How to drive away mosquitoes in the room and in the garden

In search of food, the insects stop at nothing. While the male mosquitoes are satisfied with nectar, it is the females who increasingly haunt us on mild summer nights. The blood of warm-blooded animals is important for the development of eggs. And the mosquitoes take meticulous care to promote this optimally. Thin and coarse-fibered clothing does not protect against the filigree, stinging-sucking trunk of the two-winged species. Depending on the type of mosquito and personal sensitivity, those affected react differently to the bites. In some people, there is only a slight reddening at the injection site. In other cases, the area of ​​the body swells up locally. The swelling can last for several days. Visiting a doctor is urgently recommended here.

Completely defenseless you are not at the mercy of the pests. With the right strategy and suitable measures, it is possible to put the stinging insects in their place. For example, one of the most efficient methods is to prevent female mosquitoes from laying eggs. To do this, all open vessels in which water can collect are covered with a sturdy cloth. The Bacillus thuringensis israelensis (Bti) destroys the surface tension of stagnant water, thereby removing the necessary oxygen from egg packets and larvae. In tablet form, the biological agent must be dissolved in rain barrels or ponds. The bacterium only acts on the mosquito larvae. It is completely harmless to other microorganisms and aquatic life. For smaller rain barrels, a small amount of cooking oil has proven itself.

Tip : Water games and runs in the pond bring unrest into the water. Mosquitoes avoid this area or the entire body of water is unsuitable for the larvae.

Fight mosquitoes successfully in the garden

During a barbecue party or a cozy evening with your partner, you can hardly imagine anything more annoying than being constantly surrounded by the hum of winged pests. Followed by the subliminal anxiety about being chosen as the next victim for the blood meal. There is a large number of anti-mosquito sprays on the market. Some of these are extremely effective, while other products are just a purse for the seller. For a short time, anti-mosquito sprays can provide relief from the insects.

• Before purchasing any product, read through consumer reviews and independent reviews about it.
• Anti-mosquito sprays with a high proportion of essential additives, such as a lemon concentrate, are very effective.
• Spray the agent on the affected areas of the body; caution should be exercised in contact with the face.

Retail products can provide individual protection against mosquitoes for every person. But there are other methods you can use to keep the bloodsuckers away from you and your guests. The insects are sensitive to open fire and smoke. At the same time, both components ensure that the pests cannot follow the smell of their “prey”. Burning torches in the garden illuminate your seating and barbecue area, while at the same time keeping the annoying insects at a distance.
Light sources are a sensitive issue. Anyone who often enjoys summer nights in the garden will surely know a thing or two about it. In the glow of the terrace or balcony lighting, one discovers the entire diversity of the nocturnal world of insects. In addition to butterflies, the light attracts mosquitoes. It is the color of the light that attracts the insects. Equip your light sources with yellow, orange or red LED lamps.

Effective plants

Mosquitoes avoid places with a strong scent. Take advantage of this fact and use the following plants as a terrace border:

• Lemongrass
• peppermint
• thyme
• sage
• basil
• lavender

During your stay in the garden, crush some shoots of these plants so that their essential ingredients can develop better and more intensively. Alternatively, you can dry the plants and use them as an intensely smelling smoking mixture. Sage and incense have particularly proven themselves in this campaign. A little tip to relieve the human noses: place the simmering bowls at a distance of 2 to 3 m from where you are. Not everyone can tolerate the aroma of these plants.

Tip : equip fragrance lamps with pure lemon oil. The scent evaporates slowly and effectively drives away the mosquitoes.

Geraniums and tomatoes should actively contribute to keeping the insects away with their noticeable smell. This measure is not always successful. Grow several of the beneficial plants side by side to increase the chances. Important: Make sure that the plants are similar in terms of location and care conditions.

Chemical products

In the open air you can also rely on the effective support of mosquito coils. The smoke of this biocide acts like a nerve poison, kills mosquitoes that fly too close and keeps the rest away. The mosquito coil is available from selected specialist shops. The product has proven itself when camping and when spending time on the terrace or balcony. The application is simple:

• Place the mosquito coil on a non-flammable surface.
• Light the coil.
• When not in use, the smoldering end is extinguished with water.

This way you can use the mosquito coil for between 6 to 10 hours. The chemical agent is toxic to soil and aquatic organisms. For this reason, the falling ash should be completely collected and disposed of directly with the residual waste.

Barrier for the living quarters

Spending time in the garden can be reduced to a minimum. Especially in the evenings, when the mosquitoes are active and literally pounce on anything that promises a blood-rich meal. It looks different when the flying pests haunt you in your own four walls. It is efficient and effective to make it difficult for insects to gain access from the very beginning. Fly screens on doors and windows have proven themselves for this. Whether with Velcro or with a frame – grilles and nets for the windows are available in different versions and sizes. Neither the window frame nor the wall will be damaged during installation. Positive if you live for rent. The small meshes of fly screens effectively keep mosquitoes and other crawling animals away. Recommended especially in children’s and baby rooms. In the cold season, the net can be easily removed and cleaned in the washing machine at 30 ° C. It is a myth that black fly screens warm the living space or negatively affect the view of the outside. In fact, the black material is much more inconspicuous than the white variant. The fine mesh is also ideal for tents and caravans. You don’t have to worry about the stinging pests on vacation either.

Scented oils, such as lemon or eucalyptus, have also proven themselves in the home. Dilute the oil with water and evaporate it in a bowl or special lamp. As in the garden, you confuse the insects with the scent. Special biocide vaporizers and ultrasound devices are available in stores to repel mosquitoes. The effectiveness is limited, and the chemical agents have an impact on the health of sensitive people. In many cases, seniors and children react with headaches and respiratory problems.

Tip : Combine fragrance lamps and fans. This allows the aromatic smell to be better distributed in the room.

Make it more difficult for mosquitoes to gain access in the form of strongly scented plants. What works in the garden is also good for the windowsill. Herbs such as thyme, lemongrass, mint and lavender can be kept in containers with little effort. Mosquitoes avoid this location or the ethereal scent of the plants confuses the insects’ sense of smell.

Animal helpers

You are not alone in fighting insects. A large number of animals like to eat the small bloodsuckers. In a near-natural garden, you can encourage the diversity of predators. The larvae in the pond are considered tasty food by koi and goldfish. A dense wood offers birds an ideal habitat and valuable nesting opportunities. The feathered journeymen actively contribute to reducing mosquitoes. The same applies to amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and beneficial insects such as spiders. Promote the habitat of these beneficial animals to help curb the mosquito plague during a warm, humid summer.

• Plant low-growing trees.
• Rock gardens are adopted as habitats by lizards and blindworms.
• Different species of birds gratefully accept nesting boxes.

These are just a few tips on how you can effectively promote animal diversity in your garden.

Conclusion
An annoying buzz and a prickly proboscis are the hallmarks of mosquitos. Nobody has to give their blood for the insects without a fight. Essential oils and the removal of breeding grounds put the stubborn two-winged birds in their place.