An ingenious trick to repel mosquitoes is spreading on social media – That is the opinion of a researcher – 2024-06-04 16:49:53

The reply to the mosquito downside within the yard might be discovered elsewhere than on the shop’s mosquito repellent shelf. Illustration picture. Mostphotos

Within the Mökkihöperöt group on Fb, an ingenious trick to repel mosquitoes has emerged.

Ilta-Sanomat beforehand reported on the sly gimmick.

One member of the group says that he has positioned a lemon-scented air freshener on the desk exterior. He says in his publication that the mosquitoes stayed away.

– Not a mosquito’s mosquito, the creator assures.

The Normal Contemporary model air freshener containing gel is offered in a number of on-line shops. The value varies between one and two euros. It’s a plastic case, the gel inside which releases the scent into its environment.

Completely potential

Professor on the College of Oulu, entomologist Marko Mutanen has not tried the air freshener as a mosquito repellent, however considers its effectiveness potential. Bugs have a exact sense of scent, and sure substances might be repulsive to them for varied causes, he says.

Mutanen can not say with certainty what the claimed energy of the air freshener might be primarily based on. He speculates that the rationale might be present in evolution and the survival strategies of bugs.

Citric acid acts as a sort of “protection chemical” in nature, and mosquitoes might keep away from the scent of lemon for this very cause. For instance, ants spray citric acid in protection.

– In nature, citric acid is normally an indication of hazard, says Mutanen.

The story continues after the image.

Mutanen emphasizes that he’s not utterly certain about this, and there are a lot of potential causes for the fragrance’s effectiveness. He reminds us that there are an enormous variety of completely different on a regular basis chemical compounds inside folks’s attain, and the potential effectiveness of a lot of them as insect repellants is unknown.

Based on Mutanen, bugs additionally know find out how to keep away from many different risks.

– Bugs should not silly. They do not even fly into the fireplace. They acknowledge temperature fluctuations and know find out how to be careful for hearth.

Correct sense of scent

Entomologist at Kainuu ELY Middle Reima Leinonen thinks to Ilta-Sanom that the robust scent also can forestall mosquitoes from discovering folks primarily based on the scent.

Marko Mutanen is suspicious of the guess.

– In nature, bugs are normally amongst thousands and thousands of smells once they scent, for instance, the scent of a feminine of their very own species. They aren’t bothered by different scents.

Mosquitoes discover an individual primarily primarily based on the carbon dioxide launched from respiration.

Price a attempt

Mutanen would not suppose there are any specific issues with sporting a robust scent.

– That is fairly a broad query. In fact, some robust smells might be harmful for people as nicely. But when that the substance is protected, then why not attempt it.

Mutanen has not tried the air freshener, however finds the concept fascinating.

– I’d love to do that myself sooner or later.

The researcher himself normally makes use of conventional repellents which can be utilized to the pores and skin. He has additionally spoken out in favor of the much-hyped Thermacell repellent gadget.