Eco friendly control of mosquitoes around your home

Empty the water from containers that are around your home.

Many children and adults are adversely affected by mosquito bites. The immune system is actually working well and realising that the body is under attack producing histamine to fight back.  Histamine is what causes the red bump and the itching is caused by nerves in the area being irritated by the swelling.

Controlling mosquitoes can be done by chemical and non-chemical methods. Here we will focus on enviromentally friendly non-chemical methods.

Remove the mosquito habitat:

• Empty water out of containers where mosquitoes can breed such as rain gutters, old tyres, buckets, tarpaulins, toys, or any containers outside near your home.
• Change the water in bird baths, fountains and wading pools once a week to destroy mosquito breeding areas.  
• Keep swimming pool and spa water treated.

Prevent your exposure to mosquitoes:

• Use an Organic Mosquito Fogger that lasts many hours, if having friends over.
• Rub a drop of lavender oil on your wrists and ankles. On a child rub it on their back (to avoid eye contact).
• Plant herbs that deter mosquitoes such as basil, citronella, lavender, pennyroyal and tansy.
• Replace your outdoor lights with yellow lights which attract less mosquitoes than ordinary lights.
• Wipe over outdoor furniture with lavender oil.
• Install fly screen on doors and windows that are often opened and don't forget the chimney if you have one.

If you are bitten here are some natural home remedies:

• a paste of bicarb soda and plain vinegar applied to the bite can stop the itch, as can the following:
• Apple cider vinegar neutralizes the histamine in the skin and stops itching instantly.
• Tea Tree Oil
• Rubbing salt and a little water into bite
• Peppermint toothpaste
• Lavender oil
• Aloe Vera Gel
• Rooibos Tea used as a compress
• Calamine Lotion which can be purchased at the chemist

Do you have any other natural remedies for mossie bite?

This article contributed by Lesley Sharpe.