Mosquitoes are the most stubborn and unwelcome guests in our desi households. Every summer evening marks the beginning of a duel, and falling asleep with their relentless buzzing is a task. If you can relate to this machchar mania, we know you dream of a mosquito-free existence. And while the coils and store-bought repellents might be one way to go, they’re extremely toxic for us as well. Here are a few natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes at home.
1. Invest in some repellent plants and essential oils
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Indoor repellent plants are a great option to get rid of mosquitoes, and there’s no dearth of them either. You can try marigold, catnip, tulsi, lemongrass, mint, and citronella among many others. While these can be kept anywhere around the house, make sure to have them near your entrances. Alternatively, you can diffuse their scents using essential oil extracts. Citronella oil is extremely effective.
2. Crack open a cold one
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No, we don’t expect you to make mosquitoes your beer buddies. In fact, mosquitoes despise the pungent smell of beer and other alcohol, and keeping a glass full of it in a room can keep them away.
3. Garnish with garlic
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Repeated human exposure to strong bug sprays can trigger a host of respiratory and skin diseases. But a simple homemade garlic spray can help you get rid of mosquitoes without such disastrous consequences. Just boil some crushed cloves of garlic in water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray this concoction into the nooks around your house and watch all the mosquitoes fall to their fates.
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4. Light up some camphor
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Camphor, or kapur as we know it in India, is an age-old remedy for infestations and ailments alike. It works like a charm to drive out mosquitoes and other bugs and insects as well. All you need to do is light a block of camphor and diffuse it around your house. Alternatively, you can place a piece of camphor in a bowl of water and keep it in the room that you wish to drive out mosquitoes from.
5. Prevention is better than cure
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The best way to ensure that you don’t have to deal with a mosquito menace is to stop them from entering and breeding in the first place. Mosquitoes tend to enter indoor spaces towards the evening, so make sure that you keep your windows and doors closed around this time. If that’s not possible, then at least ensure that your windows are netted. These pesky creatures breed in water, so you should be vigilant of any stagnant drains and ditches around your house and get them cleaned regularly. The same goes for the puddles of water that your ACs might create outside the house.
Though most mosquito bites are harmless, the risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria, dengue, chikungunya etc. is still prevalent. We hope that these non-toxic tips will come in handy in your fight against mosquitoes and help you get rid of them ASAP. And if all else fails, you can always practise your tennis swings with a trusty old mosquito racket in hand.
Related: 8 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Lizards From Your Homes
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