The bogeyman of balmy summer nights has six legs, filigree wings and a stubborn temper. Mosquitoes spoil our peaceful evenings outdoors and make themselves unpopular as nocturnal disturbers of the peace. A whole arsenal of effective home remedies is available to protect yourself from the penetrating tormentors. Read here which strategies you can use to effectively prevent a mosquito plague. You can find out here which natural remedies relieve painful itching.

Mosquitoes don't like strong-smelling spices

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Get rid of mosquitoes in the bedroom
  3. Make your own insect catcher
  4. DIY mosquito trap with home remedies
  5. Rub-in mosquito repellent
  6. Where are common spawn spots?
  7. Home remedies for itching
  8. Prevention with plants
  9. frequently asked Questions
  10. the essentials in brief

    • Did you know that… only female mosquitoes bite during the mating season?
    • Essential oils such as lavender, lemon, clove, citronella or tea tree oil keep mosquitoes away
    • In order to prevent true mosquito colonies, all still water sources such as stagnant water in old buckets or pots should be avoided
    • Ice cubes, onions, white cabbage or plantain can provide relief for bites

    Get rid of mosquitoes in the bedroom

    No one wants to share a bedroom with mosquitoes. Who can't sing a sad song about the penetrance with which the nocturnal disturbers upset their mischief? Sophisticated strategies are required to get rid of the winged nuisances in the sensitive environment of bedrooms and children's rooms. The following home remedies and non-toxic methods drive bold mosquitoes out of the bedroom and never to be seen again:

    • lower temperature: cool down bedrooms by ventilation or with the help of air conditioning
    • operate the fan: circulating room air repels mosquitoes
    • Essential scents: Put your favorite scent in the aroma lamp 1 hour before going to bed, blow out the candle before going to bed
    • lemons and cloves: Cut the lemon open, stud the slices with cloves and lay them out in several places
    • herbs: Put pots of basil, sage or catnip on the windowsill

    Avoid standing water of any kind in the bedroom, as this attracts hordes of mosquitoes. If green plants act as natural air filters, please do not water the plants and empty the saucer after each watering. Filled watering cans should just as little be in the bedroom as a glass of water.

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    tips

    A mosquito net completes the protection against mosquitoes. Primarily in the bedroom and children's room, a close-meshed net effectively wards off attacks from mosquitoes and completely encloses the bed or cradle. To protect your baby from mosquito bites, you should drive twice. Also attach a stable insect screen to the window frame that is impenetrable to mosquitoes.

    Tinker insect catcher yourself - instructions with home remedies

    The classic flycatcher was the inspiration for the conception of a non-toxic catching device against biting mosquitoes and penetrating flies. The following DIY instructions use home remedies that irresistibly attract annoying insects and relentlessly stick to them. This is how you can easily make an insect catcher yourself with natural ingredients:

    material

    • 1 sheet of absorbent blotting paper, preferably in a decorative color
    • Perforator
    • Cord, preferably colored and matching the color of the paper
    • kitchen brush
    • thumbtack
    • old newspaper as a base
    • Home remedies for brushing
    • sugar

    So that numerous mosquitoes head for the insect catcher and stick to it, a good household remedy is required. Maple syrup, Nutella, honey or a mix of rosin (violin resin), honey and linseed oil are excellent.

    Step-by-step instructions

    1. Cut the paper lengthways into strips 6 cm wide
    2. punch a hole at the top
    3. Cut the cord to a length of 15 to 20 cm, thread it in and knot it
    4. spread old newspaper on the table as a base
    5. Put on paper strips
    6. brush repeatedly with the selected home remedy
    7. Check the adhesive strength with your finger
    8. Mosquito catcher sprinkle with sugar and hang up

    The right paper quality is important for the best functionality. Only use absorbent paper. Smooth, surface-treated types of paper or plastic film are not suitable. The home remedy drips from such materials on the floor or on your valuable furniture within a short time.

    Honey kills mosquitoes (old German proverb).

    Make mosquito trap yourself with home remedies

    Are mosquito catchers dangling from the ceiling a thorn in your side? Then a standing mosquito trap is the solution. The following instructions explain how to build the trap yourself using effective home remedies:

    material

    • small, transparent container (empty jam jar, preserving jar, former plastic candy jar)
    • rubber band or tape
    • cling film
    • sewing needle or toothpick
    • Scissors, spoon, kitchen knife, saucepan
    • good household remedy: 200 ml water, 55 g sugar, 1 teaspoon yeast, 1 drop washing-up liquid
    • effective household remedy: 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 200-300 ml of water, 1 drop of washing-up liquid

    A good home remedy for the filling is a mixture of sugar water and yeast. The water is heated in the saucepan. Add the sugar and yeast, stirring constantly, and leave to cool. Without heating, you can make an alternative home remedy for mosquitoes from apple cider vinegar, sugar and water.

