an invasion of mosquitoes has spread throughout the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area in recent weeks. Faced with the annoyance caused by traveling through the streets and squares of the city and even in indoor environments without mosquitoes landing on clothing and exposed skin, specialists state that this ‘pest’ is a consequence of the recent rainfall that hit the AMBA and climate changes.
“They are insects affected by the rains (…) there is research on this phenomenon and the hatching of the eggs. “The floods have led to these processes, giving rise to the appearance of new mosquitoes.”said María Victoria Micieli, principal researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and director of the Center for Parasitological and Vector Studies (Cepave), in conversation with Radio Province.
According to Micieli, coexistence with mosquitoes It will last approximately 15 or 20 more days. “We know it as ‘pest mosquito’ and it is different from dengue”he emphasized.
In the fight against mosquitoes, more and more people are turning alternatively to natural repellents. These home remedies, such as eucalyptus oil and lavender oil, have gained popularity for their supposed effectiveness and be considered safer for health and the environment.
“Interestingly, it is known that “The first repellent that humans used against mosquitoes was the smoke that resulted from lighting fires to cook food and to protect themselves from the adversities of the climate,” says Ramiro Heredia (MN 117882), specialist in medical clinic at the Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín.
The doctor states that, although what is recommended by health professionals is to opt for repellents approved by medical societies, if you do not have or need an immediate solution, it may be practical to use home remedies.
“Its effectiveness is less than that of commercial repellents.”but they can get you out of trouble,” he says. Subsequently, he adds that along with natural alternatives, other mosquito control measures such as the use of mosquito nets and the removal of containers that may accumulate stagnant waterfor better results in protecting against mosquito bites.
It is one of the best-known and recommended natural repellents due to its citrus component. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the USA have approved eucalyptus oil as an effective mosquito repellent ingredient.
A research titled “Comparative laboratory and field evaluation of repellent formulations containing Deet and oil of lemon eucalyptus against mosquitoes in Queensland, Australia” confirmed that as an alternative to commercial repellents, A mixture of 32% eucalyptus oil with lemon provided more than 95 percent protection against mosquitoes for 3 hours to citizens who were on the beach.
in the book Adopt slow cosmetics of the biologist Julien Kaibeck, states that This oil is a good travel companion, especially for mountain activities, since If mixed with hair beauty products or skin moisturizer, it will help keep insects away.
In addition to the possibility of mixing it with beauty products; The preparation to achieve a ‘homemade’ insecticide consists of dilute drops of eucalyptus essential oil in approximately 200 milliliters of warm water and spray the preparation in areas of the home where mosquitoes usually enter.
Throw 250 grams of eucalyptus leaves in a liter of water and boil for about 45 minutes. With the mixture still hot, spray it on the areas of the house where you do not want mosquitoes to enter.
Contraindications: “It can cause bronchospasm phenomena in people with previous susceptibility. Furthermore, it is not recommended in children under 3 years of age or in concentrations greater than 30% above that age,” Dr. Francisco Dadic, toxicologist and director of Toxicology Today, tells LA NACION.
Known for its sweet and spicy aroma, cinnamon is promoted as another possible natural mosquito repellent. According to some scientific studies, this spice could have repellent properties that help avoid mosquito bites.
A report on insect repellents carried out by the National University of Córdoba delved into the potential of natural alternatives to protect against mosquitoes and highlighted the use of cinnamon as a defense agent; However, the same publication emphasizes that its effectiveness is temporarily limited.
The use of cinnamon as a protector can be useful after Boil the spice in water for a few minutes, let it cool, then strain the resulting liquid and mix it with a ‘drip’ of baby oil. If placed in a spray bottle, Heredia advises spreading it around the environment before applying it to the skin.
Contraindications: “As it is a natural product, it is not toxic, but if applied topically it could cause irritation in cases of people with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Heredia.
With the crushed flowers of the lavender plant you can produce an oil that has the ability to repel mosquitoes. “Its topical application provides some degree of protection against bites, although its duration of action is surely limited,” says Dr. Heredia.
A study called “Repellent activities of essential oils and monoterpenes against Culex pipiens pallens found that, by testing four types of essential oils (including lavender) on laboratory rats, The lavender one proved to have the ability to protect against adult trumpeter mosquitoes (known as the most common).
Likewise, lavender has analgesic, antifungal and antiseptic qualities, which means that in addition to keeping mosquitoes awayhelps soothe the skin in case it has been stung.
To corroborate its effects, two possible uses can be used: 1) incorporate a few drops of lavender essential oil in the body cream that is used daily and reapply when it is perceived that the protective effect has ceased; 2) boil water with lavender flowers, let it cool, strain the mixture and Pour into a spray bottle along with a small dose of alcohol to obtain a repellent that can be spread throughout the home.
Contraindications: The United States National Library of Medicine reports that lavender oil can cause a reaction in children who ingest small amounts, but that the greatest effects are linked to allergic skin reactions in previously exposed subjects.
Finally, Dr. Dadic adds, at a general level, other advice to take into account: “You should discard bracelets with chemical repellents, garlic or vitamin B1 ingested by mouth, ultrasound devices designed to keep insects away and those for the garden that ‘electrocute’ insects (in fact, they can attract them).”
