When you live in a country like South Africa, you have to put up with mosquitoes at certain times of the year. The warm weather and humid air seem to attract these critters from nowhere and encourage them to breed like wildfire. Many people try their best to get rid of mosquitoes with sprays and burning coils but this often just exposes them to harmful chemicals and unpleasant smells.
These pests are among the most annoying and infuriating, especially when you’re trying to sleep. Their bites can cause itching and the incessant, high-pitched buzzing noise they make can leave you lying awake for hours at night. In addition, mosquitoes are carriers of many diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever. Here are safe ways to eradicate mosquitoes from your home without having to use harmful chemicals:
Burn citronella candles
Citronella oil is an essential oil obtained from the leaves and stems of different lemongrass species. It acts as a natural repellent to mosquitoes, as well as other insects, and leaves a beautiful aroma in your home; far better than the harsh scent of bug spray. The candles can also last longer than spray or a coil and they contain no harmful chemicals.
Install mosquito nets
Mosquito nets are inexpensive and extremely efficient when used correctly. Although they do not eliminate mosquitoes, the nets have proved to be very effective in preventing mosquito bites. This reduces the risk of contracting malaria or any of the other diseases that these pests transmit.
Hang UV light traps
While these traps are commonly used for moths and flies, they can also eradicate mosquitoes. The only drawback with light traps is that they sometimes spread minuscule fragments of bugs once they are zapped. Insect light traps can also be a bit of an eyesore and because of the contaminants, they cannot be placed where mosquitoes are usually found; in the bedroom or kitchen.
Remove stagnant water
Stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. They thrive in wet and damp conditions. Examine your property to ensure that no trenches or drains are clogged and that all water features have free-flowing water. Remember to get rid of any buckets that have old water in them. If you have a pond, consider adding natural predators, such as goldfish, which will consume the mosquito larvae. Here are other common breeding sites for pests.
Grow mosquito-repellent plants
Growing certain indoor plants can help to repel mosquitoes naturally. These plants can be kept in your room or on your desks to keep mosquitos and other pests at bay. Some of these plants even repel rodents. Since indoor plants are usually smaller, they are easier to look after. These plants include marigolds, tulsi, lemongrass, citronella, mint, and catnip.
These are just a few ways to eradicate mosquitoes from your home without causing harm to your body. If you are still having problems with mosquitoes, it is best to call in a professional pest control company, such as IWESCO, that only uses environmentally-friendly pesticides. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment while keeping people safe from disease-spreading pests.
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IWESCO offers specialised cleaning and waste control services to industrial and commercial customers in South Africa. These services are aimed at minimising our customers’ impact on the environment. Our services also include pest control, garden maintenance, fogging and disinfecting. Our staff are highly trained to offer the most professional services. IWESCO is a Level 2 B-BBEE supplier with ISO 14001 certification for environmental management.
We are a one-stop shop for all your contract cleaning and waste control needs and have a national footprint. Our head office is located in Tshwane but we can provide services to any industrial and commercial client in the major metropolitan areas around South Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Mbombela and more.
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