Buzz off! Effective ways to deter mosquitoes during Australia’s monster mosquito season
“Got it!” says my husband, wielding a tennis bat-like zapper in his PJs, as I blearily lie my head back on the pillow, praying the rest of the night will be free from incessant buzzing and bites.
Our weapon of choice works well for us, once we find the elusive little vampires. Across the world, people use all manner of deterrents, from eating garlic and soaking cigarette butts in alcohol to burning animal dung, spraying diesel and Windex, or drinking gin and tonic. Then there are ultrasound wristbands, sonic plug-in emitters and carnivorous plants.
These desperate measures aren’t just devised to avoid a pesky irritation. Some mosquitoes can transmit diseases, in Australia most commonly Ross River virus.
Published by The Guardian.
