7 remedies that protect against mosquitoes – and one that’s of no use
19.8.2021
The choice of weapons against mosquitoes is broad: UV light, ultrasound, essential oils or even chemical bombs. Not all means protect against stings. Generally, it’s agreed: what targets the mosquito’s nose or its central nervous system is more likely to work.
They find you. Guaranteed. Everywhere. Whether you’re sitting by the lake or lying on the grass in the park, one of the more than 100 species of mosquitoes native to Europe is keen on puncturing your skin to suck your blood.
Our ancestors, still living in caves, were well protected from the stinging pests thanks to full-body hair. As representatives of the species Homo sapiens we lack fur, but we’re inventive and have all kinds of tools to keep mosquitoes at bay in the wild. Here’s an overview:
1. Surround yourself with herbs!
Mosquitoes quickly turn away at the smell of some herbs. Mint, thyme, rosemary, lavender, lemon balm or eucalyptus smell pleasant for us humans, but flies hate these plants. Tomato plants also exude fly-unfriendly scents, according to some experts. Kill two mosquitoes with one stone and always have fresh herbs for the kitchen, completely without bites.
2. Use essential oils!
Further down in the article is the recommendation you may be waiting for: Anti-Brumm and other anti-mosquitoes sprays alike. But it also works more naturally – with essential oils. If you don’t have space to install a protective wall of herbal pots, instead apply scents that are unpopular with mosquitoes directly to your skin. With essential oils of mint, eucalyptus, cedar, rosemary or lemongrass, you should get a mosquito bite or two less. Clove and cinnamon scents are also said to help.
One oil that has already proven its benefits in a scientific study is neem oil. This isn’t an essential oil, but a vegetable oil, which has a somewhat unpleasant smell. Again, you get double the benefit: diluted and sprayed on your plants, neem oil also protects against aphids.
How to mix oils for skin usage is explained very clearly here (website in German) by the self-proclaimed mosquito guru. The guru also gives oils suitable for children.
3. Dress right!
Thighs out, mosquitoes en route. Okay, that was very badly rhymed. You know what I mean. Naked skin is a self-service buffet for mosquitoes. So rather choose long clothes that cover legs and arms as much as possible. Light-coloured clothes are better than dark ones, research has shown.
By the way, don’t forget your feet! Between the straps of sandals mosquitoes always find suitable places for their snouts. Closed shoes protect you better from the attackers.
4. Spray yourself!
Anti-mosquito sprays are top sellers every summer. And rightly so. They protect you effectively – especially if DEET or Icaridin is included as the active chemical ingredient, as a test by «Kassensturz» shows (website in German). Unfortunately, according to tests, sprays that use biologically based active ingredients offer significantly less protection. As a general rule when spraying, apply carefully and don’t leave out any part of the body. Mosquitoes have the ability to find a nice little place to bite, where no spray scent will bother them.
5. Showering helps!
What is a turn-off in flirting, makes mosquitoes really hot: smell of sweat. So with a shower you do yourself double the favour. Ammonia and lactic acid bacteria often really attract mosquitoes. How long showering helps depends on the cocktail of scents that each person secretes individually. It’s indeed true that certain people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others.
When showering, don’t use strongly perfumed shower gel, use neutral smelling ones. Or test an anti-mosquito shower gel.
6. Let it steam and smell!
As mentioned above, there are scents that keep mosquitoes away. If you can’t use them naturally via plants or in the form of oils, use devices that create scents by burning or heating. Here, the range of offers extends from candles with a lemon scent to anti-mosquito coils and supposedly high-tech devices that work with scent plates.
For evaporators, consider whether you’d rather try natural remedies or synthetic chemicals. Most often, insecticides are used in synthetic remedies. Prallethrin, Transfluthrin and Allethrin are the most commonly used active ingredients.
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For a natural alternative, light dried coffee grounds and use the smoke to drive away mosquitoes. Home remedy lists on the Internet swear by the coffee vapour. Be sure to use a fireproof bowl for the coffee grounds, not a porcelain plate. It could shatter in the heat.
7. Lure the mosquito with the lamp!
For the unscrupulous, UV lamps are a solution. Such devices attract insects with UV light and then electrocute the pests – the electric chair for the insect world. Environmental conservationists criticise such devices for not only killing the hated mosquitoes, but also luring moths and other insects into the deadly trap. In Germany, they’re therefore largely banned.
8. Try your luck with the ultrasonic gun!
Ultrasonic devices of all kinds should also keep mosquitoes away. At least that’s what the manufacturers of wristbands, plugs or devices for setting up say. However, scientists and researchers come to a different conclusion in studies: such devices are ineffective (website in German). Nevertheless, we have them in our range.
A further development in the wristband sector is available by the Swiss manufacturer Nopixgo. Here, electromagnetic pulses are intended to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Whether it works is debatable (website in German).
More tips?
So, that’s eight ways you can protect yourself from mosquitoes. Have I missed anything? Do you have any other or better advice? Feel free to drop us a comment below.
Bye bye to bites
What is your best remedy against mosquitoes?
- Rub with essential oils5%
- Spray it, baby! Anti-Brumm and more49%
- Wear long clothes and show little skin11%
- Scent, smoke and fumes of any kind8%
- Off into the UV trap with the beasts!9%
- Let them bite!19%
The competition has ended.
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
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