MOSQUITO 101
It’s flying insect season, and I’m here to address how we can deal with one of the most feared…the mosquito.
Mozzies love Nick, so whilst I’m mostly safe when standing next to him, summer is here, we’ve already found them in the house, I got bitten out and about last night and with my retreat in Saint Lucia coming up I’m thinking about my little one’s arms, feet and ankles (and Nick’s of course!). Ahead of our trip I’ve been researching and reminding myself of natural remedies to prevent as many bites as possible and help ease the inevitable one or two (fingers crossed).
For prevention, I’m a fan of Incognito mosquito products which I’ve used for the last 5 years and will be trying their new refillable insect repellent bracelets on my retreat. We also invested last summer in this bug racket which can be used handheld or free standing. It’s already back out of the cupboard and in use, and will be in our luggage for any trips this summer!
There are a few more old-fashioned tricks which will forever work. Wearing long sleeved trousers and tops in the early morning and evening is always a good idea as this is when they are most active (they don’t love the heat of day). If you’re noticing them around the house, then check areas around your home and garden for any stagnant water holes which attract mosquitoes to lay their eggs, like unused plant pots and furniture covers which have caught rainwater. Mosquito nets around your bed are always a good idea - as long as you take care when using them, there’s no use leaving gaps at night or leaving them open in the day only to trap one or two in with you when you go to bed! Or mosquito nets across your windows if you like sleeping with your windows open. Otherwise, according to Nick - the mosquito Ninja - it’s always worth scouting the room at night before bed - ceilings, walls and giving the curtains a shake.
For some people, these bite zappers work well as an effective way to deal with an itch without scratching it and triggering the release of even more histamine - which makes it even itchier! Chemical free, they emit a little static charge - simply click the device about five times on the bite. Alternatively, rubbing an ice cube on the bite for 30 seconds can also provide relief.
There are also lots of essential oils and natural remedies you can makeup to help deter mozzies, I’m sharing some I’ve found below:
ESSENTIAL OILS**
The following essential oils are all detested by mosquitoes - read on to make your own natural ingredient mosquito spray.
Citronella Essential Oil: This oil is widely used for its mosquito-repelling properties. It can be used in diffusers or mixed with a carrier oil and applied to the skin.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Another effective mosquito repellent, eucalyptus oil can be used similarly to citronella oil.
Lemongrass Essential Oil: Known for its strong fragrance, it can repel mosquitoes when used in diffusers or applied to the skin with a carrier oil.
Lavender Essential Oil: When applied to the skin, can deter mosquitoes due to its pleasant yet repelling fragrance - and is also recommended for any bites to stop welting
Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint oil or crushed leaves can be used as a natural repellent.
Tulsi (Holy Basil) Essential Oil: Planting tulsi around your home or applying tulsi oil can help keep mosquitoes at bay.
All of the above can be mixed with Neem oil as the carrier oil Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica): Known for its strong insecticidal properties, neem oil can be mixed with coconut oil and applied to the skin. As well as with ground turmeric as mentioned below.
To make your own essential oil mosquito repellent:
Combine 1/3 cup witch hazel and 1/3 cup water* with 40 drops of (or a mix of) any of the essential oils mentioned above
Add to a clean spray bottle and shake well before using
Use on exposed skin, clothing and outdoor areas, avoiding eyes and mucous membranes
Reapply as often as needed, particularly after swimming or sweating
Optional: Adding a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mix will help keep the oils dispersed in the witch hazel-water mixture
*Use distilled water if you want to keep this mixture for more than a week to keep it shelf-stable
NATURAL CONCOCTIONS**
Camphor: Burning camphor in a room can help repel mosquitoes. Its strong scent is known to drive mosquitoes away. I personally like the smell of camphor but use with caution as it is irritating to the mouth and eyes. Don’t use near children or animals and use in well ventilated spaces. Neal’s Yard do a Ravintsara Organic Essential Oil which is more user friendly!
Garlic Spray: A mixture of garlic juice and water sprayed around the home can repel mosquitoes - crush 2 whole bulbs of garlic and add to 2 pints of water in a saucepan. Boil for 15 mins before sieving out the chunks. Allow to cool then add to a spray bottle and use around the house - effective for up to a month! It’s also great to deter slugs from plants while also being kind to the environment and not affecting insects beneficial to suburban landscapes.
Turmeric and Neem Paste: A paste made from ground turmeric root (as in turmeric spice from the supermarket) and neem oil can be applied to the skin as a protective layer against mosquito bites.
Plantain weed leaves: Not to be mistaken for plantain fruits, I’ve been reading a lot about this plant that grows on roadsides, grassland, tracks, wasteland and cultivated ground - wherever habitats have been disturbed by the activities of man (so almost everywhere then!). Scrunched up or chewed enough to extract the juice, apply these edible leaves to burns and bites for effective relief. Good to know if you're out and about and unprepared.
Burn dried neem leaves or sage leaves: The smoke from burning dried neem and sage leaves is known to repel mosquitoes effectively. Growing sage and basil on windowsills and in gardens has also been recommended.
Vanilla extract with aloe vera: A 50:50 mix of vanilla extract and aloe vera is said to make a great repellant on the skin. Vanilla extract is expensive and I haven't tried this one but it went viral on instagram. Aloe vera on its own is great for stings though - it’s super cooling and soothing and contains the enzyme bradykinase, which is the active ingredient to suppress swelling, pain, and heat when applied on the skin.
Castor oil with bicarbonate of soda: Combine hexane free castor oil with the kitchen wonder ingredient bicarbonate of soda to make an anti-itch paste and apply to bites.
If anyone has any other remedies or ideas to add please email hello@jasminehemsley.com and I’ll update this list!
**These methods are natural and generally safe. However, it’s always advisable to perform a patch test when applying any new substance to your skin to check for allergies or sensitivities.
For essential oils do not use them neat on the skin, especially on children unless you know what you’re doing! Please do your research first into each of the essential oils if you are trying to conceive, or are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning on using them on young children and babies.