How to Find and Kill That Single Mosquito Buzzing Around Your Room
The flashlight hunting method
If you’re interested in trying this strategy, do the following:
- Grab a flashlight and turn off all the lights if they’re not already off.
- Turn on a single, small light source—a lamp, phone, tablet. Keep your flashlight off for now.
- Roam the room slowly and listen for the buzzing. After a few minutes, the mosquito will likely make its way toward the light source and land on the wall nearby.
- Turn on your flashlight and hold it flat against the wall, then move the beam along the wall.
- Eventually, the light will hit the mosquito and create a large shadow so you can find it and smash it.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your House and Yard
Tried and True Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes, Proven by the Scientists
To sum up, let’s summarize our investigation and list all 7 methods which will surely help you get rid of mosquitoes. We’ll start with the simplest mosquitos repellents and finish with the most hardcore ones, used by the professionals.
- Mosquito nettings are usually simple to use and cheap. Use them as a permanent preventive measure on your windows and doorways and, if necessary, cover beds (including child cradles) and prams with them when outside. Choose the most suitable netting.
- Homemade & natural repellents are your choice if you’re want everything natural and organic. Some plants and oil can drive mosquitoes away.
- Ready-to-use repellents not only repel the mosquitoes with the sharp smell, just like plants do but also disguise the exhaled carbon dioxide and other human odors attractive for mosquitoes. There are also concentrated liquid repellents which need to be sprayed on larger territories. Repellents based on DEET, Picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), PMD, IR3535, and Permethrin are considered the most effective ones.
- Larvicides are crucial when it comes to getting rid of mosquitoes. Use these larvae control products to break the mosquito development cycle at the larval stage in standing water, such as the larvicides containing live bacteria, see 20-Pack Mosquito Dunk.
- Adulticides are concentrated liquid insecticides aimed at killing adult mosquitoes. Dissolve the product in accordance with the manual and spray it all over!! The best adulticides are Black Flag Liquid.
- Mosquito traps are powerful devices which draw an insect with an attractive smell, CO2, heat or moisture. Once in the trap, mosquitoes find themselves in a closed space where they die of dehydration. The traps are harmless for humans. Indoor traps will protect you from a couple dozen mosquitoes at home, while outdoor propane traps will exterminate thousands of mosquitoes. Choose the best mosquito trap.
- Foggers are devices which create a poisonous fog around. The fogging liquid is toxic to humans, and, that’s why you must work with foggers wearing a special suit and a protective mask. The main advantage of these devices is that you can work on large areas as fast as possible.
WAYS TO GET RID OF MOSQUITOES INDOORS
Ultrasonic Bug/Pest Repeller
Ultrasonic repellers have been around in some form for a while, but manufacturers are making them smaller, more attractive, and more affordable today. While it is difficult to prove, the ultrasonic devices are said to emote a radio frequency that will be very unpleasant for pests like mosquitos, bugs, and mice. The frequency is not picked up by humans or most pets, so you should not be affected by it. Anecdotes suggest that these repellers work well in many cases, and given that they also might keep mice and ticks away, could be worth a try. Best of all, there is no chemical be released, only radio waves.
Camphor Oil
Camphor has been found to have long-lasting effects as a repellant. All you have to do is light camphor in a room with all the doors and windows closed and leave it like this for 15 to 20 minutes (carefully supervised, of course). Your room will be mosquito free in absolutely no time, but it will have a scent that might be foul for you too. You can also just set camphor tablets in a room and let them evaporate over time — it won’t take long. Camphor has many other benefits too, such as being an herbal solution for muscle pain, better breathing, and sedation.
Tulsi
Tulsi has been found helpful in killing mosquito larvae and keeping mosquitoes away. In fact, the more people research Tulsi, the more we find that it is really a pretty incredible and widely-applicable herb. Simply plant a Tulsi shrub near your window, as the shrub has properties which prevent mosquitoes from entering your house. Tulsi is an Indian herb which sometimes goes by the name “holy basil”, used for cooking in many Indian dishes. It is also known to be useful in treating mosquito bites when applied directly to the bite area.
Dry Ice
Because the carbon dioxide we exhale attracts mosquitoes, we are quite vulnerable to them. Dry ice emits carbon dioxide, and all you have to do is place some dry ice in a container and keep that container some distance away. When you see mosquitoes attracted to the container, close the lid. Although it is a time-consuming method, it is quite effective. Dry ice is not terribly easy to have shipped to you, so we recommend looking for it locally.
Garlic
With a strong pungent smell and mosquito larvicidal properties, garlic is one of the most efficient mosquito repellants on this list. All you have to do is crush a few garlic cloves and boil them in water for some time. Pour the water in a spray bottle and spray it around the room to prevent any mosquitoes from coming near you. Or, if you like cooking with garlic, heat up your favorite garlic-laden dish when you notice the mosquitoes are starting to get bad. Minced garlic is also an option to consider, which can be boiled in water as well. You can get garlic at the grocery store, or find it here and have it shipped to your home.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Garlic Water
Citronella candles are great for repelling insects, but they can be pricey. Get the same effect for much cheaper by mixing garlic with water and spraying it near all your outdoor light bulbs. As the bulbs heat up, they’re spread a faint garlicky scent across your yard, which will keep mosquitoes and other bugs away.
Egg Cartons and Coffee Trays
Mosquitoes are a pain each summer, but you don’t have to buy citronella candles, mosquito coils, or the latest gadget—you can just use cardboard egg cartons and coffee trays (the kind you get when you order more than a couple of coffees to-go). Light them on fire, then blow them out and let them smolder in a fire-safe location. The burning smell they produce is pleasant, but keeps mosquitoes away.
Rosemary and Sage
Do mosquitoes hover over the grill when you barbecue? Next time, place a few springs of rosemary or sage on top of the coals. They’ll repel mosquitoes, leaving your meat in peace.
Peppermint
Looking for an effective, yet natural way to combat mosquitoes? Try peppermint! Combine a few drops of peppermint essential oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle, shake well, and spray onto skin. Not only will the chemical compounds in peppermint help repel the blood-sucking beasts, but you’ll also smell minty fresh!
Lemon Eucalyptus
When shopping for a natural mosquito repellent, look for one that contains oil of lemon eucalyptus. It’s extremely effective and provides long-lasting protection.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Keeping Mosquitoes Away from Your Skin
Slap them with a swatter. A mosquito swatter, usually made of a thicker metal or plastic than a regular fly swatter, is mounted on the end of a springy wire. This dramatically increases your chances of hitting a stationary mosquito by increasing the momentum of the swat.
Wear chemical mosquito repellent. Keeping mosquitoes away from your body is the best way to avoid getting bitten. Use insect repellent on uncovered skin surfaces and on your clothing when you’re outdoors, especially during the day. When using sunscreen, apply it before insect repellent.
Use an oil-based repellent. The safety of using chemical deterrents manufactured by combining synthetic chemicals in the laboratory has been questioned, and there are many natural solutions you can use instead. Citronella oil, cinnamon oil and castor oil are reputed to keep mosquitoes away. Most natural repellents require more frequent application or use than the chemical versions.
Wear loose, full coverage clothing. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants will help to protect you from mosquitoes when you’re outdoors. Covering your skin is a key approach to repelling mosquitoes.
Use mosquito nets to protect yourself at night. If you’re sleeping in a mosquito-infested area, get a mosquito net to drape around the bed or mat so that it touches the floor on all sides. This is the only really effective way to prevent them from getting inside to bite you, especially if there are open windows or doors in the vicinity.
