During the monsoon season, with the prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and malaria, adequate mosquito protection becomes imperative for safeguarding our well-being. While an array of chemical-laden repellents, insecticides, plug-in devices, and mosquito coils are available, the dark side of these solutions lies in their potential harm to our health and the unsettling indoor air pollution they generate. In light of this, shifting our focus to natural and safer ways to create mosquito-free surroundings is high time.
These home remedies serve as a cost-effective measure and present a compelling pathway to keep those pesky mosquitoes at bay while nurturing a healthier and greener environment. So, let’s embark on an exploration of 6 highly effective home remedies that promise to protect us from the buzzing invaders and their disease-laden bites:
1. Aromatic Essential Oils: With the power to repel mosquitoes effectively, use essential oils like lavender, tea tree, neem, citronella, eucalyptus, and mint to protect yourself this monsoon. Mix a few drops of your preferred oil with water in a spray bottle and spritz it around your home. Alternatively, enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy by using these oils in a vaporizer or oil diffuser. For personal protection, create a neem oil spray by combining neem oil with equal parts coconut oil and a few drops of lavender oil. Neem oil, in particular, has been proven more effective in keeping mosquitoes away than chemical-laden coils or vaporizers due to its less toxic, eco-friendly and insect-resistant properties[1].
Stay mosquito-free this monsoon. Check our essential oils as an effective way to enjoy the rainy season without mosquito bites. Explore here!
2. Camphor: It proves to be a highly effective natural mosquito repellent. Leaving a few pieces in a container for evaporation creates a protective barrier against mosquitoes. For extreme measures, burning camphor for 20 minutes with closed doors and windows effectively eliminates mosquitoes. Alternatively, placing camphor tablets in a water bowl every 2-3 days releases its strong scent to keep mosquitoes away. Try using camphor to keep mosquitoes away without using harmful chemicals. It’s a powerful and natural way to create a mosquito-free environment. Try it, and enjoy a peaceful space without those annoying bugs!
3. Garlic: It has qualities that repel mosquitoes due to its sulfur content. The garlic juice is lethal to these insects. To create a mosquito-free environment, boil crushed garlic cloves in water, let it cool, and then pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray this pungent garlic liquid all over your house to keep mosquitoes at bay and avoid their bites naturally.
4. Mosquito-repellent Plants
In your garden, include mosquito-repellent plants like marigold, holy basil, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, and rosemary. Trim the lawn regularly to deter mosquitoes from resting in tall, moist, shady grass. And don’t worry, these plants won’t harm humans, but they’ll gladly take care of mosquitoes! Consider adding a fascinating plant to complement other mosquito remedies for a well-rounded defense.
5. Lemon and Clove
Transform your room into a mosquito-free zone with this simple trick. Just slice a lemon in half, insert some cloves into it, and place it in various areas of your home. The delightful aroma will naturally keep those pesky insects at bay, and you won’t have to harm them. Clove, a natural spice, offers many beneficial properties, including anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, antipyretic, anti-candidal, and even aphrodisiac effects. It acts as a moderate repellent against various species of Anopheles mosquitoes, showcasing its potential for protecting these insects[2].
6. Choose Loose-Fitting Clothes
To ward off ticks and mosquitoes, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants that cover your skin.
Enhance protection with permethrin-treated clothes and gear. Treat your clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. This powerful ingredient helps kill and repel ticks and mosquitoes, remaining effective through multiple washings. Remember, permethrin should not be applied to the skin directly[3].
In case you are wondering, these home remedies are not feasible for you to follow, you can explore our range of mosquito repellants. Explore here!
While mosquitoes can be a nuisance, achieving a mosquito-free home is possible. These effective home remedies offer a fantastic solution to the constant mosquito attacks every night. Utilizing these methods can keep mosquitoes from invading your home and enjoy a peaceful, mosquito-free living space.
Say goodbye to those bothersome bugs and embrace a more comfortable rainy season.
(The article is written by Dr.Subita Alagh, Senior Executive, and reviewed by Monalisa Deka, Senior Health Content Editor)
Recommended Reads
Purple Powerhouse: 10 Surprising Benefits of Jamun Fruit
References
1. Dua VK, Pandey AC, Raghavendra K, Gupta A, Sharma T, Dash AP. Larvicidal activity of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) formulation against mosquitoes. Malar J. 2009 Jun 8;8:124. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702347/
2. Asadollahi, A., Khoobdel, M., Zahraei-Ramazani, A. et al. Effectiveness of plant-based repellents against different Anopheles species: a systematic review. Malar J 18, 436 (2019). Available online: https://malariajournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12936-019-3064-8#citeas
3. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/media/fight-the-bite.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fncezid%2Fdvbd%2Fabout%2Fprevent-bites.html