World Mosquito Day: How to Prevent Mosquito Breeding in Rains

What follows the long rain spell is an aftermath of diseases and infections, mosquito breeding being the most prominent. To make things worse, different types of mosquitoes breed uncontrollably and spread debilitating diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and malaria. Mosquito protection is thus the key. This World Mosquito Day, we want to bring your attention to the risks associated with mosquito breeding, especially during the rainy season.

Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites are small, itchy bumps that appear on human skin. These are caused when female mosquitoes pierce through human skin to syphon off the blood. In exchange for blood, the female mosquito leaves its saliva which carries disease-causing viruses and parasites. 

Fevers Caused by Mosquito Bites

The most common fevers caused by mosquito bites include:

1. Malaria – Caused by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, and vomiting.
2. Dengue fever – Caused by the bite of a female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms include high-grade fever with severe joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, and swollen glands with skin rashes.
3. Chikungunya  – Caused by the bite of Aedes Albopictus mosquito. Symptoms include high-grade fever, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
4. Zika fever – Caused by the bite of the Aedes mosquito. Symptoms include high-grade fever with severe joint pain, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, malaise, and headache.

Steps to Stop Mosquito Breeding 

Curbing mosquito breeding and the spread of mosquitoes is the only way to prevent fevers caused by mosquitoes. The following steps are important to check the growth and spread of mosquitoes:

1. Avoid Water Stagnation

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. As waterlogging is a common sight after rains, it provides ideal grounds for mosquito breeding. Take necessary steps to avoid water stagnation. This includes cleaning and clearing water coolers, drip trays of air conditioners, covering overhead tanks, filling roadside pits in front of your house and locality, covering unused pots, mud pots, old tyres, buckets, trash cans, and other containers that may hold stagnant water for mosquito larvae breeding.

2. Keep Doors and Windows Closed

The dampness and soaring humidity levels after rains offer favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Therefore, it’s important to keep all the doors and windows closed, especially during the early morning and evening hours.

3. Keep Home Interiors Clean 

The inside of your home, the living areas and bedrooms must be properly cleaned every day. The dark and less frequently visited spots of the house like areas behind curtains, under the bed, and storage spaces are common places for the mosquitoes to hide. They sneak out from these areas to feed on human blood. Thus, keeping all nooks and corners of the house clean and tidy becomes important.

Helpful Mosquito Protection Techniques

While it is important to stop mosquito breeding in your home and locality, it is equally important to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Listed below are some effective mosquito protection techniques:

1. Mosquito Sprays

Using a mosquito spray is an easy and effective way to eliminate the mosquitoes in your house. It is also one of the quickest ways to stop the spread of mosquitoes. But one must be cautious when using it. 

1. Do not come in direct contact with mosquito spray as repellent contains harmful chemicals and compounds. 
2. While spraying, keep it away from the body and eyes. 
3. It must not be used by a person with breathing troubles. 
4. Once sprayed, lock the room for some time.

2. Mosquito Repellent Cakes and Liquid Vaporizers

 Unlike mosquito sprays that must be sprayed in closed rooms and left unattended for some time, mosquito repellent cakes and liquid vaporizers can be used in human presence. The mosquito repellent machine is typically switched on during evening hours to help keep the mosquitoes away.

 3. Creams and Roll-On

Topical application of cream or applying roll-on on clothes is the most effective way to remain protected from mosquitoes even when you step outdoors. The anti-mosquito creams and roll-on promise around 99% effectiveness for up to 8 hours of use. They are an easy fit into your travel kit and are also available as gel, wristbands, and patches. But use the best quality products and take an allergy test before using them. 

 4. Electric Mosquito Trap

Placing an electric mosquito trap in your house is an effective way to get rid of mosquitoes. The mosquito trap attracts the mosquitoes due to its light emission. The high-voltage grids then electrocute the mosquitoes when they come in contact with the wires of the trap, killing them instantly. It is a chemical-free and eco-friendly way to eliminate mosquitoes. But the unit must be placed in out-of-reach areas as it can be risky for children

 5. Mosquito Net

The use of bednets is an effective way to keep mosquitoes away while sleeping. The bednet must be made of stiff cotton or synthetic thread which allows easy movement of air. The bednet must be white. This allows you to see mosquitoes against any background. Also, it comes with a specification of holes per square inch. Bednet with 285 holes per square inch is considered perfect as it is breathable and prevents the smallest mosquitoes from passing through.

6. Mosquito Repellent Plants

Having mosquito repellent plants and shrubs in your lawns and living areas can prove to be a natural way to keep the mosquitoes away. Plants like tulsi, catmint, citronella grass, lemon balm, marigolds, basil, lavender, rosemary, scented geranium, and bee balm are some of the mosquito repellent plants that are ideal for your home.

7. Wear Protective Clothing

Keeping your skin fully covered can help avoid mosquito bites. Wear full-sleeved shirts, t-shirts and pants to stay protected from mosquito bites. 

8. Go for Light-Coloured Interiors

Mosquitoes are generally attracted to dark-colored surroundings. Prefer light colour wall paints and natural pastel shades for curtains and interiors to keep mosquitoes away.

Natural Home Remedies

People with sensitive skin and prone to allergies can opt for natural remedies to safeguard themselves from mosquito bites. A few natural remedies include:

1. Crush a few cloves of garlic. Add water and put it to a boil. Upon cooling, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and sprinkle it all over the house.
2. Rosemary has an active natural ingredient, eucalyptol, a commonly used insect repellent. Add 1 cup dried rosemary to 1 lt of water and boil for 30 minutes. Directly apply the mixture to the skin for natural mosquito protection. 
3. Burning camphor in a closed room is an effective way to get rid of mosquitoes naturally. Burn camphor and leave the room closed for half an hour for effective results.
4. Cut a lemon into thin slices and gently insert cloves into it. Place them out in every room. It will help keep mosquitoes away.
5. Tulsi is a natural mosquito repellent plant. Grow it in small pots and place the pot near the door and window openings. 
6. Incense, candles, and oils made from citronella, lemon, lavender, laurel, rosemary, or basil are not only fragrant but also help keep mosquitoes away.
7. Mix 1/4 tsp of cinnamon oil in about 100 ml of water. Spray the mix on your skin, clothing, and around your living spaces to keep mosquitoes away.
8. Mix equal portions of extra virgin, cold-pressed neem oil with coconut oil and rub it on the exposed parts of the body. 

Conclusion

Stopping mosquito breeding and incorporating mosquito prevention techniques is the only way to get rid of mosquitoes. This World Mosquito Day, learn and spread awareness about the different ways in which mosquito breeding can be prevented