Ants, Mosquitoes and Wasps: What Irritates Us on the Dacha and How to Deal with It

Drain wet areas of the plot

Ditches, puddles and even barrels are favorite spots for mosquitoes. Where it's dry and hot, they don't appear. They mainly live in forests and near water bodies, but even a small container with rainwater is enough to ruin your rest. Therefore, if you're planning to buy or rent a house, evaluate its distance from water bodies and its location relative to runoff: the lower the plot, the more mosquitoes there will be.

If they're already present

Repellents and fumigators will help. The former can be in spray, gel, cream or bracelet form, while the latter, when lit, emit a substance that repels insects. The most effective ones are electric. Plug them into an outlet overnight.

The effectiveness of ultrasonic and UV repellents is not proven. It's not worth spending money on them. Better buy antihistamine gel: it will ease the suffering after bites.

Modernize the Dacha Toilet

Food scraps, waste and fertilizers attract swarms of flies. So if you have an outdoor toilet, it should be filled in and moved further from the house, or better yet, consider installing a septic tank. Evaluate whether you need a compost pit on the plot. Decide what you want more: compost or peace of mind. Flies transmit viral, parasitic, bacterial and intestinal diseases, so getting rid of them is not just a comfort issue.

If they're already present

Sticky tape and electric traps will help. Note that the first ones contain poison and can be potentially toxic, so they should be kept out of reach of children and pets and handled with gloves. A more eco-friendly option is an aromalamp with clove, eucalyptus and anise oils. These same oils can also be dripped onto the lampshade, near the stove and on windowsills.

Inspect the attic and everything under the roof

If there are many wasps on the plot, you need to find and destroy their nest: boil it in a bucket or special solution for a day. Wasps are dangerous: if someone is allergic, they can die from swelling. Keep antihistamines and prednisolone ampoules at hand. If you find a nest and decide to destroy it, do so wearing thick leather gloves, tight clothing, protective mask and goggles. But it's better to call a professional pest control service.

Don't Kill Spiders

The belief that killing spiders brings misfortune is not without sense. These insects are completely harmless. They feed on other insects: so if spiders have appeared, it means there's clothes moth in the closet, bed bugs in the mattress or maggots in the garden. The web can be removed with a damp cloth wrapped around a mop, and for other insects as a preventive measure, set up repellents.

Don't Step on Ants — It's Pointless

Burning anthills is also not recommended, especially since it's dangerous. Still, you need to get rid of them: ants damage flower beds and fruit trees and carry bacteria on their legs.

What to Do If They're Already There

1. Use chemical insecticides: aerosols and sticks.

2. Repel with light traps.

3. Set traps with toxic baits. Sold in special sections with repellents.

Checklist for Prevention

Keep garbage containers and compost piles as far from the house and relaxation areas as possible.

Install mosquito nets on windows. In any building, seal all cracks and gaps in floors, walls, and ceilings.

Ensure proper irrigation so that the dacha plot does not have wet spots.

Pool, well and other water containers should be covered tightly where possible to prevent mosquitoes from laying their larvae there.

Regularly clean rooms with a damp cloth, including hard-to-reach and hidden corners.

Clear up all crumbs and traces of food. Store food and sweets in tightly sealed containers and bags.

Regularly take out the trash, tie up the bag with food waste at night.

Plant several small herb beds next to the house and pavilion with mint, lavender or basil. Hawthorn and pansies also have a repelling effect.