While brewer's yeast is not effective, other natural elements successfully repel mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are commonplace in most of the United States, and while the majority of these insects pose nothing more than an annoyance, some mosquitoes are known to carry disease, such as West Nile encephalitis. With more than 2,500 mosquito species found throughout the world, and 150 of those species found in the United States, lessening the impact of such mosquitoes has turned into a multimillion-dollar industry. Folk remedies suggest consuming brewer's yeast to repel mosquitoes, but does this homemade repellent actually work? Does this Spark an idea?
Effectiveness
Claims made by folklore remedies suggest that the consumption of brewer's yeast, or its topical application to clothing/skin, repels mosquitoes. While this home remedy has been circulated for years, its effectiveness has also been measured by universities and scientists. The North Carolina State University Department of Entomology states that brewer's yeast (and other plant-based chemicals found in garlic and vitamin B1) is not effective in repelling mosquitoes. Mark S. Fradin, M.D., is quoted on Medscape Reference further solidifying the effectiveness of brewer's yeast by stating, "...brewer's yeast...are (is) not effective at repelling insects." Thus, two leading sources within the entomology and medical field refute the ability of brewer's yeast to repel mosquitoes and other insects.
Soy-Based Repellent
While brewer's yeast is not an effective way to repel mosquitoes, other natural repellents are available and successful. WebMD states that soy bean-oil extract found in natural mosquito repellents is as effective as the chemical DEET for mosquito control. Soy-based repellents are available at most outdoor retail stores. WebMD further explains that this type of mosquito repellent is effective for up to 90 minutes after application.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Oil from the lemon eucalyptus tree is an effective plant-based mosquito repellent. The CDC Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases proclaims that this oil is as effective at repelling mosquitoes as DEET. The oil from this tree is applied to the skin or clothing and is available in spray and lotion form. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that there are no recorded adverse side effects from using this repellent.
Warnings
It is important to always read the labels of mosquito-repellent products to ensure you apply it correctly. The North Carolina State University Department of Entomology reports that only products containing lemon-eucalyptus oil are approved by the CDC, thus do not apply pure lemon-eucalyptus oil to your skin or clothing as this may cause irritation among those with sensitive skin. It is also important to note, lemon-eucalyptus oil is not to be used on children age 3 and younger, and only use products with an active ingredient concentration between 10 and 30 percent for maximum effectiveness.
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