Natural Remedies for Mosquitoes

It's unnecessary to spend money, and sometimes waste it, on polluting and unhealthy chemicals to keep mosquitoes away and prevent their bites. There are plants (from basil to lavender, from geranium to rosemary) that keep mosquitoes at a safe distance because of the odors they emit, which these insects dislike. essential oils and even simple DIY mosquito sprays and traps.

Index of topics

Mosquito-repellent aromatic plants

The aromatic herbs that we traditionally use in cooking: mint and basil. But garlic is also very effective. Other plants that act as natural repellents to keep mosquitoes away are citronella, lavender essence , mint, geranium, and rosemary. In short, you're spoiled for choice.

Coffee grounds

Coffee is a very powerful tool for keeping mosquitoes away in the simplest and most sustainable way (i.e. without the use of chemicals). Just use coffee groundsOr place coffee beans in stagnant water or near plants that attract mosquitoes. Not to mention the easiest trick: dry coffee grounds on some aluminum foil and then burn them as if they were incense residue. The smell of coffee is absolutely repellent to all 3.500 species of mosquitoes and keeps them at a safe distance from our bodies.

Essential oils

Mosquito-repellent essential oils can be used in two ways: by spraying them with a diffuser or by carefully applying them directly to the skin. The most effective are:

Lemongrass oil
Lemon eucalyptus oil (very effective!)
Tea tree oil
Olio di lavanda
Neem oil
Peppermint oil

The use of essential oils as a mosquito repellent requires some precautions that should not be underestimated: dilute them well, never apply them on irritated skin, Do not use them near the eyes or near a wound. Store them in dark, tightly closed bottles in a cool place.

DIY mosquito repellent spray

With one of the essential oils we have listed, you can quickly prepare a mosquito repellent spray, with this recipe.

100 ml of distilled water
10-15 drops of essential oil
1 teaspoon of alcohol or witch hazel (for emulsification)

The spray must be shaken well before use.

Bicarbonate and talcum powder

Among the latest natural remedies to become part of the anti-mosquito universe there is also the sodium bicarbonateWhat we normally use in the kitchen is also used for household cleaning. In this case, the bicarbonate of soda must be mixed with the talc and placed directly on the body: it will be enough to keep mosquitoes away.

Mosquito trap with water and sugar

Water and sugar These are the perfect ingredients for making a DIY mosquito trap. Simply mix two tablespoons of sugar with 200 ml of water and add a gram of yeast to a bottle, and those pesky insects will have no chance. Thu Find all the instructions for making a mosquito trap, even with a simple plastic bottle.

Natural remedies against mosquitoes entering the house

If you live in a house that's very infested with mosquitoes, take note of these natural, preventative measures to keep them away.

First, install a window seal on each window. mosquito net.
Use the fan to reduce carbon dioxide, one of the chemicals we emit when breathing and which most attracts pests. Furthermore, the wind circulating in the environment hinders the flight of insects. mosquitoes, preventing them from moving freely in the air.
Avoid the water stagnation under the pots and, to prevent mosquitoes from nesting in your balcony, try the copper coin technique: just place one in each saucer to make the water inhospitable where the eggs are usually laid.
It's very likely that mosquitoes have laid their eggs in the stagnant water of some saucer: expect an invasion. You can avoid it by getting small pieces of copper wire and placing them in the infested water. This metal is very toxic to mosquito larvae, which will not have time to reproduce.
Bats, geckos, and lizards against mosquitoes. Some Italian municipalities, including Milan, in order to deal with the mosquito problem in the city, in the past years, have installed mosquito nets in parks and gardens real wooden shelters and bat boxes in which to house the bats recruited to keep them away. But among mosquito eaters, in addition to bats, there are also geckos and lizards.

What to do in case of mosquito bites

A mosquito bite is annoying and causes itching, which, combined with the heat, can damage your skin. There are many specific products on the market, but in the meantime, try these: some natural remedies, like a lemon wedge, ice and aloe leaves.

Diseases related to mosquito bites

Mosquito bites almost always cause only an annoying itch, except in a few rare cases, at least in Italy. In many parts of the world, and sometimes even in our country, some species of female mosquitoes, by sucking blood, also infect their victims with the disease they carry. Some of the most dangerous diseases you can get are: Zika Chikungunya e Dengue, but also the malaria , yellow fever.

The most common symptoms are fever, fatigue, and headache. While it's important to remember that the risk of contracting the virus in Italy is very low, it's important to consult a doctor promptly if you have any concerns.

Mosquito species present in Italy

In Italy there are three most common mosquitoes: the Culex pipiens which prefers city environments and night hours, theAedes caspius who prefers coastal and flat areas to the city and the Aedes albopictus Better known as the tiger mosquito, this is the most aggressive of the three and is particularly widespread in urban areas of central and northern Italy.

Mosquitoes: Natural Remedies to Eliminate Them