have a very weak effect, so they can scare away mosquitoes only if you plan to grow them in large quantities or fumigate rooms with them. In all other situations, their essential oils will have a much greater effect. Extracts of eucalyptus, cedar, anise, as well as tea tree and basil work well. The easiest way is to drop a little into the aroma lamp, but you can also apply it to the skin.

In conclusion, we note that the problems associated with the sharply increasing insect population in the summer have been familiar to people since time immemorial. Our distant ancestors fought bloodsuckers in the house in their own way, mainly with the help of improvised means: fragrant herbs, decoctions and bunches of dried plants. With the development of modern technologies, the possibilities have expanded, so the fight against mosquitoes in human homes is much easier. However, many to this day prefer folk recipes, getting rid of bloodsuckers the old fashioned way.

Which method you prefer is up to you. But in any case, the measures taken will not have any effect if you do not comply with prevention.

• Make sure that there is no high humidity or stagnant liquid in the underground. Mosquitoes love water and actively breed near its source, so you need to get rid of excess moisture.
• Install mosquito nets on windows and doors. Be sure to secure them firmly to prevent children and pets from falling out.
• Recent studies have found that mosquitoes like the smell of sweat. Therefore, maintaining personal hygiene rules in the summer will be especially important.

There are many other effective techniques that allow you to quickly catch a bloodsucker in a room, although most of them still come down to the traditional swatting with your hand, newspaper and even slippers. We told you about the most unusual options. And remember: finding and driving away an annoying mosquito at night is not at all difficult, you just need to use your imagination.

FUMIGATORS

A fumigator (from Latin fumigo - “I smoke”, “I fumigate”) is a very reliable tool that allows you to get rid of insects in record time. The most popular ones include Raptor, Raid, Mosquitoll, Fumitox and Picnic Family.

Together with the device, the kit includes several plates or a container with insecticidal liquid. When the device is turned on, they release special substances into the air that kill gnats, flies and mosquitoes within half an hour. Most often, fumigators are based on pyrethroid insecticides - esbiotrin and prallethrin (a synthetic analogue of Dalmatian chamomile extract). Experts recommend giving preference to the latter option - it is safer.

The duration of the plate is from 8 to 15 hours. A fumigator with a liquid insecticide has a longer action - up to 45 nights. Approximate area – 12 sq. m.

For all its effectiveness, a fumigator can be dangerous! Unfortunately, not everyone uses it in accordance with the instructions. Many people leave the device turned on all night almost at the head of their head - this should not be done!

How to use such tools correctly? The device is plugged into the outlet for about 20 minutes, leaving the window open. There should be no people, their pets, or children in the room at this time! Also remember that fumigators are completely contraindicated for respiratory diseases. At the end of the period, the device is unplugged from the outlet, the room is well ventilated and the window is closed.

Advice! Do not use records left over from last year - they are unlikely to help you. If the fumigator liquid has run out and there is no way to buy a new one, replace it with eucalyptus extract.

SPIRALS

Of course, one can argue about the advisability of using spirals in an apartment, because they are more suitable for a summer house or gazebo. mosquito coils work on the same principle as fumigators. They contain an insecticide that is released into the air while the device is smoldering. To prevent fire, place the spiral on a metal surface and set fire to only one edge.

Mosquito coil - operating principle, description and tips for use, read more in this article.

To prevent bites from itching

You can avoid unpleasant itching with the help of available remedies. Soda has proven itself to be the best antiseptic. Dilute half a teaspoon of the substance in a glass of warm water, mix and apply to the bite site. Ammonia and potassium permanganate solution also have similar effects.

If the indicated remedies are not at hand, lubricate the affected area with kefir or yogurt.

If the trouble happened in nature, apply a leaf of plantain, mint, bird cherry or parsley to the bite area.

To understand which method of struggle is better, try several methods in turn. You can buy a special device to repel mosquitoes or use traditional methods of extermination. You will achieve maximum effect if you use a couple of methods in combination.

Habits of mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are two-winged insects distributed throughout the world. In temperate climates they are active from early May to October. The population prefers to settle in damp, dark places where there is access to water.

The optimal air temperature for pest activity is 15-18 C. When the thermometer shows 28-30 C, the number of insects decreases. During flight, they quickly lose moisture; the heat does not allow them to restore vital energy, so mosquitoes prefer to wait out the heat in a shelter.

Not all mosquitoes drink blood. Males feed on plant nectar, but females have mouthparts adapted to pierce the skin of animals and humans. The female individual makes up to 8 bites per night. She needs blood to replenish energy and obtain proteins to reproduce. Mosquitoes from the genus Kusaki are common in Russia and neighboring countries.

Anti-mosquito insecticides: for larvae and adults

In the range of chemical mosquito repellents you can find substances both for the destruction of adult mosquitoes and their larvae. Before you start fighting adults, destroy the larvae in nearby water bodies.

Many owners of private houses may have various bodies of water in their yard: a pond, a swimming pool, a rainwater sump. To destroy larvae in standing water, use special bacteria. They are sold in granules or tablets.

Pour the required amount of substance into the reservoir based on the volume of liquid. The drug not only kills larvae already present in the water, but also prevents the appearance of new ones within a month. Such products are safe for pets. In Russia, the production of such bacteria has not yet been established, so only products from American brands can be found on sale.

Once the larvae are destroyed, you can begin to kill adult mosquitoes. To exterminate them, you can use special chemicals based on pyrethrins or pyrethroids. The drugs are very effective, but it is very difficult to buy them without a license. As an alternative, you can use spirals or fumigators.

HOW TO FIND AND CATCH A MOSQUITO

If the squeak of a lonely “bloodsucker” is heard at night, it is not at all necessary to use remedies against them. It is better to turn on a flashlight or lamp to find the mosquito. Wait for it to sit on a wall or other surface, and then kill it with a rolled-up newspaper or suck it up with a vacuum cleaner.

To do this, you need to sharply point the pipe at the victim and turn it on so that the insect does not have time to fly away. This method is especially good if the mosquito is sitting in a hard-to-reach place.

Another way is to catch on your body, for which you need to lie on your side, cover yourself completely with a blanket, leaving only half of your face accessible. Place your hand in a comfortable position so that you can quickly deliver the “deadly blow” when the mosquito swoops down on the skin (most often it lands on the cheek). The main thing is not to injure yourself!

Ultrasonic devices

Produces sound waves that repel mosquitoes. Consequently, they are afraid to approach the source of the sound. A person cannot hear ultrasound, so the device is completely safe. Advantages of using ultrasonic repellers:

• complete safety for people and pets;
• no interference with the operation of household appliances;
• noiselessness;
• ease of use;
• efficiency.