The best tricks to prevent bugs from biting you (and homemade solutions if they bite you)

With summer, in addition to barbecues, pool afternoons and terrace nights, we also mosquitoes appear. These annoying insects bite us formanage proteins and other nutrients from the blood to complete the formation of their eggs. In fact, only females bite, which are guided by our smell. Even when we exhale they obtain information about whether we are appetizing or not.

If you are one of those who buys sprays, electric mosquito repellents and all kinds of devices to avoid this, we offer you a list of homemade tricks both to prevent you from being bitten and to relieve the bites if they don. Although no remedy is infallible and some may bite you, these solutions and tricks will scare away the bugs and prevent them from biting you.

Plants that scare away mosquitoes

If you want to avoid the presence of mosquitoes on the porch, terrace or balcony, you can do it at the same time as you decorate it. There are plants that avoid its presence. He chinese carnation keeps flies and mosquitoes away, while the lavender It also scares away horseflies. It also has a very pleasant aroma and beautiful purple flowers that will bring joy to any space. He too lemon geranium It is one of the plants that mosquitoes cannot stand. It is precisely its lemon aroma that scares them away.

The aromatic plants They are also very useful, especially mint, basil, thyme or bay leaf. Put them in your outdoor area and, in addition to preventing bugs from coming, it will smell good and you will always have fresh spices on hand to cook with. And finally, also carnivorous plants. Contrary to what their name seems to imply, they do not eat meat. What they eat are those mosquitoes that bite you. There are also very beautiful and decorative species.

Aromas that keep bugs at bay

The essential oils that have a citrus smell are especially effective, such as lemon oil mixed with almond oil, orange oil or eucalyptus. You can also use lavender, rosemary or geranium.The citronella candles They are a great repellent against mosquitoes thanks to the smoke they give off. If you place it near the window, you will prevent them from entering inside. Of course, be careful with drafts and curtains, as you can cause an accident.The incense in bar and even, in its plant form. In the latter case, also place it on the window and you will see how you keep the bugs away. It is also very decorative, thanks to its small, toothed leaves.Lemon and cloves:grandma trick where ever there is one. And one of the most effective. Stick a few cloves in half a lemon and put it next to the window when you go to sleep.Garlic: If its strong smell doesn’t bother you, try cutting several cloves of garlic and putting them in a bowl of water. Let it marinate and then spray the house, especially on the doors and windows.

Other things you can do to avoid mosquitoes at home

Avoid turning on the light at night with the window open. It is an attraction for not only mosquitoes, but also moths. Likewise, Avoid leaving bottles or glasses open or using highly perfumed products., since they are magnets for mosquitoes. Likewise, if the problem is intense, you can always place a mosquito net on the window, there are fixed ones that go up and down. Another option, which is also very decorative and will raise the level of your bedroom, is a bed mosquito net. They are romantic, practical and have an unmistakable summer aroma.

Abroadin addition to surrounding yourself with all the plants that we have told you about, Avoid killing other bugs such as spiders – most do not bite –, lizards or frogs. Their food is mosquitoes and they will help you in your war against them. Natural allies are the best.

If you want to confront flies and mosquitoes directly, you can make a trap with a plastic bottle. Cut it in half, heat water with sugar and when it is cold, pour it into the half bottle with a little yeast. Then you place the other part of the bottle with the neck facing down, like a funnel. Flies and mosquitoes will be inevitably attracted to the sugar and then will not be able to get out. It’s a little cruel, but it works.

What to do if a bug bites you

If the remedies we have told you about before do not work – this can happen if there is a lot of wind, you are outdoors or in an area with a lot of mosquitoes – these solutions will relieve you and do not sting.

Water or ice: The first thing you have to do when you realize that a bug has bitten you is to apply cold water. It will relieve you and reduce inflammation.Aloe vera: It is one of the best natural anti-healing remedies. It works against bug bites, because it cools and is anti-inflammatory, but also if you have a wound or have been sunburned.Water with baking soda: Make a paste and apply it to the bite to neutralize the pH of the skin. Let it sit for a few minutes, remove the paste and wash the area.Oatmeal: In addition to being a very complete food, powdered oats mixed with water are very effective in reducing skin inflammation. Make a paste, put it on the bite for 10 minutes and rinse with water. If you have been shot and have a bathtub, prepare it with some oatmeal powder and get in for 20 minutes.Chamomile: Put a bag in water in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. Squeeze out the excess water and place the bag on the bite for 10 minutes. You can use it several times.