How to repel mosquitoes naturally

RachelMay 26, 2014

12 3 minutes read

As summer arrives so too do the mosquitoes. In the past they were a nuisance only in the evening. Unfortunately, in recent years, they pester us during the day time too…. and it’s getting worse year after year! For example, in several European countries, since the arrival of the dreaded Asian tiger mosquito in 2004, day time mosquitoes have been found in countless countries.

Mosquitoes tend to breed quickly in areas of stagnate water. These insects are very aggressive and are potential disease carrier, their favorite preys are children, because children are easily located by their high metabolism and they move around all the time.

Numerous studies in chemistry, biochemistry and medicine have highlighted that the chemicals used for repelling mosquitoes are toxic to animals, people and plants and they weaken our defense mechanisms.

It is, therefore, necessary to use different methods to repel mosquitoes naturally. You should choose a product which is more respectful to human health and nature. The most effective method, of course, is prevention, monitoring the larvae of mosquitoes. Also remember that you can keep them out of your home with reletively simple methods, such as magnetic mosquito nets.

How can we protect ourselves without harming nature or weakening our own defences? Here are some natural remedies that we can use to repel the invading insects.

We can fight them primarily with what are called Ovitraps. This works by creating false ideal reproduction places for mosquitoes and can be deadly for them. We know that the female mosquito is attracted to stagnated water as it is a food source for her small larvae. The idea of the Ovitrap is to make a trap out of these nesting places.

Ovitraps are medium sized (12cm x 8cm), black plastic vases. They are to be filled with water and a hardboard plate is hung inside. Tiger mosquitoes will then lay eggs in these containers. The special configuration of Ovitraps mean that larvae born will remain trapped in a closed compartment; this will ultimately interrupt the life cycle of the insects.

Mosquitoes proliferate in sewers. Disinfecting sewers costs a governments a lot of money. To fight mosquitoes in urban areas we can cover sewer manholes with a fine mesh designed to drain rainwater, but prevent access to mosquitoes. In this way the insects cannot access the stagnant water and will not need to use chemical larvicide after each downpour.

For water stagnation in small areas, other convenient and environmentally friendly solutions can be used. A product based on Bacillus thuringiensis, a larvicide can destroy the cells of the larval gut. It can be bought in pharmacies. However, you must repeat the treatment frequently.

A similar solution is to use an enzyme that, by reacting with the limestone in the water creates a film that prevents larvae from breathing and from adults laying their eggs. This enzyme is of vegetable origin and does not contain hazardous substances. It also remains active even if the area should dry out.

It is also possible to keep goldfish in tanks and garden fountains, as this is a good method to exterminate the insects “quills.” Goldfish feed on mosquito larvae.

A homeopathic solution to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes is to use Wild Rosemary Marsh, a plant also known as wild rosemary. It has qualities that repel mosquitoes. Its extract can be also used as a homeopathic remedy.

Oral administration of homeopathic tablets can change the smell of our sweat, making it unpleasant to mosquitoes, although this is imperceptible to humans. We recommend that you to put a tablet under the tongue 3-4 times a day. You will have to wait a few days to see the effects.