Mosquitoes are pesky insects that produce irritating bites triggering itch, blisters, and spots, and can even cause a large area of inflammation and redness, low fever, hives, and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis. High temperatures and humid climates are the ideal conditions for their presence.
The body’s immune system recognizes a mosquito bite as a threat and releases histamine in response. This results in skin sensitivity, inflammation, and frequently a rash. The discomfort mosquitoes cause normally goes away in a few days, but using these recommendations from health bodies can ease off your symptoms;
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Put an ice pack on the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching.
- Apply a mixture of baking soda and water.
- Use an anti-itch or antihistamine cream.
To prevent them from occurring, there are different remedies such as insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, mosquito nets on the windows. However, there are other effective and cheap remedies that the vast majority of people have in their homes. Garlic is one of those ingredients, a food with a very interesting nutritional value that also repels mosquitoes.
Garlic has multiple properties and benefits. They are good for blood circulation, prevent infections and reduce blood glucose levels. It also the most effective food to repel mosquitoes. Its influence on body odor appears to be strong enough to drive these insects away.
Various studies published in the scientific journal Nature indicate that the active ingredient in garlic repels some species of mosquitoes. When garlic is minced or sliced, this Sulphur component is activated. Similarly, a study from the University of California found that the active components of garlic are natural larvicides.
Other foods also fulfill this function, although they are not as effective as garlic, such as grapefruit, black pepper, apple cider vinegar and celery.
How to use garlic to repel mosquitoes
Garlic can be used in different ways so that mosquitoes do not stay inside the house. One of them, perhaps the least complex, is to chop the garlic cloves and place them in the different rooms of the house. Another effective way to drive them away is to eat a clove of garlic, since it can modify body odor and prevent them from approaching people who have consumed it. And finally, a liquid can be prepared to spray the rooms with following easy steps:
Ingredients
1 garlic
400 ml of water
Preparation
Boil the water in a saucepan. Cut the garlic cloves and put them in the water. Once it reaches its boiling point, cover it, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
Take it off the heat and let it sit until it cools off.
Put the infusion inside an atomizer and then spray the rooms. This can be done about 3 times a day, especially at bedtime.