    Step-by-step instructions

    1. Clean the vessel to remove any old odors
    2. Fill in household remedies halfway up
    3. Add 1 drop of dish soap to reduce surface tension
    4. Pull the cling film taut over the edges
    5. secure the film with a rubber band
    6. Prick several times with a needle or toothpick

    The smell of the household remedy escapes through the perforated transparent film and attracts mosquitoes to their peril. In their greed for the contents, the insects squeeze through the holes and are trapped. When trying to nibble on the tempting soup, the mosquitoes sink helplessly. At intervals of one to two weeks, the mosquito trap should be tipped out and the contents renewed.

    tips

    By removing the detergent, the death trap becomes a live trap. Without dishwashing liquid, the surface tension is maintained and the mosquitoes swim around on the liquid home remedy. The insects cannot find a way out. Carry the trap outside every few days to release the captives well away from the house.

    Rub-in mosquito repellent

    Citronella is probably the most effective oil against mosquitoes

    Basically, it's quite simple: if a mosquito can't smell it, it won't bite you either. Of course, the insects apply different standards than human noses. The tormentors find the body odor of sweaty people irresistible. Likewise, they fly on carbon dioxide, which we give off through the skin and exhale. Daily showering is a tried and tested means of being imperceptible to mosquitoes. Of course, that's not enough on hot summer days, because sooner or later we still walk around sweaty and offer mosquitoes a welcome target.

    In this case, a natural rub-in home remedy is the best solution to keep mosquitoes at bay until the next shower. Essential oils such as clove, lemon, tea tree, citronella or cinnamon are attested to be effective against mosquitoes. Take three to four drops of this sparingly and mix the carrier oil with cooking oil. The use of essential oils as an effective home remedy against mosquitoes carries the risk of allergic reactions. Therefore, test the safety on a small area of skin. Important: This mosquito repellent for rubbing in is not suitable for children.

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    Only female mosquitoes bite

    As aggressive vampires, only female mosquitoes are active during the breeding and mating season. In order to produce eggs for reproduction, the females are absolutely dependent on a blood meal. In order for mosquitoes to get to the important hemoglobin, they pierce the skin with a special mouth tool and suck on the blood. Fatal side effects are itching, swelling and eczema as a result of scratched mosquito bites. In the worst case, the affected person becomes ill, because the saliva of the mosquitoes can contain various pathogens. Male mosquitoes do not bite and feed mainly on nectar and sweet plant sap.

    Where are common spawn spots?

    In the fight against mosquitoes, act according to the guiding principle: recognized danger is averted danger. To this end, potential breeding sites, both indoors and outdoors, come into focus. Initiate effective preventive measures to thoroughly spoil these locations as breeding grounds for the six-legged rabble. The following table gives an overview of where mosquitoes cavort particularly often:

    House flat garden/outdoor area
    bedroom pond
    nursery rain barrel
    kitchen in puddles
    fruit bowl in soil/potting soil
    Garbage can in horses
    in potting soil in dogs
    in dogs dustbin

    Don't wait until you're surrounded by breeding grounds, indoors and out, with myriad mosquitoes preying on you and your family. By making endangered locations unattractive for the females from March, you ward off the beginnings of a mosquito plague.

    prevent hotbeds outside

    Standing water must be avoided at all costs

    Even tiny water holes are used by female mosquitoes to lay their eggs. After each rain shower or watering, spread out any puddles that have formed on the ground with a rake or broom. Please empty small containers, flat bowls and trivets with accumulated water as soon as possible. A bird bath is cleaned weekly and refilled with fresh water.

    Cover rain barrels (53.99€) best. Effective home remedies are a few drops of washing-up liquid or cooking oil from time to time. Both substances reduce the surface tension so that eggs, larvae and small mosquitoes sink helplessly in the water of a rain barrel. This strategy is unsuitable for the garden pond because many useful insects could fall victim to it. If you install a water feature, the restless water level keeps mosquitoes from laying their eggs. The best option is settled fish or frogs, because many aquatic creatures like to eat mosquito larvae.

