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7 unusual ways to keep mosquitoes away

7 unusual ways to keep mosquitoes away

Mosquitoes are carriers of dangerous diseases like dengue, malaria, and West Nile Virus, making it crucial to avoid their presence in and around the house. A Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) study found over 1,000 cases of mosquito-borne infections nationwide last year. Mosquitoes tend to be vectors of a variety of viruses. Therefore, to avoid mosquito-driven infections, here are some unconventional yet practical ways to keep them at bay.

Spreading out coffee grounds
One of the most weird ways to keep mosquitoes away is using coffee grounds. These are surprisingly efficacious in repelling mosquitoes anywhere. Mosquitoes tend to breed in stagnant pools and puddles of water. To inhibit the breeding, one can spread coffee grounds on the surface of such pools and puddles. The grounds form a barrier that prevents oxygen from entering the water surface. This results in the suffocation and elimination of mosquitoes and their larvae underneath the surface.
Apart from preventing larvae from growing into adult mosquitoes, this method is also an eco-friendly way to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Adding piñon wood to one’s wood stack
Mosquitoes find certain odors incredibly repulsive, and the scent of piñon wood is one of them. Piñon wood tends to work like incense, another common tool used to drive mosquitoes away, and gives off a strong aroma that mosquitoes cannot stand. So, the next time an individual or group is camping outdoors, they can add liberal amounts of this wood to their wood stack while lighting up their fire pit. Doing so will ensure that their conversations are not interrupted by pesky mosquitoes and their buzzing sound.

Using essential oil spray
Oil sprays come with a host of benefits. However, only some know how effective they are in keeping mosquitoes at bay. Their underrated appeal makes the usage of oil sprays one of the weirdest ways to keep mosquitoes away. Essential oil spray mixtures are easy to concoct at home. One can use oils such as lavender, thyme, or peppermint in their concoction. Once that is done, individuals can use a spray bottle to sprinkle little quantities of the concoction to keep mosquitoes away. The sweetest-smelling oils tend to repulse mosquitoes more due to the strong nature of their aroma.

Putting dryer sheets in pockets
Like many solutions listed here, dryer sheets may not be among the first things to think of when considering keeping mosquitoes away. Nevertheless, these sheets, normally used to freshen laundry, are also excellent and proven mosquito repellents. One can create fragrant barriers around them by slipping a dryer sheet into the pocket of their shirt or jacket or tying one onto their belt. Certain chemicals in dryer sheets can interfere with mosquitoes’ receptors, which they use to locate potential bite victims. As a result, using dryer sheets can prevent the pests from finding hosts to infect.

Using bug zappers
Among all the marvelous and weird tricks and tips listed here, using bug zappers may seem generic and conventional. However, their sheer effectiveness makes them a candidate on any list about keeping mosquitoes at bay. Bug zappers resemble tennis rackets, and users can simply swish their way into rooms and places with many mosquitoes. The electricity contained in these devices is small enough not to harm kids and other humans and heavy enough to incinerate mosquitoes flying in the air.

Wearing light-colored clothing
People frequently focus on using oils, traps, and other devices while strategizing about keeping mosquitoes away. However, not many may think about the clothes that they wear. Mosquitoes and other pests are attracted to specific colors of clothing, mainly the darker ones. Dark-colored clothes not only attract mosquitoes, flies, and other pests during the night but also keep them camouflaged there. Lighter-colored clothing, on the other hand, enables people to see if they have a mosquito or cockroach crawling on their apparel. Also, lighter-colored clothes have been known to drive mosquitoes away from a person.

Deploying outdoor traps
Outdoor traps emit carbon dioxide that lures mosquitoes in. Additionally, the pests are attracted to the heat and light emitted by these devices. Once mosquitoes enter the trap, they cannot fly out and, eventually, collapse and perish inside due to suffocation. This makes outdoor traps one of the most ruthlessly efficient mosquito killers.

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Avoid these 10 cleaning mistakes

