Fighting mosquitoes: Have you ever tried these DIY methods to get rid of them?

Every year the arrival of summer marks the time when we can dress in lighter clothes, enjoy more hours of sunny skies during the day and spend time outdoors, especially in the evening. But all these pleasant activities often bring with them an enemy that is not too silent (at times): mosquitoes.

We all know how annoying these vile insects are, and how they can disturb our precious moments of relaxation and rest and also cause irritation and intolerable itching with their bites. So what can we do to combat this insidious, some would even say accursed, presence in our lives? There are a number of remedies to try, such as the ones mentioned below:

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• Invest in getting an electric mosquito net or portable electric mozzie zapper: This is a somewhat of cruel remedy, and also can be annoying to manage, but it often works well if the situation is not out of control and the number of mosquitoes in the area is not overwhelming . Mosquitoes (but unfortunately also other insects that are not necessarily harmful, such as moths and others) are attracted to the light, and when they come into contact with the glowing surface they are zapped ... stone dead.
• Aromatic candles: the aroma of certain plants and spices acts as a natural repellent. Hence, lavender, lemongrass, geranium are natural fragrances to rely on as a repellant.
• Essential oils: The extracts from the plants mentioned above also work for DIY remedies. You can pour a few drops into 250 ml of water in a spray bottle and spray it on yourself  (but first do a test on a small area of your skin and make sure you do not have allergies to any of the plants which you use essential oils of). You can also spray the mixture onto mosquito nets (on windows) and the curtains.
• Burning coffee grounds: burn the grounds inside a tin can or a ceramic container. They should burn slowly like incense or coils, and the sour smell of the smoke will work just as well as the other remedies.
• Prepare a sugar and yeast trap: Cut a plastic bottle in half, tuck the neck upside down into the bottom and seal the two halves together with masking tape. Fill the bottom with water then add two or three tablespoons of sugar and a gram of baking powder (or a few grams of yeast). Shake well to mix and this will attract the mosquitoes which will then become trapped in the container and will eventually drownd themselves.
• Place fans pointed at the entry points of the house - it is true that they will not cool you down, but the flow of air will make it impossible for mosquitoes to fly into the entrances.

Do you have a favorite method to deal with blood-sucking mosquitoes?