An uncomplicated, homemade spray with three organic elements is all that's required to ward off mosquitos from your abode and skin this summer, experts voice.
The UK has in it over 30 sorts of local mosquitoes, some biting creatures and the concern that tropical diseases might become more widespread due to climate change is real. For those setting off for foreign holidays, hotter and more humid spots are rife with mosquitoes, many of which are possibly disease carriers.
According to Pat Joiner, pest control guru from Pest Gnome, a top-notch strategy to repulse mosquitoes is by confusing the human smells they are drawn to with a natural repellent made right at home from essential oils. She said: "Female mosquitoes use your breath, skin odour, and body heat to zero in and land on you. And then the bug bites you."
"The effectiveness of an essential oil bug spray to prevent such bites varies with its active ingredients, the concentration, and the species of its target. Some plants and oils were even used in ancient times."
In addition to that, it's also believed that certain odours completely overwhelm mosquitoes as these scents thwart them from picking up chemical signals that they rely on to navigate or find a potential bite-host and instinctively they keep their distance since it could imply danger is in the vicinity, The Express reports.
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How to assemble your own mosquito repellent at home
You're going to need:
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- Three tablespoons vanilla extract
- Four tablespoons of lemon juice
- An empty spray bottle
One of the best scents that will keep mosquitoes away is lavender, as it contains linalool and linalyl acetate which hinder the insects' ability to smell. Lemon juice is also a natural repellent due to its strong citrus scent that mosquitoes detest, plus it's acidic, adding to the irritation for the pests.
Vanilla extract might be effective when combined with other ingredients; its potent sweet aroma can help mask human scents from mosquitoes.
Method
To create your own mosquito repellent, start by filling an empty spray bottle halfway with boiled water. Add in the lavender oil, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Some recipes suggest mixing equal parts water and vodka, but according to Pat, this isn't necessary because the vanilla extract already contains alcohol.
Pat advised: "Add three to four tablespoons of lemon juice, three to four tablespoons of vanilla extract, and 10 to 12 drops of lavender oil to a spray bottle with distilled water (no vodka since there is alcohol in the vanilla extract)."
Shake the bottle well and spray around potential mosquito entry points like windows to keep them at bay. While lavender is generally safe around pets, it's important to note that many essential oils can be toxic to cats or dogs, so make sure to do thorough research before using them around animals in your home.
Pat added: "There may be warnings about using essential oils on certain populations, so be sure to double-check before you use your creation on your child (or even your pet). It's best to ask your paediatrician or veterinarian to be safe."
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