As soon as the heat arrives, so do they: that buzzing in the small hours and the bites when you wake up. Knowing how to keep mosquitoes out of the house is half the battle won when it comes to sleeping through the night, and the good news is that plenty of home remedies for mosquitoes work without having to fill every room with insecticide. In this guide we go through natural tricks, plants that repel mosquitoes and simple habits that make a difference all summer.
First, it helps to understand why they come in. Mosquitoes are after three things: moisture to breed in, body heat and the carbon dioxide we breathe out. That is why they bite most at dusk and in the early hours, and why puddles, plant pot saucers or a bucket of standing water are a magnet. Cutting off those sources is the first step in any plan to repel mosquitoes naturally.
Why are there so many mosquitoes in summer?
The common mosquito and the tiger mosquito need still water to lay their eggs, and very little will do: the saucer under a plant pot, a forgotten pet water bowl or the water in a bucket on the balcony. In high temperatures their cycle speeds up and within days they go from larva to adult. If you are wondering why the house fills up despite keeping everything shut, check those damp corners before anything else.
Check the bathroom and kitchen drains too, which in summer can turn into breeding grounds if they collect residue and moisture.
Home remedies for mosquitoes that really work
You don't need to spend much. These home remedies for mosquitoes are easy and use things you already have at home:
- Vinegar and lemon: a bowl of apple cider vinegar in the kitchen or half a lemon studded with cloves keeps many insects away thanks to the strong smell.
- Essential oils: a few drops of citronella, eucalyptus or lavender in a diffuser scent the room and bother mosquitoes. You can also mix them with water in a spray bottle.
- Ground coffee: burning a little dry coffee in a heatproof container produces a smoke that drives them off outdoors.
- A fan: something as simple as a fan running makes it hard for a mosquito to fly and get close, and it cools the room too.
None of them is foolproof on its own, but combined they cut bites down considerably without loading the air with chemicals.
Plants that repel mosquitoes
Putting a few plants that repel mosquitoes on the windowsill, the terrace or the balcony is one of the most rewarding moves: they look good, smell lovely and work for you. The most effective are:
- Citronella: the queen of mosquito repellents; its lemony scent throws them off.
- Lavender: beautiful, fragrant and repellent, and it helps you relax on top of that.
- Basil: perfect in the kitchen, it keeps mosquitoes away and lifts your cooking.
- Mint: easy to grow and with a smell they can't stand.
- Geranium: very common on balconies and with a reputation for keeping them at bay.
Place them near where the air comes in and in the bedroom, to strengthen the barrier exactly where they bother you most.
Physical barriers: the most effective defence
However natural your approach, nothing beats stopping them getting in. Insect screens on windows and balconies are the best-value investment of the summer, especially if you sleep with the window open. If you can't fit them, a light curtain or a canopy over the bed helps a great deal.
Other useful barriers:
- Close the windows at dusk, which is when most of them get in, and open them again once it cools down.
- Switch off any lights you don't need: light draws insects indoors.
- Use warm light tones instead of cold white light, which is less attractive to them.
A tidy, cool home also puts them off. With storage products and home textiles you keep every room clear and ventilated, with no damp corners to shelter in; you can take a look at our catalogue of home items to get the house ready this summer.
Extra tricks for sleeping bite-free
- Shower before bed: you reduce the sweat and body odour that attracts them.
- Avoid sweet perfumes in the evening.
- Empty plant pot saucers and any container with water in it every day.
- If you get bitten easily, a piece of gauze with lavender or citronella near the pillow helps.
With these habits, repelling mosquitoes naturally stops being an impossible fight.
Conclusion
Learning how to keep mosquitoes out of the house is a matter of adding up small actions: getting rid of standing water, putting in plants that repel mosquitoes, using home remedies and fitting screens where they are needed. You don't have to turn the living room into a cloud of insecticide to rest easy. At Velia Select you will find home items that help you keep every corner cool, tidy and free of those unwanted guests. Try these tricks this week and you will notice the difference on the very first night.