Having bloodthirsty mosquitoes bite you when you’re having a barbecue or simply sitting outside having a drink with friends is a sure way to put a damper on your evening.
But there’s a simple way to keep mosquitoes away, an electric fan!
You can have mosquito traps, bug zappers, or natural repellents, but you will probably still be bitten. Only if your skin is completely covered by clothing or insect repellant will you be completely protected.
Having your body covered with clothing when it’s hot or plastering insect repellant on your skin aren’t the most pleasant ways to spend your evenings.
So it’s worth trying this low-tech mosquito deterrent to keep the skeeters away from you and your guests. It uses inexpensive equipment that you may already have in your house.
A Low-Tech Deterrent
An electric fan!
This works because it takes into account the fact that mosquitoes are not strong fliers. Any sort of wind will affect them.
The moving air will also disperse our CO2 emissions, making it harder for the mosquitoes to home in on us.
Wind from the fan will also make you cooler. Sweat, lactic acid, and body heat attract mosquitoes; a fan can help minimize these factors.
A fan or two placed on your terrace or near your table will keep the mosquitoes at bay. Perhaps not 100% if you are severely affected by huge numbers of mosquitoes, as in the video below. But in normal conditions, it can make an area of your backyard usable again.
In the house, this can also be very effective. If mosquitoes bug you at night, place an oscillating fan near your bed. This will help to keep you cool and also keep the mosquitoes away.
Although this may be a little-known way of keeping these insects at a distance, it is recognized as being a low-tech solution by the American Mosquito Contol Association.
The bigger the fan you use and the smaller the area you are trying to protect, the better your chances of keeping a mosquito-free zone.
Using a fan is effective and clean. No harmful chemicals or pesticides are needed. No zapping sounds or odors.
Using a fan to trap mosquitoes
Fans can keep mosquitoes away from you due to the breeze they create, but they can also be used to capture mosquitoes. I’ve seen a couple of videos on YouTube that give some impressive results.
You need a box fan and some window screening. You attach the screening to the back of the fan, which intakes the air.
When the fan is switched on, the mosquitoes will be drawn in and collect on the surface of the screening. The skeeters may not be dead when they are on the screening, so you will have to kill them. You can spray isopropyl alcohol diluted with an equal quantity of water to kill the mosquitoes.
You can remove any other types of insects, such as moths, before spraying.
If you’ve tried this method, let us know your results in the comments below.
Prevention is better
Although using a fan is an eco-friendly solution to protect you. Eliminating any standing water on your property is the first step to consider to prevent these insects from reproducing.
Still water is the breeding ground for mosquito larvae. Empty any containers, kiddie pools, birdbaths, pet drinking water, or pots at least once a week. Check your gutters aren’t blocked.
For any water that can’t be emptied or drained, add a mosquito dunk. The dunks dissolve and release a bacteria that kills the larvae. The bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis, is a natural way to destroy mosquito larvae and won’t hurt fish, wildlife, or pets.
I hope this low-tech deterrent has given you a new simple idea on how to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
