Mosquitoes buzzing in your ears aren’t just irritating, they are also a health nuisance, carrying serious diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. What’s more annoying is that some of these blood suckers seem to have become resistant to repellent sprays and burning sticks.
This World Mosquito Day, let’s explore ways to get rid of mosquitoes at home more safely and effectively than just slapping them. Also, learn how to soothe those itchy welts that mosquito bites leave.
Scroll down to make your home and mosquito-free zone!
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes at Home Naturally
According to the NIH, some species of mosquitoes have become highly resistant to insecticides, making it challenging to reduce both mosquito numbers and the transmission of diseases.
To control them, more potent and higher concentrations of insecticides need to be used, which have adverse effects on human health.
If you want to avoid harsh chemicals, sprays, or the suffocating coil fumes, you can switch to the following natural remedies that may help deter mosquitoes from hovering around you:
- Apply Neem Oil: The pungent odour of neem oil can work as a natural repellent for various types of insects, including mosquitoes. Mix it with coconut oil and apply to exposed skin.
- Burn Camphor: Natural fumes of camphor can drive away mosquitoes without causing breathing difficulty. To do this, close all windows and doors, and light a camphor in a small bowl.
- Plant Mosquito-Repelling Herbs: Herbs like citronella grass, lavender, marigolds, basil, and mint are known for their ability to keep mosquitoes away. Keeping them near windows and balconies can help; however, using their essential oils is found to be more effective.
- Use Garlic Spray: Crush a few garlic cloves, boil them in water, and store them in a spray bottle. Spray in mosquito-prone areas.
Meanwhile, while you’re working on how to get rid of mosquitoes at home, it is best to prevent them from breeding more. Learn more in the next section.
How to Prevent Mosquito Breeding at Home
Mosquito presence usually takes over during the monsoon when collected water makes a perfect breeding point for them. It is better to prevent them from breeding and multiplying.
To stop mosquitoes from multiplying, you need to know where do mosquitoes breed?
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, which can be found in:
- Buckets and drums
- Flower pot trays
- Clogged drains
- Birdbaths
- Open water tanks
- Earthen pots with drinking water
You can take the following measures to prevent these bugs from breeding:
- Change water in flower vases every two days.
- Keep drains clean and unclogged.
- Cover water storage containers.
- Fill up potholes or pits around your home where water accumulates.
Preventing stagnant water from breeding mosquitoes in your home is an effective way to significantly reduce their population.
If there are significant mosquitoes in your area, it is best to keep your doors and windows closed, install mesh screens on the doors, and sleep inside mosquito nets to stay safe all night.
How to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites Overnight
Sometimes, no matter how much you try, you might still get bitten. The itching might be so intense that you end up scratching your skin red with mild bruises.
Here’s how to reduce swelling and itchiness from mosquito bites quickly:
- Ice Pack: Rub ice for 10 minutes on the area to numb it and reduce swelling.
- Apply Aloe Vera Gel: It provides a cooling sensation and helps soothe irritation.
- Honey: Packed with anti-inflammatory properties, honey helps heal faster.
- Baking Soda Paste: Neutralises the itch when applied for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Antihistamines: These anti-allergy drugs help reduce the bite itch by limiting the immune system’s response to the bite.
How to Get Rid of Mosquito Bite Scars
Persistent scratching can leave marks on the skin that can turn into scars that fade slowly. You can get rid of these scars quickly in the following ways:
- Apply lemon juice to the skin. Its natural bleaching effect can lighten scars.
- Massage coconut oil on the scar to keep the skin moisturised and support healing.
- Using vitamin E oil is also known to boost antioxidants in the skin, reduce scars, and improve skin texture.
- Rubbing aloe vera gel helps promote skin regeneration and soothes itching.
Read More: Exploring Mosquito Bite Allergy: What You Need to Know
To Sum Up
If you want to know how to get rid of mosquito at home naturally, you can use natural repellents made from plants. You also need to prevent their breeding by removing water collection around your home. These small daily actions can keep your home mosquito-free and help you enjoy peaceful, bite-free evenings all year round.
