Heat-friendly ways to protect against mosquitoes

Mosquitoes have always been a problem to most people and families. Usually the mosquito net is the first option to protect oneself from mosquito bites. The current hot weather however does not make them a very comfortable option as they seem to increase the heat, making sleep although mosquito-free, still uncomfortable. Here are other options that may come handy especially during the hot season to protect yourself from mosquitoes and therefore malaria:

Mosquito coils: Mosquito coils, burned indoors and outdoors, release insect repellant smoke to keep away mosquitoes. Dr Paul Muyanga from SAS clinic explains, “The combination of ingredients in the coil smoke prevents mosquitoes from entering the surrounding area, encourages them to leave the area if they have not already done so, or knocks the insects down and kills them.”

Each mosquito coil slowly burns for about eight hours, during which time repelling active ingredients such as pyrethroids or pyrethrum disperse with the smoke. One mosquito coil can serve a normal bedroom through the night. However Muyanga adds that coils lose their efficiency if burned for a long time. On whether the coil is safe for humans, the doctor adds, “Coils consist of an insecticide or repellant organic fillers that are capable of burning without causing any harm to humans.”

Mosquito repellant creams: According to Muyanga, mosquito repellants are made of chemical ingredients that repel mosquitoes hence making them unable to bite whoever is wearing a repellant . This is what makes these repellants an effective way of combating malaria. Mosquito repellants come in different scents but most commonly lemon and eucalyptus. However, these repellents, when used with children, must be used with caution lest they get in contact with their eyes or mouth as this could be dangerous.

Electric mosquito zapper: This is an electric device that works by using ultra violet light to lure in insects including mosquitoes and then kill them by a lethal dose of electrical charge. The zapper comes as stationary electric ones and potable ones that use batteries. Muyanga says that the zapper works well during the night when the mosquitoes are coming out to feed. This helps in mosquito control by killing them thereby controlling malaria as well.

Indoor residual spraying: Among the commonest methods is the use of insecticides to spray the house. The doctor says that insecticides work in a way that chemicals which are contained in the insecticides are used against the eggs and larvae of mosquitoes respectively and in that way, kill them and control their production. However, one should be cautious when choosing what kind of insecticide to use since some include ingredients toxic to human health.Cheaper and relatively effective are preventive measures which discourage mosquitoes from being around your home, like these below.

Environmental management: You could destroy their potential habitats. Cut surrounding bushes and over grown grass for instance because these facilitate laying of mosquito eggs, so when they are cut down egg production is less. Cleaning away stagnant water around a home would also reduce the production of mosquito eggs.

Close windows before dark: This works successfully with environmental management. According to Muyanga, mosquitoes come out from their hideout at night to feed and that is when they bite most so they find their way the house. To avoid them from entering into the house, it is always better to close the windows early, at twilight and sunset.

Cover up at night: Mosquitoes bite particularly at night, but overing up may be hard under this hot climate, so it could help if you applied the other measures, so that this is not necessary.