Ways to Discourage Mosquitos

Mosquitos are unwelcome pests that can even pose a danger by carrying viruses and parasites such as malaria, West Nile virus, encephalitis, Chagas, Lyme disease, and Dengue that can be debilitating.  They need blood and stagnant water to multiply. They know humans and animals are creatures of habit, and once they’ve detected the heat of a victim and drunk their fill, they will hang around waiting for their return to fill up again. Here are some tips to discourage their breeding and getting bit.

• Get rid of standing water. Most mosquitos lay their eggs on stagnant water or nearby. It can take as little as a week to have a new crop of mosquitos. After a rain, carefully look for any pools of water, and it can be a small amount in a bottle cap, cup, bowl, vase, bird feeder, bird bath (have a solar fountain to keep the water moving) patio furniture, rain gauge or rain barrel. A pile of leaves can make for damp water-soaked ground that they will use too.
• Landscape with mosquito-repelling plants. A first line of defense can be borders of plants around seating areas that deter the desirability of mosquitos hanging out in your yard. Here is a list of plants (in alphabetical order) that can be grown in the desert: Basil, Catnip, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, Lemon Verbena, Marigold, Mint, and Rosemary.
• Use essential oils. If you have been bit by a mosquito at your desk or favorite seat in the house, it will most likely hang out there waiting for you to return. They are also attracted by the heat of cooking. Using a diffuser will be effective in helping you to not be bothered in that area again. For activities outdoors you can mix a topical ointment of 3 drops of oil to 10 ml carrier oil so your skin will not be irritated, or put a few drops of oil in a spray bottle with some water to give yourself an all over spritz. Geranium essential oil is the longest lasting, up to 7 hours. Lemon Eucalyptus oil has a fresh scent that provides protection for 3 hours. Peppermint oil can also relieve the itch and inflammation of a bite. Cedarwood essential oil repels lots of biting bugs, even ticks and moths. Lavender essential oil is good for relaxing and putting off lots of bugs, spiders, ticks so is good for camping. Citronella essential oil is a popular scent mosquitos abhor, often used in candles for that purpose. Cinnamon essential oil also repels wasps. A favorite I keep at home is an essential oil mixture called, Shoo-Fly Essential Oil by Plant Guru that makes a roll on for ease of use.
• Strategically Dress. It may be hot, but if you can cover you skin with at least a long sleeve white mesh top, mosquitos may be discouraged. They like dark clothes for camouflage and exposed skin for a quick strike. When possible, also wear light color pants and socks—they’ll go for exposed ankles too.
• Use a Mosquito trap There are many out there that help attract and trap those pesky intruders. Here is a reviewed and recommended list of options.

If you have been bitten, do your best to not scratch, it will only make the inflammation worse. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol. Some remedies for relief include: Soak a green, black or chamomile tea bag in cold water in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, squeeze out excess water and apply as a compress. Place a thin piece of material and use an ice cube for relief.

If your municipality feels the need to spray for mosquitos, educate them on an effective spray of bacteria (bacillus thurigiensis) that infect their larvae and do not harm the ecosystem, rather than pesticide which contaminates our air, water, food with harmful toxins.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13

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