The Three-Pronged Approach to Protection from Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous insects around. Not only do they aid in the transmission of the dreaded malaria (in certain countries anyway), they equally discomfort just about anyone they are breeding close to. Here are ways through which you can deal with them: • Using the mechanical system This is one of the first things you should do if you want to deal with mosquitoes. With mechanical control, you are effectively destroying the mosquito’s place of birth. As soon as there are no breeding grounds for the mosquito you have actually succeeded in eliminating a great percentage of your problem. To do this, you need to dispose of old tires, flower pots and clogged gutters. Unkempt swimming pools and ponds are also good breeding spots for mosquitoes and they should be cleaned regularly. • Using mosquito repellents There are so many mosquito repellents out there. The major ingredient with all of the most effective brands is DEET. You can also buy other lotions that are known as active repellents. Your local shop should be able to provide you with most of these. • Using Mosquito Dunks These are simply a sort of larvicide which stops the mosquito from developing into the adult stage. It either kills the larva or it contaminates its food source. These products are however, very costly and are very ineffective in a large body of water. They are meant to be used in only stagnant water. • Using Mosquito traps or magnets This is arguably the most effective way of dealing with mosquitoes. They are propane operated machines that make use of Octenol. Mosquitoes are able to find humans because their extra-sensitive receptors can pick human breath. This solution therefore combines both CO2 and Octenol to produce an emission that resembles human breath. Mosquitoes in the locality will confuse this for the presence of a human and ultimately fly to their death. This is very effective if you are one spends a lot of time outdoors. • Use of Mosquito nets These nets are mostly used for outdoor events but some individuals use them indoors. The nets come in various shapes and sizes and some of them come treated with insecticides that kill mosquitoes on contact. It is a good way of protecting one’s self against mosquitoes but unless it’s being used temporarily in an outdoor event it is always better to treat the source. • Use of biological methods There are certain meals and tablets that act as repellent. For humans, an example is garlic tablets while brewers yeast help pets. Many stores, both online and offline, sell these products. Now, if you live in area that has dragon flies swarming around or frogs and bats do not make any efforts to exterminate them. These are natural predators to mosquitos and mosquito larvae. It is however, not advisable to rely wholly on their activities as they will not be enough to deal with an average mosquito population based on the number of eggs they lay. The best method among all these is the use of Octenol as it is the closest to the natural attractant of mosquitoes. A two or three pronged approach utilising several of the above is overall the best strategy. An attractant and repellent, and in seriously mosquito infested areas night nets, is a good way to go.