Plague of hot summers and tropical zones, mosquitoes poison our lives. To protect your summer evenings, your nights and your skin from these unwanted insects, discover our 100% natural mosquito repellent tips and recipes.
Our mild summer evenings or trips to the tropics can easily be spoiled by the hostile presence of the mosquito. There are many chemical or technological repellents to try to escape their bites but they are not without risks for our health and that of the environment. Most mosquito repellents contain DEET (Diethyl Toluamide), a powerful repellent chemical that can, in high doses, cause harmful reactions on the skin and on the nervous system. It also deteriorates the plastic elements (watch, bracelet, glasses …). So to avoid these inconveniences, it is better to use natural solutions. They will effectively repel mosquitoes while preserving your health and the environment.
Before going any further, let's try to better understand the mosquito, this invasive insect.
Why does the mosquito bite?
To be more precise, it's the female mosquito that bites us. It comes to our blood for the proteins it needs to allow its eggs to mature. It will rather bite us at night, at dawn or at dusk because these are the times when it best smells of body odors.
She is too attracted by the emission of CO2, which explains why children who emit less are also less affected. Conversely, pregnant women who expire on average 20% more carbon dioxide will be more prone to bites.
Other factors favor the attraction of the mosquito for our skin like our blood group, mosquitoes prefer groups A and O, our skin microbiota, in particular that of the ankles and feet, our sweat … So there are many mosquito skins but their propensity to attract mosquitoes varies a lot from one species to another. There are more than 3500, more or less voracious in the world, with each their preference.
It is at the time of the bite that the female rejects an anticoagulant saliva which causes in men an inflammatory reaction, the famous itchy button. Unfortunately this is not the only annoyance that the mosquito transmits. It can also be a carrier of more or less dangerous diseases for humans (Zika, Malaria, chikungunya, yellow fever, dengue …) It is therefore strongly recommended to avoid its proliferation and to try to preserve it as much as possible.
So here are the anti mosquito remedies and solutions to set up at home and outside.
Place lemon and cloves near the bed
Among grandma's tricks, lemon and cloves have their effect. They have a smell that repels the mosquito. It won't bother you if you drop it a little near your bed.
Rub the skin with fresh lemon balm leaves
Another natural remedy with proven effectiveness is to rub the skin with fresh lemon balm leaves. This risk-free remedy is completely suitable for pregnant women, babies and children.
Growing fragrant plants
To scare away mosquitoes in your garden, put fragrant plants. Basil, lavender, rosemary, peppermint are all plants that keep the mosquito away. Placed in the windows of your house, they discourage him from entering it.
Another plant that mosquitoes hate is geranium pelargonium citronellum. Its lemongrass scent is an excellent mosquito repellant.
Use essential oils
Essential oils have many therapeutic properties and the odors given off by some make excellent mosquito repellents.
You can spread them in the form of a candle, incense sticks, a spray or using an essential oil diffuser.
You can also put a few drops on your pillow or on your skin, but be careful, some oils are allergenic and not suitable for everyone. Avoid using it if you are pregnant or for your baby. It may be necessary to mix them with a little vegetable oil (sweet almond or coconut oil) before applying it to the skin.
Among the most effective essential oils against mosquitoes there are: essential oil of ylang ylang, lemongrass, niaouli, lemon eucalyptus
Burn coffee grounds
Coffee grounds have more than one asset in their bag. In addition to being an excellent fertilizer for your plants and a repellent for harmful insects, it is also an effective mosquito repellent. To do this, just dry it and burn it with a match outside. The smoke will chase away the mosquitoes.
And also: invest in a mosquito net
Indoors, it is the most effective product.
Put them on the windows to enjoy the coolness of the night with peace of mind or around your bed.
You can increase your chances of success by also installing a fan near your sleeping area. The air will hinder the flight of the mosquito which will move away from itself.
Remove standing water
It is essential to remove all sources of standing water in your garden or on your terraces and balconies: planters, saucers, uncovered water reserves, gutters … These are mosquito nests. The females lay their eggs there which develop in mass. It is particularly necessary to be vigilant at the arrival of the beautiful days to avoid the proliferation of mosquitoes and in particular the tiger mosquito which invades Europe in summer. He is the most voracious of all (he bites us even during the day).
Wear long, tightly woven, light-colored clothes
To limit the affected areas, wear clothes with a tight weave, preferably cotton to avoid getting too hot.
To spot its prey, the mosquito would also use sight and would be particularly sensitive to dark colors such as black, navy blue and red. So prefer clear clothes.
Wash more often
We have seen that mosquitoes are attracted by sweat but also by the smell of perfume. It is therefore advisable to wash before your evening under the stars. You can apply talc on your body after you shower to limit sweating. This will also leave your skin feeling very soft.
Brush with Monoï oil
In Polynesia, mosquitoes are voracious and to avoid being bothered by their bites Polynesians brush themselves with Monoï. In addition to its many skin benefits, the monoi will annoy the mosquito. It will be all the more effective if it has been soaked in lemongrass or ylang ylang. A recipe that combines the useful with the pleasant.
Monoi oil from Tahiti, 100ml – 100% Pure and Natural, € 18.99, for sale on Amazon
Soothe bites
If despite all these solutions you have been a victim of a mosquito bite, here are some remedies to soothe the itching:
- Immediately clean the bite with Marseille's soap. Marseille soap has disinfectant but also anesthetic properties.
- Apply cider vinegar. It is both repellent against mosquitoes and soothing against itching
- Make a poultice ofGreen clay. Green clay has soothing properties. Mix it with a little water and apply the paste obtained on the button. You will be immediately relieved. You will find this product in organic stores
- Massage the button with a ice Cube. Like the bruises, the ice cube anesthetizes the pain. The urge to scratch disappears immediately.
The essential products:
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