Surely you use mosquito repellants every time you see yourself surrounded by these critters in the middle of a picnic. They may help you get rid of them, however, if you are fond of buying everything that the market offers you, these repellants that you have purchased at the nearest supermarket or pharmacy are sure to be full of toxic chemicals that cause harmful side effects. if ingested or absorbed into the skin. There are natural alternatives that can protect you from annoying mosquitoes. Keep reading and discover which one of them is that will make the issue of mosquitoes a forgotten issue.
It seems that the main culprits for attracting mosquitoes are certain smells. People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface are more prone to mosquitoes, and those that produce certain acids, such as uric acid, in higher amounts.
These substances stimulate the mosquitoes’ sense of smell and lead them to a certain individual. According to science, people who emit higher amounts of carbon dioxide, such as obese people and pregnant women, attract mosquitoes more.
Also, individuals emit more carbon dioxide when they are playing ball than when they are sitting by the fire. In the US alone, there are about 175 known species of mosquitoes, so you need to learn how to prevent their bites. The bites of these insects are not only annoying and very itchy, but they also carry diseases and can spread them to people, for example:
- Dengue – causes hemorrhagic fever
- Zika – related to birth defects
- Malaria: leads to fever, chills, and vomiting
- West Nile virus – manifested by joint pain, rash, fever, vomiting
- Jamestown Canyon virus – causes flu-like symptoms
- Yellow fever – causes jaundice, chills, and vomiting
- Hare virus – causes rashes, dizziness, vomiting
- La Crosse Encephalitis – causes fever and nausea
- Chikungunya – leads to rashes, joint pain, and nausea
- Rift Valley Fever – causes eye damage, dizziness, weakness
Take this vitamin and you will be free of mosquitoes all summer
Vitamin B1
Studies have apparently shown that vitamin B1 (thiamine), which is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for the proper functioning of the body, can effectively boost the immune system and fight stress.
This vitamin can be found in foods such as:
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Onions
- Spinach
- Green beans
- Summer squash
- Eggplant
- Sunflower seeds
If you have it in large amounts in your body, this vitamin will produce a “sour” smell to mosquitoes, and they will no longer be attracted to you.
Homemade mosquito repellent
The following homemade repellent is made with just two ingredients that are not exactly a mosquito delight: organic apple cider vinegar and fresh parsley. This is how you should prepare it to use it as a mosquito repellent:
- In a mortar with a pestle, add 4 ounces of apple cider vinegar and a handful of fresh parsley. Grind the ingredients and let the mixture settle for a few hours.
- After that period of time, strain and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. If you wish, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to give the spray a pleasant scent.
- When you need it, spray all over your body, as it is completely safe and does not cause side effects. You can keep the homemade spray in the fridge for continued use.