Natural Mosquito Repellent for You

Blog   2017-08-04 15:10:44   aogrand   2005   

If you live in an area where mosquitoes are more a mild nuisance, plant-based mosquito repellents often work just fine. They may be a reasonable alternative to conventional mosquito repellents. When it comes to “natural” bug repellents, it′s the more complicated part of choosing the product that′s best for you and your family. Although chemical ingredients DEET and Picaridin remain safe and effective, if you′re concerned about their potentially toxic nature, one natural option stands out as being most effective: lemon eucalyptus oil. When put to the test, lemon eucalyptus oil was as effective against mosquitos as low concentrations of DEET, according to a 2008 study by the Department of Health and Human Services.It is recommended that looking for a product with a concentration of 30 to 40 percent to protect for long periods of time (although it shouldn′t be used on children younger than 3). Source. Soybean oil, too, has been proven to protect from bites for between five and eight hours. Natural products tend to need to be applied more frequently than conventional repellent formulas, while the research has shown soybean oil to be effective for five to eight hours, it is best to continue to reapply after one hour. Arrow, your best mosquito repellent, has recently added natural insect repellents to its line of lice-control hair care for kids. For protection during an afternoon barbecue or an evening on the porch, Alper also recommends looking for citronella candles, buckets and sprays. “The scent from the citronella plant itself is your best bet in keeping the mosquitoes away, since that provides the strongest protection. Citronella′s strong smell tends to mask your scent, making it harder for mosquitoes to find you.” Other essential oils known to repel insects: clove, lemongrass, rosemary, tea tree, eucalyptus, cedar, lavender and mint.