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I’m an internet mom – you can grate a household product you already have in your home to protect from mosquitos
A GRANDMA influencer has revealed how you can use your grater for more than just cheese this summer.
The internet mom said if you grate a bar of soap around your outdoor seating area, you can protect your picnic from mosquitos.
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Taking to Instagram, the self-titled "internet mom you didn't know you needed," who goes by Babs, posted a video of herself preparing for a party.
"Guess what I'm grating," Babs during her "Babs Hack."
"I'll give you a hint - it's not cheese. It's soap."
She said that mosquitoes "love her" so she needed to prepare before having dinner outside around the fire.
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"This is something I've been doing for years," Babs said.
She said she takes a bar of soap, Irish Spring in her case, and grates a barrier around where she and her guests will be sitting.
Babs fans were raving over the post with nearly 200,000 likes, but other commenters were pretty apprehensive.
"Really?! This works? very cool," one person commented.
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Another person said, "Oh thanks for this, I'm allergic to mosquitoes and they love me."
"It can't just be soap, it has to be Irish Spring!!! This works though and on mice too!" a user commented.
Other people claimed they tried Bab's hack, but it didn't work out so well.
"Does not work..." one person said.
Another person commented: "It didn't work so well. I DO wash with Irish Spring soap on the day/night I'm going to be outside, that works fantastic."
"Also works for keeping away dirty people who don't want to shower," someone else said.
This comes as an exterminator has warned about the upcoming mosquito season and revealed five ways to protect yourself.
The bugs thrive in temperatures above 50F and the mosquito season reaches its peak during the hot months.
Experts at Arrow Exterminators Houston have recommended how you can keep the bugs out of the home.
GET RID OF STANDING WATER
Mosquitoes lay eggs as they breed in standing water and they need between 10-14 days to develop.
The pests only need around half an inch of water to lay their eggs.
Holes should be cut in trashcan lids, flower pots, and buckets so water can be quickly drained when there are torrential downpours.
This strategy also stops water from building up.
Rain gutters should also be cleaned regularly to prevent a buildup of standing water.
KEEP SWIMMING POOLS COVERED
Those who are lucky to have a swimming pool in their backyard should keep it covered when they’re not using it, experts told .
This will stop mosquitoes from laying eggs and breeding.
And, you should check the cover frequently to see if there is any water that needs draining.
CUT BACK ON UNNECESSARY PLANTS
Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and damp plants.
The bugs are renowned for their love of flowers, water lilies, and water lettuce.
But, those who are keen gardeners or love cooking may want to grow herbs such as basil, lavender, or rosemary.
The woody smell of rosemary is what helps repel the bug, according to gardening experts at
USE YELLOW BUG LIGHTS
Yellow is one of the colors that mosquitoes are not attracted to.
The bugs hate colors such as yellow, pink, and white because they all reflect heat.
Insects such as mosquitoes cannot see warmer colors.
But, a yellow light bulb doesn’t get rid of the insects entirely – it only deters them.
INSTALL SCREENS
Screens that don't have any gaps in them will stop mosquitoes from entering your home.
And, it also reduces the risk of being bitten by a mosquito.
Scratching mosquito bites can lead to infection and the bugs carry diseases such as the West Nile virus and malaria.
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Mesh screens will not only stop mosquitoes, but they will also prevent other insects from entering your home too.
But, you should check it to see if it has any holes before erecting it.
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