It might sound surprising, but there are some wrong ways of cleaning your home. While your living spaces may look cleaner even with these ineffective methods, you might just help the breeding of bacteria or set yourself up for more cleaning! So, take a minute to think about your cleaning routine and how you can make it more effective. Avoid these cleaning mistakes to make your home look fresher and cleaner for a long time.Using too much laundry detergent or softenerUsing too much detergent doesn’t make your clothes cleaner. Instead, you may find traces of leftover detergent after the wash. It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for fabric softener, as too much softener may make the fabrics stiff and greasy.Overloading the dishwasherAdding too many utensils to your dishwasher may affect its ability to clean well. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when loading the dishwasher.Using the same rag everywhereEven if your rag or cleaning cloth does not look old, it must be replaced regularly to avoid spreading dirt or germs across surfaces. You may switch to a microfiber towel in combination with a disinfectant spray.Not cleaning out the vacuumIt is important to regularly clean out the waste bag in your vacuum cleaner to effectively clean up a space. Otherwise, you will just end up pushing dirt around!Using furniture polish to dustAlthough furniture polish can make surfaces look clean and shiny, it must be used sporadically. It tends to have a higher concentration of oil, which can make fingerprints more prominent on smooth surfaces and make your home look unkempt. Instead, it is best to clean furniture with a barely damp cloth.Spraying cleaners directly on electronicsDirectly spraying cleaners onto devices like laptops, cell phones, or TVs may be damaging. Instead, spray the cleaner onto a clean microfiber cloth and then wipe the surface with it.Ignoring remote controlsThis is one of the most common cleaning mistakes to avoid. The remote controls around the house may be managed by multiple people a day. So, be sure to clean and sanitize them well.Using dish soap on wooden cutting boardsCutting boards need to be cleaned more carefully, as they may lead to cross-contamination, especially after chopping meats. Instead of relying on soap and warm water, soak the board in a bleach solution to clean it well.Scrubbing stains out of carpetsScrubbing a stain on upholstery can damage the fabric. So, avoid this cleaning mistake, and instead, blot as much of the spill as possible with a paper towel. Rinse it well and blot dry again. Use a carpet stain remover if required.Forgetting to take out the trashClearing out the trash regularly will help you maintain a clean home. But this isn’t enough; leaks or tears in the bag may cause spills inside the can. Remember to wipe down the trash can with a bleach cleaning solution to ward off any undesirable smells from your home. If you are using harsh chemicals in your cleaning routine, make sure you wear gloves during the process and don’t forget to ventilate the room once you are done cleaning. This can help you stay safe and not inhale any toxic fumes. So, avoid these cleaning mistakes to make sure your home remains healthy and hygienic.

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8 mistakes to avoid while moving into a new home

Moving into a new home is always a special experience. At the same time, it is also regarded as one of the most stressful times in one's life. Individuals must simultaneously pay attention to many things, from packing and cleaning to saying goodbye to their old home, which makes it a bittersweet episode. To make this transition smoother, we have discussed eight mistakes one must avoid while moving into a new home. Not verifying if the new home is ready to move into Individuals must check whether their new home is ready to move into before moving day. If the property or the space around it is undergoing renovations, it increases the risk of injuries, accidents, and allergies. Not having the utilities up and running For a hassle-free living experience, one must ensure that utilities like gas, water, electricity, and Wi-Fi are up and running. Failing to do so may cause frustration, unexpected delays, and increased expenses during the initial days in the new home. Failing to hire a mover Moving homes is a long and cumbersome process. Instead of trying to navigate the journey independently, individuals must hire a moving company. These professional services make the packing process stress-free by bringing their own resources, from boxes and protection material to moving trucks. However, one should ensure these services are booked well in advance to avoid mix-ups and last-minute delays. Individuals should research well to find the right moving company according to their needs. When shortlisting names, one should consider the cost, services offered, and professionalism. Reading online reviews is also critical as it helps people make better-informed decisions and increases the likelihood of a smooth transition into the new home. Not securing the new house well Another common mistake people make when moving to a new home is failing to secure it against invaders and outside forces. Here are a few security aspects to consider before moving in: Locks Secure the new house by changing all the locks so only current occupants can access the property. Windows and doors Check whether the windows and doors shut tight and function properly. If not, fix them. Fire extinguisher Ensure a functional fire extinguisher is placed on every floor of the house. Escape route Create an escape route in case of emergencies, and share it with every occupant. Burglar alarm Depending on the neighborhood, installing a burglar alarm may help keep the house safe. Skipping furniture measurements before the move Before moving into the new house, individuals must measure it properly to ensure their furniture fits well. One must measure the doorways and hallways besides the living room, bedrooms, and other rooms. This step is critical in ensuring the furniture moves through easily to different living spaces. Forgetting to pack a survival kit Usually, there's a lot of chaos on moving day. It is easy to get swept up in the havoc and forget basic items, such as cell phones, chargers, and wallets. To avoid rummaging through boxes later to find these things, individuals must pack them well. One must also pack a survival kit: a bag containing daily essentials like clothes, non-perishable snacks, toothbrushes, phone chargers, power banks, wallets, towels, and first aid supplies. If possible, people should create separate bags for each family member. Neglecting one's valuables During a move, it is common to misplace items. To ensure no valuables are missed or lost, one must pack them securely. Important documents and other valuables like money, passports, birth certificates, jewelry, precious gifts, and property titles must always remain with the owner, not the movers. Forgetting to change the address When moving into a new home, one must immediately have their postal address changed with the USPS (United States Postal Services). Failure to do so may result in losing mail, essential bills, and documents and lead to other unnecessary problems. One can have their address changed in four simple ways: Visit the local post office to complete the Change of Address (COA) procedure. Log into the USPS official website and file a change of address request. Call 1-800-ASK-USPS and follow the prompts to change the address. Post or mail a filled-out PS Form 3575 to the Postmaster, United States Postal Service.

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