Temperatures have begun to soar now that winter is nearing its end. And rising temperatures are always accompanied by an increase in the number of mosquitoes.
Or perhaps these pests are just asleep during the winter.
Well, whatever it is, there are a lot more mosquitoes in the air right now. And that means sleepless nights and constant itchiness, to say the least. Mosquitoes are also bearers of many lethal diseases like malaria and dengue, and by exposing yourself to these critters, you risk falling ill.
The Solution
When you’re indoors, you can probably turn on the mosquito repellent to get rid of the insects. Although, it’s not 100% foolproof and causes harmful chemicals to be diffused into the air.
Another solution that most people turn to is the mosquito coil. And while it is quite effective, the smoke released along with it can be almost unbearable.
If you really want to deal with mosquitoes, both inside and out of the house, lemongrass is the way to go. Essential oils are often made out of lemongrass, and they are highly effective in keeping mosquitoes at bay. Even the plant on its own is an excellent deterrent to mosquitoes.
So whether you’re looking to repel mosquitoes from your house or your lawn when entertaining guests, considering the use of lemongrass.
How To Use It
One of the easiest ways to shield your home from mosquitoes would be to plant a perimeter of lemongrass plants around your home. However, this is time-consuming, and not everyone wants to be surrounded by lemongrass all the time. Instead, you can use the oil made from lemongrass oil and create your own mosquito repellent.
Lemongrass Oil Spray
The easiest way would be to dilute the oil with water and pour the mix into a spray bottle. From here, it’s quite easy to apply the solution to different parts of your body. However, concentrated lemongrass oil is highly potent, and you want to test it on a small area of your skin first, to ensure that it’s safe.
If you’re looking for a stronger repellent, consider mixing the lemongrass oil with eucalyptus oil. The combination will give you a highly-potent repellent that’s sure to keep mosquitoes away for 5-6 hours.
For a more aromatic spray, throw some rosemary oil into the mix. Besides smelling a lot better, the solution will also deter a variety of insects apart from mosquitoes.
Lemongrass Candles
Citronella candles are famous for their aroma and for the effect they have on mosquitoes. You can place these candles anywhere in your home or outdoors to keep the bloodsuckers at bay. And what’s more? They’re easy to make. You’ll need:
- An empty can or a mason jar
- Wax (This can be paraffin wax or the wax from an old candle)
- Citronella oil used for making candles
- Glue gun
- Double boiler
- Re-waxed wicks with tabs that are roughly 6 inches
With the glue gun, attach a wick to the bottom of the empty can, in the centre. Make sure the wick is glued on tight. If you’ve got a large can, you can attach more than one wick around the centre.
Now, turn on the double boiler and throw in the old wax or the paraffin wax in tiny pieces. Heat the wax till it melts completely. Now for each 1/2 kg of wax in the boiler, add 1/10 kilo of lemongrass essential oil. You can even add a few other essential oils, like orange, peppermint, or rosemary, for a sweet fragrance.
Now allow the wax to cool, and ensure you pour it into the can before it solidifies. When you’re adding the wax, maneuver the wick so that it stays in the centre of the can.
If you find any unfilled areas around the wick, heat up some more wax and use it to cover up the gaps. You must allow your candle to cool for at least 48 hours before lighting it up. You can even decorate your candle by wrapping them up in twine or yarn. Or you could just allow it to melt inside the can; whatever works best for you.
You now have a candle, that, when lit will release a fragrant smell that’s sure to make the mosquitoes gag and stay far away.
Grow Some Plants
Consider growing some lemongrass plants around your home. Of course, you don’t need to surround yourself with them, but having a few around the house will help keep mosquitoes at bay. Besides, they look great, and they grow well in most climates.
And if you’re ever looking to make a lemongrass candle or spray, having a plant will grant you access to a supply of lemongrass oil. You can extract the oil by grinding up the leaves or by chopping the lower stalks of the plants and crushing them to extract the oil. If you haven’t got time for all that, you can even rub the leaves directly on your skin to extract the juice. This is sure to keep the critters off your skin.
And there you have it: a brief note on how to use lemongrass oil to repel mosquitoes. These pests are constantly at it, and sometimes it feels like they won’t be satisfied until they’ve sucked you dry.
But the lemongrass plant is quite affordable and can be purchased in any nursery. Get yourself a few of these, and those mosquitoes won’t be bothering you anymore!
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