Plant extracts can help keep mosquitoes away.
People in Central America traditionally use the sap from cactus pads as mosquito repellent. However, other plant materials have become more common as natural mosquito repellents, having gone through scientific studies that prove their efficiency. Does this Spark an idea?
History
According to the National Park Service, during the U.S.-Mexican War, only about 30 percent of deaths were due to wounds sustained during combats. The rest died from diseases brought on by mosquitoes, dirty drinking water, garbage and lack of hygiene. Soldiers use cactus juice to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Theories/Speculation
A 1911 edition of Scientific American noted that spreading cactus juice on water smothered mosquito larvae and suppressed mosquito populations for up to one year. A manufacturer of cactus extract products also claims that applying extracts from prickly pear cactus to the skin, hair or fur of a mammal could repel mosquitoes.
Alternatives
Other plants have become more common as mosquito repellents. Crushed lemon thyme has 62 percent the mosquito-repelling effect of DEET and works well to provide natural protection against mosquitoes. Crush the leaves and rub them on the skin to keep mosquitoes away.
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