Millions of mosquitoes attacked Yekaterinburg. Here are six extreme methods for mosquito protection:
In early June, a swarm of mosquitoes typically appears. But fear not, for the numbers will soon diminish, leaving fewer of these pesky insects in July, according to a scientific researcher from the Institute of Ecology of Plants and Animals at UrO RAN, Lubov Nekrasova.
"Your only salvation is to defend yourself and wait. The population will decrease significantly, and there will be far fewer mosquitoes in July," she added.
Unconventional Ways to Fend Off Mosquitoes
While traditional methods of mosquito defense include repellents and fumigants, there are hidden gems that are equally effective yet natural:
- Mosquitoes detest the smell of pine needles, so you can drive them away from your campfire with pine cones or pine needles. The scent is pleasing to humans, but mosquitoes cannot stand it and try to avoid it. Dry cones burn better and produce more smoke. Just make sure not to build your fire in prohibited areas.
- Garlic can act as a natural repellent for mosquitoes due to its strong smell, which repels insects. Allicin, a compound found in garlic, masks the human scent that mosquitoes detect, making it difficult for them to locate us.
- Tar and Vanilla Essential Oils, available at pharmacies and online marketplaces, are recommended by senior researcher at the Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Aquatic Ecology at Perm State University Andrei Krashinnikov. Lavender and Eucalyptus Oils also prove helpful; a few drops should suffice.
- A single bat can consume up to 2,000 mosquitoes in a single night. If you live on a country plot, you can buy a bat house.
- Some flowers are less attractive to mosquitoes and make better alternatives. Testing has shown that mosquitoes react more to the longer wavelengths of light produced after human breathing. These include red, orange, black, and blue colors. Mosquitoes are almost indifferent to the green, blue, and purple hues of clothing[2].
- Utilize insecticide lamps and outdoor traps. Lamps attract insects with UV light. Once a mosquito flies towards them and lands on the metal mesh, they perish due to electrical shock. Outdoor traps also lure insects with carbon dioxide gas and heat.
Mosquitoes primarily enter homes through open windows and doors. Hang a screen on your windows, and use dense curtains on your doors. For nighttime, plug in a fumigator - the heat generated by special plates causes insecticides to evaporate in the air, causing a nerve paralysis in mosquitoes.
The Dangers of Mosquitoes
While mosquitoes are undoubtedly annoying, They can also be dangerous to your health. Besides causing common discomforts, their bites can lead to serious allergic reactions, such as the Quincke Edema, which requires immediate medical attention.
Constant scratching of mosquito bites opens the door to bacterial infections, potentially causing local swelling or even serious blood infection. However, the biggest danger lies in mosquitoes being carriers of diseases like tularemia and dirofilariasis, as well as some viral fevers [3].
Sources:
[1] https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/insect-repellents-9-254/
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/life-cycle/index.html
[3] https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ejm/pubs/mosq/mosquer.htm
[4] https://www.countryliving.com/life/g10263235/natural-mosquito-repellents/
- Instead of relying on traditional methods, consider using natural repellents such as garlic, tar and vanilla essential oils, lavender oil, and eucalyptus oil to ward off mosquitoes.
- Not only do bats make effective natural mosquito control, consuming up to 2,000 mosquitoes per night, but you can also provide a home for them by installing a bat house if you live in a rural area.
- Planting flowers that are less appealing to mosquitoes, like those with red, orange, black, and blue hues, can help reduce mosquito activity around your home.
- In addition to hanging screens on windows and using densely woven curtains on doors, consider using insecticide lamps and outdoor traps to further reduce mosquito populations.
- Mosquito bites can lead to more than just itchy welts. Allergic reactions, bacterial infections, and potentially serious diseases such as tularemia, dirofilariasis, and viral fevers can all result from mosquito bites.
