Beyond being a nuisance, mosquitoes spread diseases such as malaria, a lethal illness that still afflicts tens of millions of people the world over. The most important malaria-prevention strategy is the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). These stave off deadly mosquito bites with impressive success, but they are strongest if you couple them with some DIY mosquito repellents you can use as a complement to the ITN barrier. Here’s how to fortify your malaria protection with simple, effective DIY mosquito repellents.
Understanding Malaria and Its Transmission
Malaria is a serious and highly infectious disease. Its main cause is a parasite transmitted to humans through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization, malaria is a major global health problem in the tropics and some subtropical countries, especially in some parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Prevention of malaria is an effective way to reduce the spread of the disease and save people’s lives.
Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a major tool for malaria prevention. ITNs are soaked in an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes, helping to prevent bites while people are asleep. But ITNs, by themselves, might not be enough to protect someone fully, especially if mosquitoes can enter or if nets aren’t used correctly or maintained.
The Role of DIY Mosquito Repellents
DIY mosquito repellents may also help. These are easy to make at home with natural ingredients and can be applied to the skin or used around your living space to get mosquitoes to move elsewhere. When used in conjunction with ITNs, they can provide another level of defense against mosquito bites, and by extension, malaria.
Why DIY Mosquito Repellents?
- Cost-Effective: Many DIY mosquito repellents use ingredients that are readily available and inexpensive.
- Natural Ingredients: These repellents often rely on natural substances, reducing exposure to synthetic chemicals.
- Tailor-made: You can adjust both the potency and the aroma.
Ingredients for DIY Mosquito Repellents
Here are some common ingredients found in DIY mosquito repellents and their effectiveness:
- Essential Oils: Several essential oils possess mosquitocidal properties these include citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and others. These oils mask the scents that attract the mosquitoes or repel the insects directly.
- Garlic: Mosquitoes don’t like the presence of allicin, a compound found in garlic. You can use it in crushed form, in powder, and in other forms you like.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar helps to repel mosquitoes with a strong smell. They are also easy to mix with other ingredients for adding effects.
- Lemon and Lime: Thanks to their high acidity and odorous nature, citrus fruits like lemon and lime are known to be mosquito repellents.
- Neem Oil: A natural repellant with a long history of use in traditional medicine. Mix with other oils to boost effectiveness.
DIY Mosquito Repellent Recipes
1. Citronella and Eucalyptus Spray
Ingredients:
- 10 drops of citronella essential oil
- 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 tablespoons of witch hazel
- 2 tablespoons of distilled water
- 1 tablespoon of carrier oil (e.g., coconut oil or jojoba oil)
Instructions:
- Combine the essential oils, witch hazel, and distilled water in a spray bottle.
- Add the carrier oil.
- Shake well before each use.
- Spray the mixture on exposed skin and around living spaces to deter mosquitoes.
2. Garlic Mosquito Repellent
Ingredients:
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Combine minced garlic and water in a bowl.
- Let the mixture sit for a few hours.
- Strain the garlic pieces out and add the vegetable oil.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Spray around your home and yard to repel mosquitoes.
3. Lemon and Lime Scented Repellent
Ingredients:
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Instructions:
- Mix the lemon and lime juice with coconut oil.
- Apply directly to your skin.
- Reapply every few hours for continued protection.
4. Neem Oil Mosquito Repellent
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of neem oil
- 2 tablespoons of carrier oil (e.g., almond oil or olive oil)
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil (optional for added fragrance)
Instructions:
- Combine neem oil with the carrier oil.
- Add lavender essential oil if desired.
- Apply to exposed skin.
Additional Tips for Using DIY Repellents
- DIY repellent: Allergy test Before applying any DIY repellent over a wide area of skin, apply a small amount to one part of your skin to check for allergic reactions such as reactions to existing skin damage.
- Avoid Sensitive Areas: Be cautious around sensitive areas such as the eyes and mouth.
- Reapply Regularly: Natural repellents may need to be reapplied more frequently than commercial products.
- Mix and match Methods: Do-it-yourself repellents plus ITNs and other preventive measures should be your best hope for success.
Maintaining and Using Insecticide-Treated Nets
To maximize the effectiveness of ITNs, proper maintenance is crucial:
- Check Regularly: Look for torn or ripped nets. Repair or replace torn nets when necessary.
- Redo with insecticide: ITNs need reapplication of insecticide every so often, or after they wash them. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for the time between reapplications.
- Correct Use: Make sure that the net lies down under the mattress or bed so that the mosquitoes do not fly in. Use it every night, even if you spend the day indoors.
Complementary Measures
In addition to using ITNs and DIY repellents, consider other malaria prevention strategies:
- Avoid Standing Water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. Empty containers that have collected water weekly; scrub and usually treat water containers and cisterns.
- Put Mosquito Screens: Install screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
- Wear protective clothing. Cover arms and legs, especially during peak mosquito-biting hours, which coincide with both dawn and dusk.
Insecticide-treated nets used alone are not enough to prevent malaria. Only properly used nets during sleep will provide protection, but DIY repellents will protect the house and family during the day, as well as during the times of the day when nets are not handy or practical. Natural (and cheap) solutions, added to the current method of prevention, can help you to protect yourself and your family from malaria.
It takes a village to prevent malaria, so consider the importance of ITNs and DIY repellents to the mix, getting the best possible layers of protection with additional preventive behaviors. Every little action adds up and saves lives.