    Avoid breeding grounds indoors - tips & tricks

    Preventive measures against mosquitoes in the house correspond to avoidance strategies against fruit flies. Prevent damp spots in the kitchen and bathroom. Empty the trash can daily and clean the jar regularly with hot, soapy water. Wipe off sticky work surfaces with vinegar. Do not leave damp sponges or dishcloths lying around. Empty and clean your dog's and cat's feeding bowls promptly after each meal. Sort out overripe fruit from the fruit bowl or store fruit in the refrigerator.

    After leaving the house, pets are followed by insects when they enter the house. Coconut oil has proven to be an excellent household remedy for dogs to ward off approaching mosquitoes. Apply a few drops where your dog won't lick the coconut oil, such as the back of the neck. The cloud of scent turns your beloved four-legged friend into an unbearable area for mosquitoes, so that it does not transport any pests into the room.

    Home remedies relieve itching

    Cooling home remedies relieve the itching and swelling

    The silver bullet in mosquito repellent has yet to be invented. No protective measure guarantees that one or the other mosquito will not sneak through and bite. The tiny mosquito bite per se is no cause for concern if it weren't for the tormenting itching that sets in immediately. Quick action is now required to reduce itching and swelling. Scratched mosquito bites ignite in no time and leave ugly scars. These proven home remedies relieve itchy mosquito bites:

    • saliva: Lick the sting site as an immediate measure
    • ice cubes: Apply ice or a cold pack to constrict the blood vessels
    • onion: Press a sliced onion onto the mosquito bite (disinfects and reduces itching)
    • buckhorn: Shred the leaf and put it on
    • white cabbage: Tear off the leaf, grate and dab on the juice (anti-inflammatory and soothes itching)
    • vinegar: Press compress with vinegar water or apple cider vinegar on the affected skin

    Scientists have discovered that the proteins in mosquito bites break down at temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius. A warmed spoon meets the requirement as well as a cotton pad soaked with hot water. However, the risk of burns or scalds must not be ignored.

    Prevent mosquitoes with plants - this is how it works

    If selected plants adorn the windowsill, a fragrant bulwark forms against flying mosquitoes. It is primarily aromatic and herbal plants with essential ingredients that give you effective backing in the fight against brazen bloodsuckers. The following table presents recommended plants:

    Ornamental plants against mosquitoes Herbs against mosquitoes
    lavender basil
    marigold garlic
    lemon geranium rosemary
    lemongrass sage
    cloves eucalyptus
    walnut lemon balm
    lemon peppermint

    Popular herbs such as sage or rosemary should be cut regularly. After air-drying, excess clippings are ideal as a repellent against mosquitoes. Tie the dried shoots into small bouquets and place them in the bedroom, children's room or kitchen.

    frequently asked Questions

    When is mosquito season?

    From March to November mosquitoes are on the move in our regions. If the winter comes with mild weather, the pests make life difficult for us until the first frost. Especially at dusk and at night, the biting insects buzz around in search of an involuntary blood donor. Effective protection against mosquitoes is now available almost all year round in the wake of global warming.

    Countless dead mosquitoes spoil the paint on my car. Is there a good household remedy for gentle cleaning?

    Car paint stuck with dead mosquitoes can be cleaned gently with soapy water. Put the car in a shady place. Briefly soak kitchen roll or newspaper in a mixture of lukewarm water and dish soap or liquid soap. Place the wet sheets on the contaminated paintwork and leave them to work for a few minutes. You can then simply wipe off the toughest stains with a soft sponge. If the last speckles remain, repeat the process.

    Is there an effective mosquito repellent with home remedies for horses?

    The following recipe uses only natural ingredients and has proven to be an excellent mosquito repellent for horses:

    • 1 liter of black tea
    • 1 liter organic apple cider vinegar
    • 2 crushed garlic cloves
    • 1 lemon
    • 4 ml each of tea tree oil and clove oil
    • 3 to 4 liters of water
    • 1 spray bottle

    Pour black tea and apple cider vinegar into a saucepan. Squeeze the lemon and add the juice. Cut the peel into small pieces and add them to the liquid along with the crushed garlic cloves, followed by tea tree oil and clove oil. Briefly boil the mixture while stirring constantly and let the brew steep for 24 hours. The next day, strain the liquid into a large container. The concentrate is diluted with 3 to 4 liters of water and filled into the spray bottle. The self-made mosquito spray for horses is ready.

    tips

    When hordes of small mosquitoes contaminate the potting soil of indoor plants, effective home remedies provide a remedy. If you stick a few matches upside down in the ground, the sulfur they contain will reliably kill black mosquitoes. Add 10-20 drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil to every liter of irrigation water. Sprinkle the potting soil thinly with cinnamon, coffee or baking powder. Keep the substrate surface dry and water the plant from below.