The sound of buzzing is never a good sign, as it usually comes from an annoying insect or bug.
While the buzz of a bee makes us run for our life, the buzz of a mosquito just vexes us and increases our blood pressure.
Not only do mosquitoes bite us, but they can also cause deadly diseases like dengue or malaria.
This godforsaken insect must be kept at bay, and the good news is that it is easy to do so, even with the help of some common kitchen ingredients.
So here is a list of ingredients you can find in your kitchen that can also double as a mosquito repellent.
1. Mouthwash
Well, this is more of a toilet ingredient than a kitchen ingredient, but it works as a mosquito repellent nonetheless. Most mouthwashes have mosquito repelling compounds like thymol, menthol, and eucalyptol, along with a good dose of ethanol. Together with the compounds, alcohol (ethanol) not only gives off a strong taste, but it also gives off a pungent smell that keeps mosquitoes away. Just spray some mouthwash in an around your house.
2. Lavender oil
Lavender oil has a dual functionality. Along with repelling mosquitos, it has a calm and soothing effect on us. The oil contains compounds like eucalyptol, camphor, limonene, and linalool, all of which are natural mosquito repellents. Just a few drops are enough to ward off an army of mosquitoes. Mix it with some coconut oil and apply directly on skin.
3. Garlic
Garlic contains allicin, a compound that displays repellent action against mosquitoes. Moreover, it has a strong smell that drives mosquitoes away. To make a repellent out of garlic, crush a few garlic cloves in a liter of water and simmer on low heat to transfer essential oils to the water. Turn the flame off and let the liquid cool, then strain the liquid and dispose the garlic chunks.
4. Cloves and lemon
Cloves contain eugenol, a mosquito repelling compound, and also release a strong aroma. Add that to the sour and distasteful flavour of lemon, and you’ve got a foolproof mosquito repellent. Cut a lemon in half, and insert a few cloves in each half, and place anywhere you desire. You can also use clove oil on your body for a similar effect. Mix the oil of these two along with some coconut oil and apply on your skin.
5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon oil contains four compounds, eugenol, anethole, cinnamyl acetate, and cinnamaldehyde, which exhibit mosquito repelling properties. To make a repellent with cinnamon oil, simply add ten drops of oil to 40 milliliters of water and mix the liquid, then apply on the exposed areas of your body.
6. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is powerful mosquito repelling base itself, and can work as a catalyst to increase the mosquito repelling effects of other ingredients. By itself, ACV can be used as a drink to keep mosquitoes away from your skin. Simply add two tablespoons to 450 millilitres of water, and add honey to sweeten it. As a catalyst, mixing it with baking soda causes a reaction that releases carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes, after which you can trap and kill them.
Takeaway
A lot of research has gone into finding natural ingredients that can repel mosquitoes, and the aforementioned ingredients have been shown to exhibit the most potent repellent effects. Natural ingredients are much safer for us as we are not exposed to any toxic chemicals in the form of commercial sprays or ointments. These repellents are an easy and safe way to get rid of one of the most dangerous organisms on earth.
