HOW TO GET RID OF MOSQUITOES AND NATURALLY HEAL THEIR BITES

The best ways to repel mosquitoes and if you don’t succeed, some tricks to heal their bites

Depending on where you live, pesky mosquitoes seem to be thriving these days in some areas of Dubai.
Even though they are all free of diseases (Dubai has been malaria free since 2007), they remain a real outdoor and indoor nuisance especially for kids who can get an allergic reaction to their bites.
Are you wondering how to get rid of them in your home?
Here is a round-up of all-natural and efficient homemade solutions to keep them out and avoid using DEET (chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), the usual but controversial go-to commercial mosquito spray.

Get Some Plants To Ward Them Off

– Citronella plant (known as the citrosum plant or mosquito plant)
– Lemon balm – it keeps them away but is an invasive specie
– Catnip (also loved by cats!) Grow these plants and place them in mosquito-prone areas it can ward off mosquitoes even though it’s the extract and oil from the bruised leaves that’s the most valuable
– Lavender to grow in small bushes
– Aromatics herbs such as rosemary, basil or mint – mosquitoes loath their smell

You can find some of these plants online on these following websites:
https://www.greensouq.ae/
Plantshop.me
https://dubaigardencentre.ae/
https://www.springrosesouq.com/

Make Your Own DIY Sprays

You can make your own spray that is safe to apply on clothes and skin

– Mix drops of Peppermint or Lavender essential oil and drops of Witch hazel (for each drop of oil, use 10 drops of Witch hazel.)
–  Mix 50ml of Neem oil + 50 ml coconut oil + a few drops Eucalyptus or Mint oil (do not use essential oils on children)

 

DIY Lotion

 

DIY Mosquito Trap With A Plastic Bottle

 

Make your own mosquito trap with a plastic bottle cut in two – add some sugar and lukewarm water.
When it cools down pour the solution into the bottom half of the bottle and add yeast.
Use some tape to hold the pieces together, leaving the top uncovered.
Place the bottle in a mosquito-prone area.
The mosquitos will fly down in the solution and drown in it.
Change the solution in the bottle every two weeks.

 

Buy Chemical Free Scented Candles

Mosquitoes are attracted to smell, body odour or sweat, however the scents that many of us find pleasant such as Lemongrass and Citronella (which are cousins) put them off.
To keep them away use Eucalyptus or Lemongrass or Citronella candles – choose chemical-free, soy-based ones created from natural essential oils.

You can find some on the links below:
https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Eucalyptus-Mosquito-Repellent-Candle/dp/B01I2NN0N0
https://palmlights.ae/product/bella-citronella-pillar-candle/
https://www.aceuae.com/en-AE/wax-works-citronella-bucket-candle/295421.html

 

Try The Classic Grandma’s Trick

Take two or three lemons or limes and cut it in two, take cloves and pour them into the halves (about 8 to 10 pieces). Place these on a plate in your room.
Mosquitoes will be kept at bay

 

If you are bitten here are some DIY relief tips that will curb the itch:

Apple Cider Vinegar
Apply and press a cotton ball imbibed with apple cider vinegar on the bites, it will help with inflammation and itching.

Cucumber slice
Slice up a cucumber and store it in the fridge, when needed hold it on the bite till you get relief.

Lemon
Apply lemon juice on the bite before you get itchy and avoid sunlight afterward as it might blister

Aspirin
Wet and crush an aspirin and rub into the bite, the salicylic acid will reduce the itching and swelling.

Honey
Honey is an antiseptic and antibacterial ingredient that also has wound healing properties. It should reduce inflammation and stop infection.

Apply aloe vera
Cut the leaf of the aloe vera plant and apply the inside pulp directly on the bite to soothe any itchiness.

Garlic
Dilute minced garlic with coconut oil and apply that to the affected area for a few minutes.

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