Rain or shine, insects are always present in our daily lives. But harmless as they may seem, some are responsible for major epidemics that can even lead to death. So, to prevent bites and the transmission of dreaded diseases like dengue, zika and chikungunya, and to prevent infestation with basic home care, we need to protect ourselves.
In the market there are several options of industrialized repellents. Insecticides used at home today are not highly toxic, but their prolonged exposure is harmful to both man and the environment. Body repellents, on the other hand, have a chemical compound called DEET, which serves to prevent insects from being attracted to the smell of the skin.
Continued use of DEET may also cause allergies, irritation or more serious illness, so Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) recommends that the maximum concentration of the compound in the solution be up to 30%. In addition, insects end up creating resistance to the product, making its use useless and encouraging the creation of ever stronger components.
For this reason, making your own herbal repellent and natural products is a great way to protect the whole family from pests without putting anyone's health at risk. Nature itself provides a variety of organic compounds that are powerful against mosquitoes, flies, ants, cockroaches and other insects that have adapted so well to urban life.
To help you with this task, we've selected five surefire home-repellent recipes for adults, pregnant women, children, home and for pest-infested blackheads, lavender, vinegar and plant extracts. Check out!
Also read: 6 Factors That Make You A Delightful Target For Mosquitoes
1. Clove repellent
Clove is an effective natural repellent against mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti, dengue-transmitting mosquito, chikungunya and Zika virus. This is because its characteristic smell, originated by the presence of eugenol in its composition, is able to ward off mosquitoes, as well as flies and ants. The solution can be used by adolescents and adults, including pregnant women after medical release.
Preparation and application: In a dark bottle, put 10 grams of clove in 500 ml of cereal alcohol. For four days, stir the mixture every 12 hours. On the fifth day, remove the blackheads and add 100 ml of body vegetable oil. Transfer the solution to a spray valve container and spray the skin every 2 hours, always shaking before use.
2. Repellent for children and babies with essential oil
Lavender, or lavender, as it is also known, has an aroma that can ward off mosquitoes and mosquitoes, serving as both repellent and to relieve itching or pain from insect bites. The blend of its oil with infant moisturizer can be used on children and babies over two months old.
Preparation and application: Pour 1 tablespoon lavender essential oil into 150 ml of infant moisturizer. Mix well and apply every 3 hours to all exposed body parts of the child or baby. To increase the effectiveness of this repellent, light a natural citronella candle in as many rooms as possible indoors.
3. Repellent cleaner
Did you know that vinegar also keeps mosquitoes, flies and mosquitoes off? Their acidic aroma greatly irritates these insects and keeps them away from home for up to two days. The ingredient, besides killing bacteria, fungi and germs, has no contraindication. Therefore, from now on bet on vinegar to keep the house clean and pest free.
Read also: Dengue: Myths and Truths About Disease
Preparation and application: Add 2 glasses of white alcohol vinegar to a bucket of clean water. Dampen the floor cloth and go all over the floor. To complement, mix water with vinegar? use the same measurement as each in this case? and spray in the air once or twice a day.
On countertops and sinks, wipe vinegar directly with a cloth. In outdoor areas, apply it on the floor, spread with the help of a broom and let it act for at least 5 minutes before mopping. Another option is to place a small container with pure vinegar inside the room at night.
4. Powerful trail repellent
You already know that vinegar is a powerful ingredient against insects. However, their effectiveness can be enhanced if combined with herbs that also have repellent components. This solution is very potent for use in places with large numbers of mosquitoes, flies and mosquitoes, such as in forests.Its use is not only intended for pregnant women, babies and children.
Preparation and application: In an airtight container, pour 750 ml of natural apple cider vinegar and add two tablespoons of each of the following dried herbs: mint, thyme, sage, rosemary and lavender. Seal the container and let it sit for two weeks, shaking the solution daily. After this period, strain the herbs and store the liquid in the refrigerator.
When you need to use it, mix the solution in equal amounts of filtered water and spray on the skin every 4 hours. The mixture smells very strong while it is wet. But once it is dry in the body the aroma disappears.
Read also: How to do a nice cleaning at home without much effort
5. Repellent with plant extracts
This recipe is for stopping cockroaches that insist on staying indoors for good. For this, we will use plant extracts that have chemical compounds that can prevent them from eating and end up killing or distancing them from the internal environment. It works like an insecticide, but without the toxic products that can harm the health of people and pets living in the home.
Preparation and application: If you can't find laurel, eucalyptus, castor bean and jambolan powder, pick up leaves from these plants and let them rest in the shade until dry. Then grind them into powder. Then pour 100 grams of the powder into 900 ml of water and let it sit for two days.
With a paper filter, strain the dust and apply it indoors where cockroaches often hang out, such as cabinets, door cracks, and drain edges. Increase effectiveness by also using liquid solution sprayed or soaked with cotton swabs scattered around the house.
Other ways to keep insects away
In addition to making your own repellent at home, you can also adopt simple attitudes that help, and greatly, to keep insects away from home in a natural way. These are small details that can make all the difference, such as planting repellent plant species, replacing the electric diffuser tablet with citrus peel and creating new habits indoors and in the diet. See how easy it is:
Plant some specific species: bet on citronella against mosquitoes and mosquitoes, including dengue, chikungunya and zika virus transmitters, but keep the plant away from pets and children because its leaves are toxic.
Read also: 15 plants to grow at home and improve the air quality you breathe
To ward off ants, have mint seedlings at home, especially in the kitchen. Against mosquitoes and flies, basil. To get rid of fleas, bed bugs and cockroaches, trust the chrysanthemum, which will still make your home beautiful.
Replace the tablet with citrus peel: Traditional electric diffusers can continue to repel mosquitoes much more naturally. Instead of the industrialized tablets, put a slice of lemon peel, orange or gossip daily in the appliance. It will release citric acid on contact with heat and repel insects.
Close the windows at dusk: mosquitoes have nocturnal habits, so, especially in summer, close your home windows in the late afternoon, around 5 pm, to prevent them from entering and staying overnight. It is also a good idea to place window screens that keep out insects without drowning out the environment.
Use fans: At high temperatures, keeping the fan on, as well as cooling, helps keep mosquitoes and mosquitoes away. This way, they cannot fly normally against the draft.
Eat foods rich in vitamin B1: Dark green vegetables, oats, rice and whole grains, almonds, Brazil nuts, peanuts, egg yolks, liver, and brewer's yeast are foods that contain B vitamins that repel mosquitoes and mosquitoes from the inside to the inside. out.
Light natural candles: Natural candles based on citronella, lavender, citrus, mint and rosemary inhibit various insects. You can also make a candle with an orange: cut it in half, remove the buds, and place in the base of the melted wax shell, some carnations and a wick. The candle can be used both indoors and out.
By following some of these recipes and tips, your everyday insect problems will end and, most importantly, without endangering your family's health. So choose the ones that suit your needs and get the job done.
And if you know any more foolproof recipes against mosquitoes, flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, or any other insect be sure to count in the comments.
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