During the rainy season, your chances of getting bit by mosquitoes are high, and thus, the rate of malaria infection.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria is a public health problem in Kenya and it imposes substantial economic costs on the government. Over the last five years, the Kenyan government has spent over Sh. 61.9 billion.
Despite these efforts, there are over 10,000 malaria deaths reported each year with the western Kenya region being the most affected.
Mosquito nets alone are not enough to keep mosquitoes away as they will bite you even before bedtime. The good news is that multiple ways can be used to keep mosquitoes away from our homesteads and the surroundings;
- Getting Rid of Mosquitoes Breeding Grounds.
Prevention is better than cure. It is better to prevent mosquitoes from getting near you than to treat malaria. This can be achieved by destroying mosquitoes’ natural and manmade breeding grounds.
Mosquitoes’ breeding sites include bodies of still water, decaying logs, tall grasses, and piles of leaves. You should also ensure that baby pools, brackets, and watering cans are covered or kept inside the house to prevent them from getting water.
- Use Mosquito Repellents
The use of repellents is one of the most effective ways to keep mosquitoes away. Repellents are effective for almost 8 hours and use ingredients like picardin or DEET.
Mosquitoes in large areas are expelled using repellents like citronella candles or lanterns or a battery-powered mosquito repellent.
- Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants
Mosquito-repelling plants are herbs with strong scents that keep mosquitoes away from the backyard.
These plants include; basil, garlic, lavender, catnip, bee balm, rosemary, queen of the night, and citronella.
- Set Mosquito Traps
Mosquito traps like zappers, vacuum traps, breeding traps, and DIY traps are also effective in keeping mosquitoes away.
These traps attract mosquitoes and enclose them so that they will not leave their breeding areas. This will help reduce the mosquito population in your yard.
