All articles tagged with #repellent
Mosquitoes tend to bite some people more than others due to factors like blood type, body heat, CO2 production, clothing color, and activity level. To prevent bites, avoid peak mosquito activity times, wear protective clothing, use DEET-based repellents, and keep breezy environments. If bitten, avoid scratching and use remedies like ice or anti-itch creams.
Mosquitoes are selective insects that prefer certain people based on factors like blood type, body heat, and carbon dioxide emissions. To prevent bites, avoid peak activity times, wear protective clothing, and use effective repellents like DEET. If bitten, avoid scratching and use remedies like ice or anti-itch creams to alleviate discomfort.
A new study suggests that ticks can be repelled by the pheromones produced by ants, leading researchers to work on synthetically replicating these ant excretions as a tick repellent. The synthetic pheromones are virtually undetectable by the human nose and could potentially be used in spray-on repellents or added to materials to create environmental barriers for ticks. The researchers have filed a provisional patent and are working with industrial sponsors to develop this into a usable product, while also exploring the possibility of combining ant pheromones with other repellent compounds for increased effectiveness.
Garlic powder is a simple and effective way to repel wasps from your yard and garden. Wasps dislike the potent smell of garlic and tend to fly in the opposite direction when they encounter it. You can create a garlic powder solution by mixing it with water in a spray bottle and spraying it around your yard. Alternatively, you can use fresh minced garlic or grow garlic in your garden as a natural and pet-safe repellent.
Lavender, in various forms such as fresh flowers or essential oil, is a natural and effective way to repel mosquitoes. Planting lavender near doorways and windows, using a DIY spray with lavender oil and water, or creating a more potent solution with essential oils can help keep mosquitoes away. However, it is important to dilute lavender oil and avoid direct skin contact, as it can be toxic when ingested. Pairing lavender with other strongly scented oils like citronella can enhance its repellent properties.
A viral hack for repelling mosquitoes involves burning coffee grounds, which releases a smoke that is claimed to be effective at keeping the insects away. Mosquitoes rely on their sense of smell to locate areas to breed and feed, and the strong aroma of coffee disrupts their sensory receptors, leaving them disoriented and unable to find their target. While there is limited scientific evidence, some experts believe that burning coffee grounds works better than other DIY mosquito repellents due to the concentrated scent they release. To try the hack at home, simply burn dry coffee grounds on a heat-proof surface or use a candle wick in a glass of coffee.
Certain plants like citronella, lemongrass, catnip, sage, lime basil, mint, ocimum forskolei, pignut, marigold, lavender, wild lantanas, and rosemary have been found to repel mosquitoes. While some studies have focused on the oil extracted from these plants, others have found that the plants themselves can also keep mosquitoes away. These plants not only serve as natural mosquito repellents but also add beauty to your garden and can be used for cooking.
Experts recommend ways to keep mosquitoes away from your patio, including wearing light colors, using DEET or other repellents, adding a fan, lighting a wood-burning firepit or chiminea, and getting rid of standing water. Old-school remedies and new gimmicks may not be effective, while bug zappers are harmful to beneficial insects and not effective against mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothes, like black or navy blue items, as they like to hang out in dark areas. To repel mosquitoes, wearing white or other light or pastel colours is wise as they are cooling to the skin and make you less appealing to mosquitoes. Other tips include using mosquito repellent, essential oils, a fan, removing standing water, and covering up with long-sleeved clothing and trousers.
Mosquitoes are a nuisance and can transmit serious diseases, but there are ways to repel them. Bathing with coconut-scented soap, wearing permethrin-treated clothing, switching up your wardrobe to avoid preferred colors, using insect repellent containing DEET, and lawn treatments are effective ways to keep mosquitoes at bay. Citronella candles and plants, ultrasonic devices, and vitamin B12 supplements are not effective in repelling mosquitoes.
New research shows that mosquitoes can pick out individuals in a crowd based on their odors. Scientists recommend using repellents to keep them away, and a future personalized repellent may be developed based on an individual's unique odor profile.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that certain soap scents can attract or repel mosquitoes. They tested four different soaps on volunteers and found that over 60% of the detectable scent after bathing is attributable to soap. Mosquitoes were then let loose in a mesh cage with two cups inside, one with unwashed scent and the other with washed scent. The researchers found that three of the four soaps made the people more attractive to mosquitoes, and only one made them less. All of the soaps the mosquitoes liked had a fruity or flowery scent. The one that worked as a repellent was coconut scented.
New research suggests that the soap people use in the shower could be the reason why some individuals are more attractive to mosquitoes than others. The study found that washing with Dove and Simple Truth increased the attractiveness of some volunteers, while the smell of the Native brand tended to deter the blood suckers. The study identified four chemicals associated with mosquito attraction, and three chemicals that repulsed the mosquito, including a coconut-scent in American Bourbon and a floral compound used to treat scabies and lice.
Scientists have discovered a scent that repels mosquitoes, which could revolutionize our approach to mosquito control. The scent possesses the ability to cloak the human odor that attracts mosquitoes, creating a formidable barrier against their presence. This discovery offers hope for regions heavily burdened by mosquito-borne diseases and could lead to safer and more environmentally-friendly substitutes for traditional chemical-filled repellents. However, further research and testing are needed to perfect the formulation, assess its long-term effectiveness, and ensure its safety for both humans and the environment.
Multnomah County's Vector Control and Code Enforcement Program supervisor, Levi Zahn, warns that the county is on track to beat last year's record number of mosquitoes due to an early spike in mosquitoes caused by warm weather. The county collected 10,000 to 15,000 mosquitoes from a dozen traps over the last week and is monitoring diseases they may carry, like West Nile virus. Zahn advises using repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, and getting rid of standing water around your home to protect yourself.