Mosquito season is in full swing. If mosquito nets on the windows and special products in the sockets do not work, try to fill the room with a natural and very pleasant scent, which will also scare away the little squeaking bloodsuckers.
Below you will find the most effective scented oils and plants that will reduce the risk of mosquito bites and protect your sleep.
Conifers
I remember when I was a kid burning spruce branches and cones to ward off mosquitoes while we were outdoors. Did you ever do that?
The fact is that mosquitoes can't stand the smell of conifers. It is not necessary to build a fire to repel mosquitoes. You can simply use essential oils of cypress, juniper, spruce and other conifers – whatever you like. Add a drop or two of the oil to the water when you wash the floor. You can also mix the oil with baby cream and apply it to your skin.
Vanilla
Insects are afraid of persistent scents, which is exactly what vanilla emanates. It repels mosquitoes for 30 minutes to several days, depending on how the remedy is prepared.
Here are a few recipes especially for you.
The easiest vanillin-based mosquito repellent is liquid. Dissolve 2 pouches of vanillin in 100 ml of warm water. Then add another 150 ml of cold water, stir and pour into a sprayer. Spray it on your clothes or skin and you will repel mosquitoes for at least two hours.
You can also use vanilla essential oil. Add it to body cream or use it pure by dripping it on your neck, wrist, inner side of your elbow.
Vanilla oil can be used to get rid of insects not only on the body but also indoors. Put a few drops on a candle and the warmth will spread the scent throughout the room. To ensure a good night's sleep, do this treatment an hour before you plan to go to sleep.
Be careful not to use vanilla sugar. Otherwise, the sweetness may attract other insects: bees, wasps, and ants.
Flowers with strong odor
Flowers with a strong scent repel mosquitoes and midges. Place geraniums on windows, light a lavender-scented candle, put chrysanthemums in a vase.
Ageratum is a beautiful plant with lilac flowers that is often used in perfumery. It can be planted in the garden or put in a vase to rid the house of bloodsuckers.
Lantana camara flowers are so powerful against bloodsuckers that the flower extract in coconut oil provides almost 95% protection.
Peppermint and Lemon balm
Peppermint and lemon balm against mosquitoes can be used in the form of phyto-pillows. Put one next to you and you will ensure yourself a peaceful and healthy sleep and scare away the pesky insects.
All varieties of mint repel mosquitoes, and there are more varieties than you think.
Catnip is another type of mint that naturally repels insects.
If you decide to rub the leaves or flowers of this plant on your skin, be careful – all the cats around you will show increased attention to you, because they just adore catnip!
Garlic
If you yourself don't mind pungent aromas, put peeled garlic cloves next to you. The smell, by the way, will not only protect you from itchy bites, but will also be an excellent prevention of colds.
If you have no contraindications to eating garlic, include it in your daily diet, and mosquitoes in company with ticks will avoid you.
One of the main qualities of garlic is its pungent, persistent smell, which is due to the presence of the sulfur-containing substance allicin. It turns out that these compounds repel blood-sucking insects. Protection is created not so much by the breath of a person who has eaten a few cloves, as by the distinctive smell of sweat. The fact is that the active components of garlic are excreted simultaneously with sweat, thus creating an insuperable barrier to insects.
Citrus
Mosquitoes also dislike citrus fruits: lemon, orange, and lime. The brighter the flavor, the fewer mosquitoes are around.
The more acid in the juice, the more effective it is. To repel mosquitoes, apply lemon juice diluted with water in the ratio of 1:1 on your skin and clothes. Not only freshly squeezed juice, but also grated citrus peels will also be effective protection.
Chamomile
Persian or Caucasian chamomile, pyrethrum, is often called the famous ancient mosquito repellent. Dried flowers affect the nervous system of mosquitoes in such a way that they are afraid even to fly close to a house where there are these flowers. Dry and place several bouquets in different parts of the house. It is believed that the insects will disappear from the house for a week.
All the plants I have listed protect people and animals from annoying insects. However, there is one thing to pay attention to. All of these plants smell strongly, which means that they can cause allergic reactions in humans. Before using them against flies and mosquitoes, make sure they are safe for you.