Mosquito Bites, What To Do To Avoid Them?
Mosquitoes are quite tedious pests, not only because of what their bite bothers, but also because of the possible allergic reactions or diseases that they can transmit . You can take precautions to avoid mosquito bites with some homemade and natural tips and tricks to scare them away.
Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that the body releases when breathing, in addition to the heat and humidity of it. These insects are guided by their excellent sense of smell to select where they will sink their ‘teeth’, which are nothing more than a kind of very thin mouthparts.
Taking into account this detail, it would be necessary to see which aromas they prefer and with which they feel repelled. Here are some recommendations to avoid their bites.
Smells that attract mosquitoes
The chemicals in the human body work like radar for these tiny insects. Mainly, they sniff out ammonia, lactic acid, and carboxylic acids. In fact, the Aedes Aegypti species of mosquito , which is considered a carrier of viruses such as yellow fever or dengue, cannot resist lactic acid.
For their part, species such as the Anopheles Gambiae —malaria mosquito—, more frequently approach those who accumulate sweat for several days. That is why those who cannot access proper hygiene will be more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes.
Another type of population susceptible to mosquito bites are pregnant women, especially in the last stage, since they exhale more carbon dioxide. Future moms are especially vulnerable to these bites, and they should be cautious.
Scents to repel mosquito bites
Although some people have a genetic shield to repel mosquitoes, the truth is that most of us must prevent and combat these annoying insects. In the summer, the slightest sweat on the skin brings mosquitoes closer. However, there are scents and plants that drive them away.
Some plant species such as sage, which is antimicrobial, is effective as a natural repellent against mosquito bites. Others are thyme, cinnamon, eucalyptus or cumin. Eucalyptus oil is especially recommended for use on long walks outdoors.
Household and hygiene tips to keep mosquitoes away
- Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Therefore, there is no need to have a single forgotten bucket of water or garbage in the house. Neither accumulate debris, leaves, wood or have disused objects piled up, since in their holes they could hide during the day and come out when the sun goes down.
- Mosquito bites mainly happen at dusk and dawn. At those times, care must be redoubled, especially for children.
- Showering at least twice a day would be ideal to avoid attracting these insects too much. Likewise, it is necessary to avoid too dark tones in the clothes, since they are his favorites.
- In tropical, mountainous areas or near water sources, it is best to use mosquito nets for the crib or bed. If the mosquito net has a small hole, it is likely that the solution will end up being worse than the remedy, so it is essential to check every night that there are no breaks.
Smells and effective products as repellants
- For windows, mosquito nets can be sprayed with permethrin or eucalyptus oil.
- The most effective and safest repellants for mosquito bites are those that contain diethyltoluamide (DEET), a component endorsed by the World Health Organization.
- Mosquito traps : By placing citrus dish soap in a bowl, mosquitoes will flock to the trap. They also like beer very much. Dry ice is another trap they love; This element releases a large amount of carbon dioxide, one of its favorite aromas.
- To drive away mosquitoes, several tricks can be performed. For example, mix yeast, sugar and water in a container. On the other hand, citronella or boiled garlic will make them escape. Other anti-mosquito scents are camphor and mint.
In conclusion, it is a good idea to always prepare to prevent mosquito bites, whether at home or outdoors. In this sense, the most convenient thing is to reduce the number of insecticides and bet on homemade solutions, which do not end up poisoning the whole house.
