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“Natural” Mosquito Repellents
While the idea of natural preventatives sounds appealing, controlled laboratory studies have not been able to show these mixtures of substances to be an effective mosquito barrier. Mosquito barrier is a trade name given to a concoction of natural herbs and
other chemicals intended for mosquito and mosquito bite prevention.
Cedar as Mosquito Repellent
There are a number of natural products that will effectively repel mosquitoes. These natural, mosquito prevention methods are oils (such as citronella oil, castor oil, rosemary oil, lemongrass oil, cedar oil, peppermint oil, clove oil, geranium oil, and cedar
oil). Be aware, that although they have the ability to perform, the success rates require constant maintenance.
They need frequent reapplication (at least every 2 hours.) They also need to be applied in higher concentrations than DEET. The oils tend to vary in effectiveness because these products aren’t
consistently effective and require a lot more work to maintain.
Best Mosquito Repellents
For the best mosquito bite prevention. DEET was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was registered for use by the general public in 1957 and DEET is considered the best. N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) remains the standard by which all
other repellents are judged. It is effective against mosquitoes, biting flies, chiggers, fleas, and ticks. Over 25 years of empirical testing of more than 20,000 other compounds has not resulted
in another marketed chemical product with the duration of protection and broad-spectrum effectiveness of DEET.
Mosquito Repellents That Do Not Work
There is also no evidence that taking vitamin b tablets will prevent mosquito bites, and there is no scientific evidence that eating garlic onions, or any other food will help a person repel mosquitoes. In fact, in order for the ingestion of these things to
be effective, you would have to eat an enormous amount (a lot more than one might consider appetizing). The fact is that the attractant level of each individual to biting arthropods is based on a complex interaction of many chemical and visual signals.
*You could be wasting your time and money so do your research before you buy into alternative “natural repellants”.
Mosquito Sunscreen and Repellent
Be cautious when combining products (such as those containing both insect repellent and sunscreen). While an excessive application of insect repellant isn’t necessarily a good idea, sunscreen should be applied generously. When
in a situation where you need to apply both sunscreen and insect repellant, skip the two-in-one option. Instead, use a separate sunscreen (applied liberally) followed by a light application of insect repellent as a mosquito barrier.
Mosquitoes and Clothing
*According to the Centers for Disease Control, chemicals and devices aren’t the only effective mosquito prevention options. Clothing can be helpful in mosquito bite prevention. Some helpful
clothing facts include:
• A full-brimmed hat can help protect the head and neck
• Dressing in long sleeves and pants can effectively deter mosquitoes
• Light-colored clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes than darker colors
Vitamin B as Mosquito Repellent
Such an apparently simple solution to mosquito avoidance is appealing, but careful scientific trials have failed to show any mosquito repelling effects as a result of taking oral vitamin B, including B1. There has been quite a bit of discussion about the role
of Vitamin B in mosquito avoidance. Taking large quantities of vitamin B unfortunately does not decrease the number of mosquito bites you get.
*There is some evidence that the use of B1 will make any bites feel less itchy, but it does not reduce the risk of diseases spread by biting mosquitoes.
Properly Using DEET Mosquito Repellent
Physicians recommend that a formulation of no more than 10% DEET should be used on children. Most repellency failures with DEET are due to misapplications, so care should be taken to apply it thoroughly (avoiding the eyes and mucous membranes). New polymerized
30% DEET cream formulations provide excellent protection not significantly exceeded by higher DEET concentrations. Remember to reapply when necessary (this is crucial to maintain the DEET vapor mosquito barrier above the skin).
What Makes Repellent Work?
For optimal mosquito protection make sure that other factors don’t hinder the results of your repellant. There are some factors that can decrease the effectiveness of insect repellents. Some common instances include:
• Dilution of repellent from perspiration, rain, or swimming will reduce its effectiveness
• Wearing too much sunscreen may lessen repellent capabilities
• Evaporation of repellent from wind or high temperatures will reduce effectiveness of the absorption of repellent into skin.
Using “Bug Lights”
Useful tips to prevent mosquito bites:
• Schedule your activities, if possible, to avoid the times when mosquitoes are most active (around dawn and dusk)
• Mosquitoes are weak fliers so placing a large fan on your deck will hinder mosquito mobility
• Light decks using General Electric yellow "Bug Lights" (these lights are not mosquito barriers per se, but do not attract mosquitoes as much as other incandescent lights)
• Dress in light, loose-fitting clothing
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