In 1897 Sir Ronald Ross began to study the mosquito’s involvement with malaria. It was proven that mosquitoes carried the disease to the human population. West Nile Virus surfaced in 1999 and again, it was the mosquito that helped to spread the virus. Mosquitoes continue to be a threat today. The chemical repellent called DEET is effective at repelling the pesky insects, but there is evidence that DEET causes mild to severe reactions in some people and should not be used around children at all.
Prevention
There are alternatives to chemical deterrents. The first alternative is prevention. It is very hard to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, but some preventative measures will keep the population down. Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water and only need 1 tablespoon to hatch a bunch of eggs in seven to ten days. Make sure there is no standing water anywhere around the house and garden including in clogged gutters, in tree cavities or in fountains or ponds. Add Bacillus thuriniensis, also called Bt, a bacteria that kills mosquito larva. It comes in doughnut shaped disks to be thrown in ponds or fountains that have standing water. Ponds with fish have less breeding ground because the fish gobble up the larva and adult mosquitoes. Having chickens, ducks or geese also brings mosquito population down because they also eat them. The best animal to have around to control population is the bat so put up bat houses on the property to attract them.
Citronella
Citronella candles have been used for a long time to deter mosquitoes from picnic grounds and patios. Citronella comes from a tropical plant that smells like lemon. The oil is extracted from the plant and put into candle wax. As the candle burns it emits the scent which is supposed to get rid of mosquitoes. It does a pretty good job at 50 percent.
Mosquito Plant
The mosquito plant is a citronella scented geranium or Pelargonium. Some say the plant works and others say it does not. It may keep some mosquitoes away and others will ignore its lemony scent.
Other Plants
Lemon balm has a strong lemon scent and grows easily. Plant it around the patio to keep mosquitoes away. Catnip has also been found to repel the insect, but it may attract cats. Crush fresh leaves of lemon balm, catnip, basil or lemongrass and rub them on the skin for protection. The herb tansy is another mosquito deterring plant that when planted around the patio will keep mosquitoes at bay.
When a mosquito bite raises and itches, put regular table salt on it. It will sting but the swelling and itching will go away almost immediately.
Sources
- “Mother Earth News” Magazine: Outsmarting Mosquitoes
- Apartment Therapy: Household Pest Control
- Annie's Remedy: Insect Repellents
Deborah Harding - Deborah Harding has developed recipes, worked with herbs and written home school curriculum for over 20 years.
