We are not afraid of mosquitoes!
Do you know that feeling of irritation when you're sitting on a deck chair in the summer, with a glass of cold drink, the kids are asleep, you finally have a moment to yourself after a busy day, and suddenly, somewhere nearby... a high-pitched “eeeeee.” A nightmare of a vacation in the countryside, right?
When I was in elementary school, no one complained too much about mosquitoes, we just sang “Summer! Summer with mosquitoes buzzing. Summer all the time!” I have this strange feeling that mosquito bites weren't as much of a problem back then as they are now, we didn't have as many allergies, we weren't bothered by more serious ailments. It just itched a lot for a few hours, nothing more. Nowadays, I see mosquito bites on my children's delicate skin that last for weeks. Am I being oversensitive? Maybe, but the mosquitoes of my childhood, although predatory, seemed less harmful. A change of perspective, you might say. Maybe. And yet, when I was a child, I didn't use mosquito repellents, I didn't have an armored mesh on my window that even a fruit fly couldn't get through, I was part of the mosquito food chain, and I endured it with dignity.
Our children are exposed to a large amount of chemicals in their immediate environment. We often do not even realize that by being overly concerned with hygiene and cleanliness in our homes, we are lowering our children's immunity. Currently, the basic ingredient in mosquito repellents is DEET, the concentration of which varies in cosmetic products. Interestingly, DEET is a chemical produced for the US military during the fighting in Asia during World War II. It proved to be effective in combating tropical insects, but also dangerous. Research shows that it has a negative effect on the nervous system and should not be used by pregnant women and young children.
So we can consider how to naturally eliminate or at least limit contact with pesky insects. Let's assume that the highly effective “hit it with a newspaper” method is not always advisable or feasible. If loose clothing and long sleeves are not enough to protect us from insects, let's remember that they are attracted to our sweat, sweet and fruity smells, and shade. Often, an evening shower, a change of clothes, and bright lights on the terrace are not enough. Our fight is uneven, and the bloodsucker lurking in the air will quickly make itself known. We can repel mosquitoes with the help of Mother Nature, whose weapons are primarily plants and essential oils.
Our greatest ally in the fight against mosquitoes will be essential oils: citronella, lemongrass, eucalyptus, clove, lavender, thyme, and even orange. However, we must remember a few important rules – first of all, even essential oils can cause allergies, so it is safer to use them on clothing rather than directly on the skin. Secondly, oils, especially those from citrus fruits, can cause allergic reactions when exposed to intense sunlight, so they should be avoided during hot weather. Thirdly, any preparation can cause allergies, so it is worth being careful and cautious before using it for the first time, testing it on your wrist, for example.
It is very easy to prepare a mosquito spray based on water, alcohol (vodka or spirit can be used) and essential oils. We must remember one important rule – the less alcohol, the gentler the preparation and the shorter its shelf life. On the other hand, a large amount of alcohol can irritate sensitive skin. Therefore, each time we prepare a mosquito repellent, we should consider who it is intended for and how long we want to use it.
A skin-friendly spray can be prepared by mixing approximately 100 ml of water with 50-70 drops of essential oil. The spray can be based on a single essential oil or a mixture of oils, e.g., lavender with citronella oil or eucalyptus and citronella. To increase the effectiveness of our preparation, we can replace some of the water with vodka, e.g., 70 ml of water, 30 ml of vodka, and 50-70 drops of essential oil. Due to the fact that oils do not mix with water and alcohol, the preparation should be shaken before each use.
Small spray bottles have proven to be helpful in making your own preparations for mosquitoes and other insects. I managed to find small bottles made of safe and alcohol-resistant plastic.
And how can you protect your home from mosquitoes? You can place plants on your windowsill that repel mosquitoes. These include catnip, lavender, peppermint, basil, and thyme. You'll gain twice as much, as these plants not only repel bloodsuckers but also smell wonderful. I won't hide the fact that I am a fan of lavender. I have it in BioD fabric softener, in essential oil added to the laundry, it grows on my windowsills, and recently it has even been placed in sachets in my dresser drawers. In such a lavender shelter, no mosquito will buzz at night :)
I wonder what fragrance compositions you find most effective? Have you managed to create the perfect oil-based spray? What insect-repellent plant mixtures can we put on the window? Maybe my photos from my trip in search of the perfect lavender will give you some ideas.
Best regards!