The swelling, the uncontrollable itching, and the redness that comes with a mosquito bite, is very, very irritating. You need to be careful, particularly if you have kids at home, as mosquito bites can invite various health issues. To avoid such problems, let us get to learn 16 easy mosquito control methods for your home in Singapore.
1. Dry ice
Do you know that the carbon dioxide we exhale draws mosquito? Dry ice emits lots of carbon dioxide, and thus we can use this as a remedy to control mosquito. All you need to do is, keep some dry ice in a container, and place it somewhere at a distance. Let it stay there for sometime, and after you see mosquitoes are attracted towards dry ice and trapped in the container, close the lid. This indeed can take a lot of your time, but it is one of the safest and most effective ways to control mosquitoes.
2. Mosquito traps
You may buy a mosquito trap from a nearby store, or even make one at home. To make a mosquito trap, you require a plastic bottle, which you need to cut into half. Now, take a bowl with hot water, add brown sugar into it, and mix well. When this mixture cools down, pour it into the bottom half of the cut bottle, and then add a little yeast into it. Next, place the upper part of the bottle in upside down direction over the lower part, Wrap the bottle with a black tape, keeping the top portion uncovered. Keep this homemade mosquito trap in a mosquito prone area, and it will help you get rid of those little creatures. Make sure to change this solution once in two weeks.
3. Coffee grounds
Yet another mosquito control tip is making use of coffee grounds. You just need to sprinkle coffee on stagnant water present anywhere near your house. Any mosquito eggs that are present in the water will automatically come to the surface, and after they reach the surface, they will not get the much-needed oxygen. Thus, they will be killed even before they hatch, and this way you will be able to prevent mosquito growth.
4. Garlic
Garlic has a very strong smell, which many people dislike. You would be glad to know that mosquitoes too abhor the smell of garlic, and thus this can prove to be a great remedy. Take a few cloves of garlic, crush them, and boil the crushed garlic in water for a while. Pour this liquid into a bottle, and spray it in your room. Mosquitoes are soon going to be killed.
5. Camphor
Camphor is also a very popular home remedy to get rid of mosquitoes. You simply need to close all windows and doors of your room. Now, light camphor, and let it stay for about half an hour. Go back to your room, and you will be glad to see no mosquitoes present at all.
6. Citronella candles
Citronella essential oil is an effective mosquito repellent, and you can make candles using this oil to keep mosquitoes at bay. You just need to follow the normal candle making procedure, and add few drops of citronella oil to the melted wax. Once your candle is set, you can keep them anywhere in your room, light them, and enjoy a mosquito free environment.
7. Keep plants on balconies and windowsills strategically
Pyrethrum and citronella, which is used in many commercially sold insect repellents, are available naturally in marigolds and citronella plant. If you cultivate these mosquito-repelling plants, and also others like basil, lavender, and lemon balm in window pots, they can help keep mosquitoes at bay. The natural smell that these plants emit acts like a barrier, which the mosquitoes will not be able to cross, and thus will not invade your home.
8. Install screens on doors and windows
Installing good quality screens on all your exterior doors and windows is a perfect mosquito control method. Make sure to check these screens time to time for any tears and holes, to ensure that you always stay protected from these pesky little creatures.
9. Use aromatherapy burner
You can warm essential oil over a tea candle as an effective way to repel mosquitoes. Eucalyptus oil is a perfect choice if you do not like the strong smell of citronella. Eucalyptus oil has its own antiseptic and medicinal qualities, and has long been known to be a miticide and insecticide.
10. Use neem oil
You can also apply mosquito repellents to keep yourself completely protected. Neem oil is completely natural, will keep you safe, and is also beneficial for your skin. Just add few drops of neem oil to coconut oil and apply it on the exposed parts of your body.
11. Perfume your house with natural oils
Human fragrance attracts mosquitoes. As already mentioned, when you exhale, you release carbon dioxide and certain chemicals, which attract these little creatures. You can spray some naturally extracted perfume in your home to keep mosquitoes away. If citronella is not something you like, you may even opt for penny royal or lavender. You may even crush lemon balm leaves and apply it on your skin to keep yourself protected.
12. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is yet another effective oil that helps keep mosquitoes away owing to its antifungal and antibacterial properties. You just need to combine few drops of tea tree oil with a little water, and apply this mixture on the exposed areas of your body.
13. Get rid of standing water
You must be aware of the fact that mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. So, it is very important to avoid water collecting in your nearby areas. Standing water includes pet water bowls, puddles, and bird baths. Also, make sure your gutters drain properly, and empty any place where water collects.
14. Eat more garlic
If you eat lots of garlic, garlic oil is released from your skin pores. This oil will act like a barrier between your skin and the mosquitoes.
15. Use electric fan
Mosquitoes are not good flyers, and even if you set your fan on low, it can easily keep these creatures away.
16. Lemon with cloves
Even though there is no scientific reason behind this, but many people have claimed to see a difference using the lemon-clove remedy. Cut a lime into half, pierce cloves all over the surface, and keep it any mosquito prone area.
Even if you see a mosquito or two in your home, it is time you employ any of these mosquito control methods without wait. Never ignore these little creatures, as they not only cause redness, itching, and irritation, but also can open doorways to health problems.
