Combatting mosquitoes in Florence, once and for all!
- salli443
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
How best to stop the feisty mozzies from bothering you this summer, that doesn't involve the use of big nets, growing tobacco plants, smoking pipes, cigars or accurate electric bat use ~ which all work super well of course.
It seems that the males aren't the problem, it's the females who bite the skin to get the blood protein for their eggs. And it's better to deter them naturally, with either sprays or oils, candles and water mixes than use industrial manufactured chemicals. But there are a few perfume options on the market that smell better than mozi sprays and lower the risk of getting bitten this summer. For example, Eau De Buzz is specifically designed as a mosquito repellant.
The potent scent of Buzz and its essential oils disrupts the mosquitoes' ability to detect the chemical cues they rely on for finding their hosts, effectively repelling them. Also, Victoria’s Secret Bombshell is a widely recognised and popular perfume that researchers found to repel mosquitoes effectively for up to two hours when applied generously.
For men, someone told me that 10 sprays of Sauvage Elixir Dior will kill small animals and create a hole in the atmosphere. Maybe worth a try?
Joking aside, some of the top natural mosquito-repelling options you can grow easily in the garden, or plant in pots on the windowsill or for placing outside the house and near doorways.
Rosemary plants, especially big bushes, help a lot ✿
"Basil!" (Fawlty Towers kickback) ✿
Research suggests that basil may do more than add flavour to your meals in that it deters unwanted insects. The herb contains naturally occurring compounds including eugenol, linalool, and camphor, which are believed to contribute to its pest-repelling qualities. Among these, eugenol has attracted particular attention, with studies indicating it may be especially effective at discouraging mosquitoes. In concentrated applications, some findings suggest it can significantly reduce mosquito activity and landing rates.
Research indicates that certain compounds found in basil, such as eugenol, linalool, and camphor, possess insect-repelling properties. Studies have shown that eugenol, in particular, can repel mosquitoes effectively, with some research suggesting that it can reduce mosquito landings by up to 90% when applied in concentrated forms.
Geranium plants, geranium oil and infused water works wonders ✿
Scented geraniums, especially lemon or citronella varieties are top flowering choices for deterring mosquitoes, as they emit strong scents like pyrethrum and citronella oil that insects dislike and avoid. Plant them all round your garden, windowsills and doorways. (Even up the drive like we have).
Here is a great website for general flower-use reference: https://survivalgardenseeds.com/blogs/survival-garden-training/8-flowers-to-repel-garden-pests
Planting Marigolds is very effective ✿
Potted Cilantro, or the oil is another major player in mosquito deterrence ✿
Citronella candles, obviously ✿
Always handy to have citronella candles around when enjoying some outdoor time, barbecues, pool relaxation or simply al fresco dining, always be sure to be burning these nearby. The animals will only sniff them once. Why not make your own?
The scourge of our lives in Firenze is mainly the fearless and loud tiger mosquito. A black-and-white striped pest called 'Aedes albopictus', AKA the Asian tiger mosquito, or zebra mosquito. Zanzara.
Oregano oil or infused water is good and really easy to make ✿
Treat clothes with oregano essence in the wash to deter mosquitoes (incidentally, the right amount of oregano oil on sun lesions can apparently help heal the skin, so I'm told). Though, stay out of the sun! Studies found that oregano essential oil, is rich in carvacrol and thymol, which acts as an effective repellent against species like Aedes aegypti and Anopheles mosquitoes, the ones that can cause denge and yellow fever.
Preparing Oregano infused water, and the use of its essential oil ✿
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Primally Pure Nature Spray is DEET free ✿ DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a synthetic chemical and a common active ingredient in insect repellents. This Nature Spray Mosquito Repellent is a good option if you are short on time for growing the right flowers, or making effective lotions and potions. Click the image for the website link.
Lavender is very effective and smells sweeter than geraniums imo ✿
Lavender essential oil is good for bite prevention, or citronella, peppermint, lemongrass, tea tree, basil, patchouli, sage, cedarwood, thyme, clove, just like the oil made from the geranium can demonstrate significant repellent properties against various mosquito species.
Here's how some of them work, and how long they last: -
Lemon eucalyptus oil (containing PMD) provides up to 96% repellency for 4–6 hours at a 30% dilution.
Clove oil offers the longest duration of 100% repellency, lasting 2–4 hours against multiple mosquito types.
Catnip oil has been shown to be roughly 10 times more effective than DEET in some studies.
Thyme oil (containing carvacrol and alpha-terpinene) provides at least 89% efficacy for about an hour.
Peppermint oil can protect against bites for up to 2.5 hours.
Geraniol (derived from citronella, lemongrass, and rose) is effective for 2–4 hours. This oil is effective at deterring various insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and moths. A relaxing fragrance for me, but thankfully it tends to be unpleasant for many bugs. It's good to incorporate lavender oil into DIY insect repellent blends or use diffusers at home, indoors and out, to keep the evil mozzies (zanzare) away.
In planting the seasonal anti-mosquito flowers, we are helping the bees too. Win, win. 🌺 🐝