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Preface
The summer is scorching and mosquitoes are buzzing, this scene must be familiar to everyone.
Every night, mosquitoes are like a well-trained army, dispatching on time, which is annoying.
In order to deal with mosquitoes, buy mosquito coils, light mosquito liquid, and even close doors and windows at the expense of fresh air, but the effect of mosquito repellent is not ideal.
But in fact, the method of repelling mosquitoes is very simple, even if the windows are open all night, you can sit back and relax, which sounds a bit incredible, so, what is the real nemesis of mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes' biological clocks
When it comes to mosquitoes, most people's first reaction may be disgust, but if we look at it from another angle, mosquitoes are actually very interesting creatures that have their own biological clock, just like us humans.
Mosquitoes are not active 24 hours a day, their most active times are usually at dusk and dawn, this is because mosquitoes like to be active in the temperature range of 20-28°C, which happens to occur during these two periods of the day.
Interestingly, mosquitoes are much more sensitive to temperature than we think, and when the temperature is slightly higher or lower, their activity will be affected, just like us humans, the weather is too hot or too cold, and we are not willing to go out.
In addition to temperature, mosquitoes are also particularly sensitive to carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and body temperature, which explains why some people are particularly attracted to mosquitoes.
However, knowing ourselves and our opponents and knowing these characteristics of mosquitoes can better develop mosquito prevention strategies, for example, we can appropriately lower the room temperature or reduce outdoor activities during the period when mosquitoes are active.
Interestingly, mosquitoes also have an Achilles' heel: they don't like strong winds, and when the wind speed exceeds 1.5 m/s, it is difficult for mosquitoes to fly.
Natural enemies of mosquitoes
Therefore, for mosquitoes, wind is the most terrible existence, and the fan is actually the most effective way to repel mosquitoes.
Isn't a fan just a small "fan-maker"? It is able to create an intolerable air flow for mosquitoes, and when the fan is turned on, the indoor air flow speed can easily exceed 1.5 m/s, which is simply a "hurricane" for mosquitoes.
Fans not only stop mosquitoes from flying, but they also interfere with their ability to find targets, mosquitoes sense carbon dioxide to find prey, and the fan's airflow can disrupt the distribution of carbon dioxide, making it impossible for mosquitoes to accurately locate their "good meal".
When it comes to fans, we can't help but think of air conditioners, indeed, air conditioners can have a similar effect, and it can also lower the room temperature and further reduce mosquito activity, but, in comparison, fans are more economical and don't make people cold as easily as air conditioners.
Interestingly, the use of fans to repel mosquitoes actually had similar wisdom in ancient times.
Although the ancients did not have electric fans, they would use fans or other tools to create airflow, which makes people sigh that sometimes the simplest method is the most effective.
However, there are some tips for using a fan to repel mosquitoes.
First of all, the position of the fan is important, it is best to place the fan near the window, which will prevent mosquitoes from entering through the window, and secondly, the angle of the fan should also be noted, tilting the fan slightly upwards will better cover the whole room.
It is also worth mentioning that the use of fans to repel mosquitoes is not only beneficial to humans, but also more friendly to the environment, compared to the use of chemical mosquito repellent products, fans do not produce any harmful substances, nor do they pose potential health risks to the human body.
Of course, we can't use the fan as a universal mosquito repellent, in some cases, such as outdoor activities, we still need other mosquito prevention measures, but for the indoor environment, especially on a hot summer night, sleeping with the fan on is undoubtedly a comfortable and effective choice.
In addition to the "artifact" invented by human beings, nature is also a very magical existence, which itself has the function of repelling mosquitoes, where does this start?
Nature's wisdom
In the long process of evolution, some plants have developed natural insect repellent abilities in order to protect themselves, and these plants can become our natural allies against mosquitoes.
Peppermint, our common seasoning herb, is actually a natural mosquito repellent.
The fresh smell it emits, which may be pleasant to us, but an unbearable irritation for mosquitoes, planting a few pots of mint on the windowsill will not only fill the room with a fresh scent, but also deter mosquitoes.
Lemongrass is another plant worth paying attention to, it contains citral, which is effective in repelling mosquitoes, and interestingly, lemongrass can not only repel mosquitoes, but also be used for cooking, which can be described as the perfect combination of practicality and deliciousness.
Marigolds, on the other hand, are beautiful and practical flowers, not only with bright flowers, but also with a pesky smell of mosquitoes, and planting a few pots of marigolds in your yard or balcony can add color and repel mosquitoes, killing two birds with one stone.
However, there are also some caveats to the use of plant mosquito repellents.
