5 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

By Charu Sareen Gujjal

Gone are the days when mosquitoes used to pester us only during the rains. They are now an ‘all-season problem’ and that too a highly annoying one. The constant buzzing, biting, and the subsequent itching caused by these tiny yet mighty creatures is highly irritating and can pose serious health hazards.

Dengue, malaria, chikungunya are some of the many diseases known to spread due to mosquitoes. Hence it’s imperative to keep our house and our environment free from these blood-sucking creatures (that spare no one.)

A lot of us turn to coils or store-bought repellents to deal with the daily mosquito menace. However, do you know most of these insecticides are high on chemicals that can further cause various health and environmental problems?

I personally avoid using these harmful repellents on a regular basis and especially do not use them for my kids who are already low on immunity. I find it much wiser to opt for natural home remedies to keep mosquitoes at bay. And there are so many everyday kitchen ingredients that can turn useful in this regard.

If you are looking for some natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes, then sharing here a few natural mosquito repellent methods that can help you with the same.

1. Use essential oils

Essential oils are known to have multiple health benefits. But do you know that they can be used as great insect repellents too? You can try these essential oils to get rid of mosquitoes.

a. Tea tree oil: It contains antibacterial properties that can help in preventing mosquito bites. The oil can be rubbed over the skin or can be added to a diffuser/vaporizer. The scent of the oil permeates the air and kills the mosquitoes in the house.

b. Eucalyptus and lemon oil: The mixture of lemon oil and eucalyptus oil is extremely effective in keeping these parasites at bay. The active component Cineole present in these oils has both antiseptic and insect repellent properties. You can mix a few drops of both and apply them to the skin.

c. Citronella Oil: Extracted from Citronella grass, this again is known to prevent mosquito bites extremely efficiently. You can use the oil in a diffuser /vaporizer or burn a citronella candle.

(Please note – not all essential oils suit all skin types. It’s always advised to first do a patch test on a small section of your skin and wait for a few hours to make sure there is no itching or burning sensation.)

2. Lemon and Cloves

This is one of the best and easiest ways to keep mosquitoes, and even flies, at bay. Just slice a few lemons into halves and insert cloves on the same. Place these around the house at different corners.

3. Garlic

This is another ‘super ingredient’ from the kitchen that can turn into a very effective home remedy to kill mosquitoes. The pungent smell of garlic can prevent mosquitoes from entering the house. Just crush a few garlic pods and boil them in water. Use the water as a repellent and spray around the house to keep it mosquito-free.

4. Camphor

Camphor has a strong scent that can work as an effective natural mosquito repellent. Just burn a piece of camphor while keeping the doors and windows shut for some time. In about thirty minutes you will notice all the mosquitoes are gone.

5. Coffee Grounds

Another simple way to control mosquitoes naturally is by using coffee grounds. Stagnant water puddles are the breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Just pour coffee grounds in the stagnant water around your house. This will prevent the spread as mosquito eggs will die off in the water due to a lack of oxygen.

Apart from the above tips, take simple preventive measures to keep your surroundings clean – eliminate standing water, maintain good hygiene levels, and keep your house tidy and clean. Also eat healthy, immunity-boosting foods (especially during the monsoon season) that can help fight against water-borne infections. Foods such as nuts, chia seeds, green leafy veggies, etc work great this regard. For my kids and family, I rely a lot on foods rich in vitamin C. I also prefer Slurrp Farm’s Jaggery Powder and Chia Seeds that not just help in strengthening the immunity but also make various dishes and snacks tasty and flavorsome.

All these above-mentioned home remedies are the easiest and most effective way to control mosquitoes naturally. So wait no more and try these out and let us know if you are successful in getting rid of those tiny blood-sucking creatures.

About the Author:

Charu Sareen Gujjal (@themomsagas) is a parenting and lifestyle blogger. She is a mom of twins and author of the e-book ‘A To Z of Parenting Twins’. She shares her parenting journey with twins along with her views on womanhood, health, lifestyle and education on her blog and social media platforms.

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