A MOSQUITO expert has revealed a 20p hack to ensure the pesky critters stay away from you this summer.
Now that summer is finally upon us, and with again next week, many of us are likely making plans for or visits to countryside cottages.
But there’s nothing worse than sitting outside on a warm ‘s night, only to be attacked by a swarm of .
Although thankfully, mosquitoes in the UK do not carry malaria, they are still prone to biting humans, which can be itchy and cause swelling.
Shop-bought repellants can be an effective method of keeping mozzies at bay, but these contain harsh chemicals, and can be expensive.
Thankfully, Shannon Harlow-Ellis of Mosquito Joe has revealed that you can banish the beasts with the help of a 20p kitchen staple.
The mosquito-busting expert revealed that a simple trick is to use vinegar mixed with essential oils.
Vinegar is something most of us will have lying in the back of the cupboard, but if you don’t have any you can pick it up from the supermarket for as little as 20p.
The expert recommends mixing your vinegar with essential oils such as lavender or cinnamon.
These are also a budget-friendly buy, and can be picked up from Amazon for just £3.95.
To try out the hack, all you need to do is mix the two ingredients together in a spray bottle and then spritz your body before going outside.
And if you’re worried about smelling like a fish and chip shop, don’t worry, as the essential oils will mask the vinegar’s scent.
The purse-friendly hack works by masking your natural odour, which mosquitoes look for when hunting.
“These essential oils are found to be a mask for the odours that female mosquitoes are attuned to when searching for a blood meal,”; Shannon told Martha Stewart.
“Sweat, body odor, CO2, and sometimes even your blood type can emit smells that attract these bloodsuckers.”;
Mosquitos also hate the smell of vinegar, so will be sure to keep well away if they get a whiff of the kitchen essential.
The pesky insects are most active in the early morning and at night, so make sure to be vigilant with spraying yourself at these times of day.
They tend to stay away in the middle of the day, as warmer can dehydrate them.
Make sure to regularly reapply to avoid being bitten, as once the fragrance is gone, the repellent won’t work anymore.
It is also a good idea to avoid wearing bright coloured clothing as this can attract mosquitoes.
Manyexperts also claim that are the key to keeping them away.
Experts atWW Gardeningrecommend drying the coffee grounds out and then placing them on a fire-resistant container like a metal tray.
You can then light the grounds with a match like you would incense to keep the pests at bay.
