9 unusual but effective ways to repel mosquitoes

9 unusual but effective ways to repel mosquitoes

A mosquito bite can cause an irritating, itchy sensation to the point of distraction. Moreover, mosquito bites are associated with various diseases, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya. Today, several prevention measures exist for mosquito bites, ranging from traditional ones like bug sprays to more modern interventions. Choosing the right strategy to repel mosquitoes depends on the setting and the available resources. Read on to learn some effective ways to keep mosquitoes away:

Use citrus peel
Citrus peels contain natural oils which are highly effective in repelling mosquitoes. Thus, it helps to spray a solution made of citrus peels around the house or place citrus peels at different corners to keep mosquitoes away.

Place catnip plants in outdoor areas
While catnips are known to have a wide range of effects on cats, from hyperactivity to zoning out, they are also excellent additions to an outdoor space to prevent mosquito bites. Planting catnip plants around outdoor locations can help prevent mosquitoes from ruining one’s outdoor event or a relaxed evening by the lawn.

Spray lemon eucalyptus essential oil
This essential oil is a proven mosquito repellent when applied on the skin. Moreover, spraying a solution of it indoors or outdoors is another effective way to avoid mosquitoes. This DIY solution can be prepared by mixing a teaspoon of lemon eucalyptus essential oil and about a quarter cup of coconut oil and diluting it with some water.

Spread coffee grounds
Spreading out coffee grounds is a highly effective way of keeping mosquitoes away from one’s premises. It may also prevent mosquito egg growth.

Use garlic spray
Garlic contains allicin, a compound that is extremely potent in repelling mosquitoes. Moreover, its strong smell suffices to drive mosquitoes away. Garlic spray can be made at home by crushing a few garlic cloves, boiling them in water, cooling it, and straining the solution. One can spray it in one’s premises to prevent mosquitoes from entering the area.

Trim grass blades regularly
Mosquitoes typically rest and lay eggs amid tall grass blades; hence, not maintaining one’s lawn may cause the breeding of mosquitoes. It is important to mow one’s lawn once a week during the growing season and at least every other week at other times of the year.

Invest in bug zappers
Bug zappers are electrifying devices that are visually appealing, leveraging ultraviolet rays to attract mosquitoes toward them, and delivering an electric shock when they are in close proximity. Although bug zappers may be used indoors as well as outdoors, they need to be plugged in; hence, one would need to install a plug point at outdoor locations if they intend to place bug zappers there.

Prepare an apple cider vinegar spray
Mosquitoes tend to dislike the smell of apple cider vinegar; therefore, it may be an effective mosquito repellent. One can either spray apple cider vinegar or dip cotton balls in apple cider vinegar solution and place them around the area to prevent mosquitoes.

Turn on the fans or install table fans
Mosquitoes usually steer clear of places with moving air or fans. Hence, it is a good idea to turn on the fans in indoor spaces or install table fans outdoors to repel mosquitoes. It helps to ensure that there is sufficient breeze and ventilation in the area so that mosquitoes do not breed.

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5 mistakes to avoid while booking concert tickets

Booking concert tickets requires careful planning. However, the buying process has become easier with the availability of tickets online. But one can still end up making errors while booking tickets online, making them lose money or their favorite seats. One should avoid overlooking the booking details or losing their patience when trying to get tickets. Here are some other crucial mistakes one can make when buying concert tickets and how to avoid them: Overlooking key detailsBefore one tries to book concert tickets online or offline, they must get all the important information on the concert. This includes the date of the concert, the venue, and the arrangements one can expect. If one misses out on such details, they may end up booking the ticket and realizing they can’t make it on that day. This may either lead to the ticket being wasted or being resold on other websites. So, one must always check the concert details thoroughly and consider their own schedule and budget before buying tickets.Not creating an account beforehandSome websites prompt the user to create an account to buy the tickets. However, because of the fear of scams, people usually avoid creating accounts on such platforms till the last minute. Further, when the ticket sale is announced, the users lose valuable time in creating the account and are often disappointed at the unavailability of the preferred seats. So, one should check the legitimacy of the particular website, create an account before the tickets go live (preferably a couple of days prior), and then quickly book the tickets as per their preferences. Not verifying the platform’s credibilityToday, one can choose from multiple platforms to get concert tickets. However, the chances of all websites being legitimate are scarce. Some websites are often designed to scam people and take their money. So, when one does not verify that the website is genuine and legitimate before placing an order, they are exposed to the risk of losing a lot of money. So, one should look up customer reviews of the websites and even seek recommendations from friends and family for reliable booking platforms. This can help one save their hard-earned money from scammers and also make their ticket-buying experience hassle-free. Not using multiple devicesWhen one tries to buy concert tickets online, they use just one device and end up disappointed. This happens because the concert tickets sell out incredibly fast once announced. However, one can double their chances of booking tickets if they ask a friend to log on to the platform at the same time on a different computer or phone. This could help one ensure that if they are unable to get seats on one device, they could try the other one. Missing great offersWhen one’s favorite artist comes to town, they may jump at the chance to book the pre-sale tickets. However, booking tickets without checking for offers and discounts leads to overspending. So, to avoid making this mistake, one should check out offers on social media, booking platforms, and the organizer’s page beforehand to save money on the purchase.

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5 things to check before donating to a charity

Donating to a charity is a way for one to contribute to the well-being of others and give back to society. However, despite having the best of intentions, one can inadvertently encounter challenges or potential deceivers when donating. So, before proceeding to donate, it is essential for one to be informed and discerning about the charities they choose to support. Here are a few things that one must know and check before donating. The type of charity The first thing one must check about the charity they are donating to is their cause. It is crucial to have a clear understanding of the causes and type of charity one is supporting. A few common causes charities usually work toward include healthcare research, animal welfare, social services, environmental conservation, education, etc. Besides these, one must also learn about the charity’s mission and its aims with the funds received. Legal status, accreditation, and registration It is extremely important to find out about the charity’s legal status, accreditation, and registration before donating, as these aspects determine the organization's legitimacy. Reputable charities are typically registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Additionally, there are some reputable organizations that help find credible charities where one can donate. Transparency regarding donations Before donating to a charity, one must also find out how transparent the organization is regarding the donated funds. By inquiring about this, one can get to know essential information about where the funds will be allocated and how it may help the entire mission. Additionally, one must also seek to know about the percentage of donations that go directly to the cause versus administrative expenses. If an organization is reputable, it will openly disclose this information to its donors. The progress made so far If one is choosing to donate to an organization or a charity that has been working for a long time, one must find out about their contribution to their chosen field. A reputable charity should be able to showcase its impact and progress over time. One can also visit the charity or the donation’s website and find out their progress record. This information helps donors determine the effectiveness of the charity’s efforts. If the charity accepts in-kind donations Donations can go beyond money. One can also donate things that could be useful to either the charity or the ones they are helping. For instance, one can donate clothes to a charity that is helping underprivileged children. One can also donate healthcare equipment to a geriatric charity or pet food and other care supplies to an animal welfare charity. So, if one aims to make such in-kind donations, one must ask the charitable organization if they would accept it. A few other tips to ensure a secure donation It may be risky to donate via wire transfer or gift cards, as these methods are often associated with increased risks of fraud. When donating, one must stick to paying via card or checks. Check the bank balance after donating to confirm that only the intended donation amount has been deducted accurately. Keep a record of all donations.

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