Unfortunately, though, for some of us just one pesky mosquito can sometimes be too much and once it’s made contact we’re on a mission to blast it out of our lives by spraying one of those bug sprays based with the chemical DEET.
DEET has been widely used in repellents for decades but is known to cause serious health issues.
That’s why alternative eco-friendly means of mosquito control need to be implemented, even in winter.
In general the first way to counteract mosquitoes is to prevent them from breeding. This usually means making sure water isn’t standing idle because warmth and moisture are keys to a new generation springing up.
In the winter homes can end up being warm places for many bugs hiding out in the walls and under the floors until spring. When it comes to indoor mosquito prevention keep moisture and warmth such as a bowl of water in a heated basement or attic from sitting too long.
However, when preventative measures have failed and a winter mosquito is already driving you crazy take a few things into consideration to help you through the process:
- Use herbs: Mosquitoes have an ardent sense of smell meaning sweet smelling perfumes and scents will attract them and aromas from cloves, garlic, and a host of other herbs such as basil, lavender, and of course citronella won’t.
- Essential oils: Essential oils made from herbs and mixed with a combination of vinegar or alcohol works as a repellent. When being active essential oils should be reapplied every one and a half hours or so and pregnant woman should consult a doctor before applying them.
- Cover up: In the summer you can ward off mosquitoes by covering up exposed skin. Take this into consideration when there is a heat wave in December which is when the low-key winter mosquito will most likely be out for a cruise.
- Natural predators: Though this probably wouldn’t go in most people’s homes another solution for eradicating the mosquito population requires introducing one of their natural predators such as the dragon fly into the local environment. Dragon flies will eat the mosquito population down to nothing but as spectacular as they are you probably don’t want them buzzing around during your Sunday morning breakfast or when you’re just trying to have some peace and quiet.
