You may need to apply natural mosquito repellents more often.
Many common commercial mosquito repellents use the chemical DEET. Although DEET has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, many people prefer to use natural products. There are a number of natural mosquito repellent alternatives available. Some of these repellents are burned; others are applied directly to the skin. Some people even claim that the living plants will repel mosquitoes all by themselves without processing. Before you purchase a natural mosquito repellent, learn the truth behind the various choices. Does this Spark an idea?
Citronella Candles
One of the most common natural mosquito repellents is the citronella candle. They are made from natural citronella oil taken from Cymbopogon plants, which are native to Asia. Although studies show that citronella candles are effective, some experts counsel against exposing oneself to citronella fumes.
Plant Oils
A much more promising approach is to apply the oils of certain plants directly to your skin. Lemon eucalyptus oil is the best for the job. It is recommended by the Center for Disease Control as an effective natural alternative to DEET, based on the results of several studies. Lemon thyme oil is another effective alternative, with a repellency of 62 percent that of DEET. Lemon balm oil is another effective choice. It contains three different mosquito repelling chemicals. The oils of the citrosa plant will work, but they contain much less of the necessary chemicals than other plants.
Application
The easiest way to apply these plant oils is to simply crush them up and rub them onto your skin and clothes. Some commercial products use these natural ingredients as the basis for sprays or lotions. You also can mix up your own insect repellent at home by making mixtures of various oils. Before using any of these repellents, test them on a small area of your skin to make sure that you are not allergic to them.
Warnings
Folklore holds that peppermint catnip oils also are good at repelling mosquitoes. Studies show that this isn't true. Basil, lemongrass and mountain mint all have anecdotes reporting their effectiveness. Do not experiment with mountain mint if you are pregnant, however, as it has been shown to increase the risk of miscarriage. Keep in mind as well that anecdotes about live plants that function as mosquito repellents while just sitting in the ground are not well founded. No matter how well their oils repel mosquitoes, they only produce significant amounts if you crush them. Even then, they must be applied to the skin or clothes.
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