Mosquitoes, those tiny buzzing creatures, have long been a nuisance and culprit for many diseases. As the warmer months approach, it’s crucial to explore ways to ward off mosquito bites and minimise their impact on our lives. In addition to traditional preventive measures like using mosquito repellent and nets, making changes to our diet and lifestyle, and utilising natural remedies can provide an extra layer of defence against these relentless pests.
Believe it or not, our diet and lifestyle choices can influence mosquito attraction. Incorporating certain foods and adopting specific habits into our routines may help reduce mosquito encounters.
Consuming citrus foods such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit, as well as garlic, may act as a natural deterrent for mosquitoes. These foods contain certain compounds that are secreted through the skin, which mosquitoes find unappealing. While the effects may vary from person to person, adding these items to your diet may provide some level of protection.
Mosquitoes are attracted to the scent of alcohol and the compounds present in sweat lactic acid and ammonia. Consuming alcoholic beverages and engaging in vigorous exercise that leads to excessive sweating can make you more attractive to mosquitoes. Limiting alcohol consumption and showering regularly can help reduce mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes are drawn to dark colours and certain fabrics. Wear light-coloured clothing, including long sleeves and pants, to make it more challenging for mosquitoes to spot you. Additionally, consider wearing loose-fitting clothing to create a physical barrier between your skin and these pesky insects.
Certain essential oils such as citronella, lemongrass and eucalyptus possess mosquito-repellent properties. Pour a few drops of these oils, some almond oil and apply them on exposed skin. However, it is essential to perform a patch test before applying to ensure no adverse reaction occurs.
Neem oil, derived from the neem tree, has been used widely as a natural insect repellent. It contains compounds that repel mosquitoes and other insects. Again, a few drops of neem oil can be added to some almond oil and applied on the skin to ward off mosquitoes.
If you’ve been bitten by mosquitoes, then mix some fresh aloe vera gel with pure and organic citronella oil and apply on the bites, as this will reduce the inflammation and itchiness too. Tea tree oil will also reduce the sting of a mosquito bite due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
In many countries, people take dried thyme leaves and burn them to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Doing this offers some level of protection.
Try out this simple and home-made mosquito repellent remedy. All you need is:
- 10 drops of natural tea tree oil
- 10 drops of neem oil
- 10 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil
- 30ml of almond oil
Mix the above in a small glass spray bottle and apply on your body at least twice a day.
Several plants while strategically placed around your living space, can act as natural mosquito repellents. Examples include citronella, catnip, basil and marigold.
While eliminating mosquitoes entirely may be impossible, adopting a comprehensive approach (spraying of regular pesticides in and around any stagnant water) to combat their menace is essential.
Incorporating mosquito-repellent foods into your diet, making lifestyle changes and utilising natural remedies provide an additional line of defence against these persistent insects. However, these methods are not foolproof and convectional preventive measure such as using mosquito repellents and nets should still be employed, to reduce mosquito encounters and enjoy the warmer months with greater peace of mind.
Perrin, The Holistic Health coach