Boiled bay leaves = “incense” that repels mosquitoes and flies? Is that true?

 

 

What’s the story behind this recipe? 1. Why bay leaves?

Bay leaves contain strong volatile oils, most importantly eucalyptol and linalool. The smell when you boil them is very strong for insects. Insects like the smell of food and dirt, not the strong smell of herbs. So they run away. 2. Is it true they’ll never reappear?

No  That’s a Facebook exaggeration.

The truth is: the smell makes them temporarily flee from the place with the smoke/steam. So their numbers will decrease significantly in the hour and the next two hours.

But if you still have garbage, uncovered food, or stagnant water… they’ll come back because the house is still “tempting” for them. 3. How do you make it? The method: Take 10-15 dried bay leaves. Boil them in a saucepan of water for 10 minutes until strong steam starts to rise. Reduce the heat and leave the saucepan uncovered in the middle of the house for an hour. Close the windows and doors to retain the scent. Afterward, ventilate the house. 3 tips to increase effectiveness: Enhance it: Add cloves or lemon peel to the bay leaves. The scent will be even stronger against insects. Not a substitute for cleaning: This is a “repellent,” not a “killer.” You still need to wipe down, cover the food, and prevent water from running down the drains. Be careful: If you have cats or small children, don’t leave the saucepan hot alone. The volatile oils are strong, so if you have asthma, ventilate the house immediately. In conclusion: A wonderful natural recipe with a lovely scent, and it really does repel insects for an hour or two. But “Amr Ma Ybano” = an exaggerated advertisement  Have you tried it before? Or do you want to try it today because the summer flies have started?