The mosquito repellent effect of plants is usually localized, so it's best to place these plants around areas where you often move, some people may be allergic to certain plants, so it's best to find out if you have a history of allergies before planting.
And the wonderful use of these plants, our ancestors have long discovered that in ancient times, people would hang some plants with mosquito repellent effect in the room, such as wormwood, this wisdom has been passed down to this day, but the form has become more diverse.
The added benefit of using plants to repel mosquitoes is that it makes our living environment more natural and greener, and in modern society, we are often surrounded by various man-made objects, and these plants allow us to reconnect with nature.
Of course, we can't expect plants alone to completely solve the mosquito problem, it is more like an adjunct, which can be combined with other methods, such as the fan we just mentioned, which can not only increase the mosquito repellent effect, but also make our living environment more comfortable and pleasant.
Therefore, when thinking about how to repel mosquitoes, you may wish to take a look at the mosquito repellent plants that can be planted around you, and you may find that mosquito repellent can not only be simple, but also beautiful.
After all, what could be more enjoyable than being in a green environment and away from mosquitoes?
Solve the problem at the source
At the end of the day, instead of constantly fighting mosquitoes, it is better to reduce the number of mosquitoes at the source, which involves an important concept: environmental management.
It may sound lofty, but it's actually about reducing mosquito breeding and activity by improving our living environment.
In fact, the truth is very simple: without water, there are no mosquitoes.
Mosquito larvae, which we often call mosquito littering, need to grow in water, so eliminating stagnant water is the first step in mosquito control.
Where can water accumulate in my home or yard? Maybe it's the bottom of a flower pot on the balcony, maybe it's the old tires in the yard, or the bucket under the eaves, these seemingly harmless little stagnant water are actually a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
And our ancestors with high wisdom have long been aware of this, in some ancient documents, there is a record that it is necessary to often clean up the stagnant water in the yard to prevent mosquito breeding, this wisdom, through time and space, is still applicable today.
In addition to eliminating stagnant water, it is also important to keep the environment dry, mosquitoes prefer humid environments, so we should try to keep the room as dry as possible.
During the wet season, a dehumidifier or desiccant can be used to reduce indoor humidity, which not only reduces mosquitoes, but also prevents mold growth.
In addition, keeping the environment clean and tidy is also an important aspect of mosquito prevention, frequent cleaning, garbage removal, not only can reduce the habitat of mosquitoes, but also make our living environment more comfortable.
At the same time, when carrying out environmental management, we can also use some small helpers, for example, you can raise some goldfish in the yard, goldfish can not only beautify the environment, but also eat mosquito larvae in the water, which is both environmentally friendly and interesting, why not?
Of course, environmental management is not something that can be achieved overnight, it requires continuous efforts, but once we develop such a habit, it can not only effectively reduce mosquitoes, but also significantly improve our quality of life.
Living in a clean and tidy environment without standing water not only has fewer mosquitoes, but also fewer other insects, the air is fresher, and the mood is more pleasant.
And from another point of view, mosquito prevention through environmental management is actually a kind of respect for nature, we are not forcibly killing mosquitoes with chemicals, but by improving the environment, so that mosquitoes will naturally reduce, this method is not only effective, but also environmentally friendly, but also allows us to live in harmony with nature.
So, the next time we want to repel mosquitoes, we might as well take a look at the surrounding environment first, perhaps, the key to solving the problem is around us, especially the things we rarely notice, maybe it's okay.
With some simple environmental management, we can not only effectively reduce mosquitoes, but also create a more livable living space. Isn't it worth it?
epilogue
From the clever use of fans, to the natural mosquito repellent ability of plants, to the systematic approach to environmental management, we have seen the continuous progress and innovation of human beings in the fight against mosquitoes. It's not just for a quiet summer night, it's for a healthier, more eco-friendly way of life.
Each method has its own uniqueness, and what they all have in common is that it is simple, effective, environmentally friendly, and the solution to the problem is often all around us, the key is to observe carefully and use it flexibly.
What's more, these approaches allow us to rethink the relationship between humans and nature, not to fight mosquitoes or other creatures, but to learn to live in harmony with them, and by improving our living environment, we can not only reduce mosquito distress, but also create a more livable space.
So, the next time we're bothered by mosquitoes, we might as well try these methods and we may find that mosquito repellent can not only be simple, but also fun, and even an opportunity to improve the quality of life.
Resources:
Beiqingwang 2022-08-20 "Mosquitoes only love to bite you? Take it away without thanks! These methods allow mosquitoes to "cut off offspring"
Guangming.com 2023-08-17 "Mosquito bite index in Beijing climbs after heavy rain, how to "stagger peaks" with mosquitoes
People's Information 2021-05-21 "12 Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites"