This week celebrated World Mosquito Day and right on cue the mozzies are already revealing themselves (yes, even in chilly Melbourne). It is a timely reminder to spring into action to protect your family, home and pets from the dangerous and destructive bugs the warmer weather brings.
I like to get my Bug Spring Cleaning plan in place ready for the warmer days. World Mosquito Day marks the anniversary of the mozzie/malaria cause being discovered. It is also the perfect time to get our homes ready for spring and the insect onslaught.
Let’s start with Mozzies as they really are the harbingers of many nasty diseases. At worst, they can be deadly carrying dengue fever, malaria, zika, chikungunya and West Nile fever. At best, they ruin a BBQ and deliver nasty bites.
If you are not living in a rain forest, using products with toxic synthetic chemicals like DEET might be over kill. Even though they are effective at killing mozzies and flies there are some safety concerns when used around children, pets and food. The good news is you don’t have to go the full nuclear option.
As I live opposite a lake, mozzie control is mandatory. For my home and around my pets, I prefer using the power of nature in the form of natural pyrethrins derived from the Chrysanthemum Daisy. My mission was finding a natural product that delivered. I was keen to avoid anything that was assaulting my senses with aggressive smells and leaving a layer of greasy chemical cream on my skin.
I was delighted to find a product called Ecomist Natural Insect Killer. Not only did it deter mozzies by releasing a small fragrance-free burst of spray at regular intervals into the air, it delivered massive benefits in controlling all of the other household bugs.
It works in a unique way. This natural pyrethrins product is not a knock down killer but the insects don’t like it and they move out. I have literally seen a fly do a u-turn when it flew in the door. It effects the bugs nervous system and the bug moves house. If the bug is contained, it will eventually die.
To my delight it worked on the pesky mozzies, flies, spiders, cockroaches, ants, moths, and in fact all the creepy crawlies hidden in our homes. It even works on fleas so my cats are flea free and so is their bedding.
Whilst on my mission to manage mozzies, especially outdoors I found an old wives tale that really works too. If you have strong fans at your outdoor BBQ, the mozzies are not strong enough to fly against the wind. This really does work and perfect for that summer afternoon BBQ. Some strategically placed fans ensure that the mozzie remain downwind and you remain bite free.
Alternatively, take the easy, effective and low impact option and check out ecomist.
Now with the Bug Spring Clean plan in place all we need is the Spring weather.
Ecomist Natural Insect Killer is available at
