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Summer’s warm days and cool nights allow many to enjoy the great outdoors. However, this is also when mosquitoes and lots of other insects thrive; ready and eager to take a bite from any part of your exposed skin. As if ruining a good day wasn’t enough, these pesky bloodsuckers also carry deadly viruses like Zika, West Nile, and an array of other diseases such as malaria, chikungunya, and dengue fever.rnUnfortunately, the fight against mosquitoes has taken a dangerous turn. Today, almost all mosquito control products are based on chemicals like DEET which have long-term, harmful effects. Studies show that overexposure to DEET causes side adverse side effects such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, rashes and numb or burning lips. This is exactly why more and more people are quickly shifting to natural mosquito control techniques. Here are our top, earth-friendly mosquito control methods well structured into the different categories available.
1.Homegrown Plant Mosquito Repellents
There are a few garden plants that naturally repel mosquitoes and lots of other bugs. Plants like rose scented geraniums, lemon balm, Citrosa and Rosemary actually contain properties that mosquitoes prefer to stay away from. However, there is one slight hitch to using plants as mosquito control methods. Most of these plants rely on their oil to repel mosquitoes and unfortunately, this oil is not naturally released. You are therefore required to crush the leaves and extract the oil and even then, the repellent does not spread far. However, most gardeners admit that just swishing their hands through the leaves is more than enough to keep mosquitoes away. Here are some other plants and plant products that can come in handy in the fight against mosquitoes.
a)Garlic
Easily grown in your kitchen garden, garlic is a very effective natural remedy for the eradication of mosquitoes. Now, while garlic is not really pleasant to smell, this is exactly why mosquitoes keep away. Just crush up a few garlic pods, boil them in water and spray it around the house. The strong, pungent odor of garlic will prevent mosquitoes from even entering your home.
b)Camphor
This is an easily available ingredient that is very useful in repelling mosquitoes. Made from a tree extract, Camphor is the longest acting mosquito killer and repellent as compared to other natural methods.
2.Predatory Mosquito Control Methods
If you are looking for the ultimate weapon forged by nature and years of evolution, then animals that prey on mosquitoes are the way to go. Unlike plants that only work to repel and maybe kill a few insects, predators can kill and eat millions of mosquitoes every single day. If you are tired of having to deal with bothersome bloodsuckers, here are some animals that you should consider adopting as useful pets.
a)Dragonflies
Sure, the average dragonfly might look a bit scary and unsettling, but you have nothing to worry about unless you are a protein packed insect. Dragonfly larvae feed on mosquito larvae and when they grow up, mosquito adults. The dragonfly nymphs are hatched in water and feed on mosquito larvae. When the dragonflies grow up, these mosquito killers hover around the water source just waiting for mosquitoes to leave the water. You can buy and release dragonfly nymphs in swamps, dams or water logged areas that are ideal for mosquito breeding.
b)Mosquitofish
Again, if you have a pond, dam, lake or any stagnant water in or around your home, mosquitoes have already made it their home. Fighting fire with fire is the most efficient way to go here. Native to the Southern U.S., the Gambusia is a small, freshwater fish with an insatiable hunger for mosquitoes. These hardy and capable fish are not only able to survive in fresh water, but also control their own breeding. The surface feeders feed on massive amounts of mosquito eggs and larvae by the hundreds. This will prevent further breeding of mosquitoes and eventually, you won’t be able to spot even a single bloodsucker.
c)Purple Martins (Birds)
For people with unbelievable levels of mosquito infestation, nothing works better than birds. But not just any old bird will do; why not look for small, agile and ravenous avians with a taste for winged bloodsuckers? That’s right, birds like mud martins and purple martins simply can’t get enough of their favorite delicacy. In fact, purple martins have been known to relentlessly eat their own weight in mosquitoes every single day. Just go over to your local store and buy a few birdhouses to invite the martins over. While these birds are noisy and messy, having a few of them nearby ensures that no mosquito even make sit to adulthood.
3.Other Natural Control Methods
a)Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis
This is naturally occurring bacterium that acts as a very effective insect killer and larvacide in stagnant water. BTI is usually found in most fish feeds and is absolutely harmless to fish, birds, and other animals. However, once larvae feed on the bacteria, they develop toxic substances that quickly kill them.