Welcome to My World – Natural Mosquito Repellants

Hello World!  How are you doing today? I just finished trimming some hedges and now it’s time for me to write my post about natural mosquito repellents…

If your yard is like mine, we need to chase away those pesky mosquitoes

If your yard is like mine, we need to chase away those pesky mosquitoes – naturally!

Natural Mosquito Repellents

Before you grab that DEET-based mosquito repellent, consider using a natural option instead. DEET, also known as diethyl-meta-toluamide, by any other name still stinks. And research proves that the main ingredient in commercial mosquito repellents leaves more than a bad odor on you. According to a Duke University study, it damages brain cells, can cause behavioral changes and can have harmful interactions with some of your  medications.  These scientists also observed that it caused brain cell death in animals frequently exposed to or after prolonged use of DEET.

Additional research found that up to 15% of DEET is absorbed through your

I knew it was bad stuff, but didn't know how bad!

I knew it was bad stuff, but didn’t know how bad!

skin directly into your bloodstream. According to safety data sheets on diethyl-meta-toluaminde, the toxic effects of this chemical include: reproductive disturbances, genetic material mutations, and central nervous system disorders.

There’s no need for you to suffer long-term and serious health consequences to ward off pesky mosquitoes. Choose a natural alternative that’s proven to work as effectively as DEET or in some case, MORE effectively than DEET.

Natural Mosquito Repellants

Catnip

You can drive cats wild and make mosquitoes run in terror, according to

I never knew catnip could chase away the mosquitos!

I never knew catnip could chase away the mosquitos!

research at Iowa State University which found that the essential oil found in the herb catnip is about 10 times more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes.

Citronella

You should use only pure essential oil of citronella—not fragrance oil. Oils

 citronella

citronella

purchased in bulk for burning are not adequate for applying topically to your skin. For your skin it is best to get a high quality citronella essential oil from a natural food store. While it’s not as effective as catnip, it’s still a good option.

Garlic

You should eat lots of fresh garlic or take it in capsules—mosquitoes can’t stand the stuff!

Garlic will keep mosquitoes away from you

Garlic will keep mosquitoes away from you & as an added bonus, you won’t have to worry about vampires either!

Lavender

Lavender essential oil smells great and is a commonly used and effective

lavender can be used for it's scent. It is calming & can help you sleep better

lavender can be used for it’s scent. It’s oil wards off mosquitoes & It is calming & can help you sleep better & attracts bees…

mosquito repellent for you to use. It’s best diluted in a carrier oil like apricot kernel, sweet almond or coconut oil. If you can find organic soy oil, it’s also a good option since it also keeps mosquitoes at bay.

Neem oil or neem seed oil

According to a study by the US National Research Council neem oil is more effective than DEET.  The results were confirmed by scientists at the Malaria Institute in India and in research cited in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. Neem is a plant that grows in India.

Organic soy oil

Research cited in The New England Journal of Medicine found that repellents

soy oil

soy oil

made of soybean oil are just as effective as DEET-containing repellents. Soy oil is inexpensive and easy to find, making it an excellent choice. Plus, it is an excellent body moisturizer for you. As an aside, research shows that an ingredient in soy can slow the growth of body hair when you apply it topically. Choose organic soy oil if possible since many soy crops are now genetically-modified.

Lotus

New research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

lotus flower

lotus flower

shows that lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an effective mosquito repellent and also helps you kill mosquito larvae.  Since lotus grows in water it is a good option as a natural repellent if you have a backyard pond and water features rather than something that is applied topically.

Black pepper

An extract (the study used an alcohol extract but black pepper

black pepper

black pepper

essential oil would probably work for you as well) of black pepper is effective in repelling mosquitoes.

I mix about 30 drops of the essential oils of catnip, citronella, lavender, neem and black pepper (total, so about 6 drops of each essential oil) into about 30 mL of an unscented and natural oil or moisturizer, which I keep handy in a jar. I rub a bit onto my skin prior to heading outdoors. You can also mix 30 drops of these essential oils into organic soy oil for extra protection if you want it. Always do a 24-hour skin test to be sure you don’t have sensitivities to any of the oils.


I found this to be great information and there will be no more insect sprays with DEET in them for me! Have you used any natural repellants? Let me know by leaving me a message. I’d love to hear from you…

Have a great day!

You should enjoy your yard without getting eaten alive by those pesky bugs!

You should enjoy your yard without getting eaten alive by those pesky bugs!

 

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