Mosquitoes are tiny insects, but they’re pesky, and they can actually be quite hazardous if they’re not managed. If you’re struggling with a mosquito issue in your home, knowing how to get rid of them the natural way will help you to control the problem in the long run.
Of course, to do away with mosquitoes, you can use the chemical repellents sold in insecticide stores, but you might not want to fill your home with these sorts of products. Luckily, the natural methods of getting rid of mosquitos are just as effective. Here are some of our favourite methods.
1. Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds aren’t just for making yourself a brew – they are also one of the simple home remedies that can be effective in getting rid of mosquitoes. You just need to pour a bag of coffee grounds into any stagnant water, where mosquitos like to lay eggs, in your environment.Â
When you do that, the mosquito eggs in the water will rise to the surface. This will cause them to automatically die due to oxygen depletion.
2. Camphor
With camphor, the translucent white stuff you usually get in vaporub, you will just need to close the doors and windows of the room and light up the camphor in a safe location. Leave the room for around half an hour, and once you come back, you should find all the mosquitoes present in the room dead.
3. Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is an essential oil found in the leaves and stems of different species of lemongrass. As well as smelling great, this oil is one of the best remedies for getting rid of mosquitoes, and it can be used in multiple ways. Either spray it into your room, apply it on your body, or inject it into a candle and light it up.
4. Lavender oil
Another popular aromatherapy oil is lavender oil, which mosquitos can’t stand the smell of. You can keep mosquitoes away by spraying lavender oil in the room, where it will act as a natural air freshener and ward those pesky mites away.Â
Alternatively, you can apply it to exposed parts of your body for additional protection.
5. Pinion Wood
Pinion wood is a dense, slow-growing hardwood pine that produces a smoky pine fragrance that has inspired many winter and Christmas-themed candles over the year. The added bonus is that while humans can’t get enough of the smell, mosquitos hate it.Â
When you burn pinion wood outside your house, the smell produced is powerful enough to kill any mosquito within the environment.
6. Peppermint
Peppermint has a minty smell and is used as a herbal remedy for everything from digestion relief to treating tension headaches. It can also be sprayed in an environment to prevent a mosquito invasion.Â
Feel free to spray as much as you want, as peppermint oil is completely non-toxic.
7. Rosemary
One of the simpler methods to ward off mosquitos is to gather a few stalks of rosemary and burn them in a large, fire-safe bowl. The smell produced when this plant is burnt will send away any mosquitos that are hanging around.
8. Catnip and Feverfew
You might not know much about feverfew, though you’ll be familiar with catnip if you own a certain four-legged friend! Both plants are excellent natural mosquito repellents. You can plant them in your garden to prevent mosquitoes from reproducing around your home environment.
9. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that can fight off mosquitoes remarkably. The simplest way to stay protected from mosquito bites is to mix a few drops of tea tree oil with some water or carrier oil, like coconut, and apply it to your body.
10. Garlic
The smell of garlic is usually unpleasant to mosquitoes. You’ll just need to crush a handful of garlic cloves, mix them with water to form a paste, then let it boil for a few minutes. After boiling, spray the mixture in the room to kill all the mosquitoes present.
11. Beer
Here’s an amusing natural method of warding off the mozzies – beer. Mosquitoes don’t like the smell of alcohol, so actually, any alcoholic beverage you have to hand should do the trick.Â
Just place a glass of your tipple of choice in your bedroom to keep all the mosquitoes away.
12. Eucalyptus Oil and Lemon Oil
There are so many essential oils that can be used for sending off mosquitos, and eucalyptus oil and lemon oil are yet another two. Mix the eucalyptus and the lemon oil, then apply it to your body to prevent the mosquitoes from biting you.
13. Coconut Oil and Lilac Oil
Lilac oil contains antiviral and anti-protozoan properties. Apply it to your body, mixed together with coconut oil, and you will have the best chances of keeping the mosquitos well away.
14. Dry ice
Though it’s a little more time consuming, the dry ice method of getting rid of mosquitoes is pretty effective. Just place dry ice inside a container, and over several hours, it will attract mosquitoes thanks to its carbon dioxide emissions.Â
When all the mosquitoes in your home have gathered in the container, you can close the lid and leave the trapped mosquitos to die.
Conclusion
Oftentimes, the easiest way to get rid of mosquitos is to stick to natural remedies like the ones mentioned in this video. Even with these remedies, though, if you live in a mosquito-prone area, consider also sleeping under a mosquito net and keeping your windows shut at night for extra safety.