Mosquitoes

By: Svetlana Pasarić

How to get rid of pesky mosquitoes (natural protection)

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Pesky mosquitoes can spoil even the most perfect vacation with their constant buzzing and biting.

But, that is not all. If you are allergic to mosquito bites, they can really make your life miserable.

Itching and swelling can last for several weeks with allergic people. You can just forget about having a pleasant vacation.

Unpleasant feeling we get after mosquito bites is not the only reason for protection.

Some mosquitoes can transmit infectious disease such as malaria, yellow fever and Lyme disease.


Ways of protection


You can use chemical sprays and crème (fast and easy), but such products are soaked in trough your skin and have unwanted effects on your health.

Because of that, we suggest a natural form of protection.

It is fairly simple to make your own repellent – a natural product for protection against mosquitoes.

Natural products will efficiently repel mosquitoes and you have to apply them every 2 hours and in larger quantities than chemical products.

For protection against mosquitoes, use the following essential oils:

Mix these oils with olive oil and apply them regularly on your skin in order to ensure protection against mosquitoes. 

You can also add verbena, lavender, pine, basil and garlic oil into repellent.

If you opt for purchasing bio repellent, it is advisable to choose products with multiple ingredients since they are generally much more efficient than repellents containing just one or two ingredients. 

Do not forget that some factors, such as rain, swimming and showering can weaken the repellent’s effects, so re-apply it regularly.

 

Useful advice:
 Mosquitoes do not like windy weather. Choose a location with mild breezes if you are going camping.


What attracts mosquitoes (things to be avoided)


1. Dark clothes and leaves
Dark clothes and leaves attract mosquitoes. Therefore avoid dark-colored clothes and do not spend time near dark-leafed trees. 

2. Carbon dioxide
Our body releases this chemical compound when we are hot or after exercises. Burning lights and fires are another source of carbon dioxide.

3. Lactic acid
Our body releases lactic acid after exercises or after we consume certain food items (for example, salty food). Lactic acid is a magnet for mosquitoes.

4. Flowery and fruity scents
Only few people know that fruity and flowery scents can attract mosquitoes. We are not talking about perfumes only. Face and body crèmes, shampoos, nail polishes, cosmetics, sunbathing crèmes etc. can contain subtle scents that will attract mosquitoes. 

5. Skin temperature
Different types of mosquitoes like different skin temperatures. But generally, colder body temperatures (like cold feet or hands) are more appealing to mosquitoes.

6. Moisture
We all know that mosquitoes love moisture. Even the smaller quantities of water (such as moist flowers and small ponds that are created after rainfall) can attract mosquitoes. Stale water is the place where mosquitoes breed. But not only that, mosquitoes can be attracted even by the smallest amounts of sweat on your body.


After we are bitten


If you get bitten, you can use the following products for alleviating itchiness and redness:

Essential oils:

Hydrolates (flowery waters)

Other products:

  • aloe vera (crème or gel)
  • black cumin oil
  • chamomile (crème)
  • propolis (crème)
  • marigold (crème)
  • colloidal silver (spray)
  • sodium bicarbonate (dilute with water and make a paste and apply it to the location of the sting)


Did you know?

  • here are over 3 000 types of mosquitoes
  • different types of mosquitoes use different techniques for finding food
  • mosquitoes do not attack humans only, they also attack other mammals, frogs or birds
  • mosquitoes have adapted to all climates: we find them in tropical countries and in arctic areas






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