Before you grab the risky DEET-based mosquito repellent in an effort to keep the mosquitoes at bay, check out these six natural options that mosquitoes hate and you’ll soon love. If you think that natural means less effective, keep reading. Some of these mosquito repellents are MORE EFFECTIVE THAN DEET!
1. Citronella
The old standby. Be sure you’re using pure essential oil, not fragrance oil, which is ineffective and potentially dangerous. Most mosquito repellent products “containing citronella” are made with fragrance oil and should be avoided. If you’re applying citronella to your skin, dilute it in a carrier oil or natural moisturizer. A few drops per tablespoon of oil or cream are all that’s needed.
The old standby. Be sure you’re using pure essential oil, not fragrance oil, which is ineffective and potentially dangerous. Most mosquito repellent products “containing citronella” are made with fragrance oil and should be avoided. If you’re applying citronella to your skin, dilute it in a carrier oil or natural moisturizer. A few drops per tablespoon of oil or cream are all that’s needed.
2. Catnip
Research at Iowa State University found that catnip essential oil is 10 times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes. Mosquitoes will hate you and cats will love you. Like citronella be sure to use it diluted in a carrier oil or natural moisturizer.
Research at Iowa State University found that catnip essential oil is 10 times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes. Mosquitoes will hate you and cats will love you. Like citronella be sure to use it diluted in a carrier oil or natural moisturizer.
3. Lavender essential oil
Smells great and is a commonly used and effective mosquito repellent.
Smells great and is a commonly used and effective mosquito repellent.
4. Soy oil
Better yet, choose organic soy oil as the carrier oil for catnip, lavender, and citronella essential oils. According to research published in The New England Journal of Medicine soybean oil-based mosquito repellents are as effective as DEET-containing repellents.
Better yet, choose organic soy oil as the carrier oil for catnip, lavender, and citronella essential oils. According to research published in The New England Journal of Medicine soybean oil-based mosquito repellents are as effective as DEET-containing repellents.
5. NEEM seed oil
“Neem oil” is extracted from a plant that grows in India. An ingredient in Neem seed oil has also been found to be more effective than DEET by researchers at the Malaria Institute in India. Both the US National Research Council and the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association have confirmed this finding.
“Neem oil” is extracted from a plant that grows in India. An ingredient in Neem seed oil has also been found to be more effective than DEET by researchers at the Malaria Institute in India. Both the US National Research Council and the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association have confirmed this finding.
6. Garlic
Eat lots of fresh garlic—mosquitoes will steer clear of you since they hate the stuff.
Eat lots of fresh garlic—mosquitoes will steer clear of you since they hate the stuff.
Please visit the Eden's Song Website @ www.edenssong.org.
Blessings,
Roy and Deb
I am about to order a product called Shielder (it is a patch) because I will need an extreme repellent in DR Congo. A missionary who served in Central America recommended it. I just am not the type to carry and rub oil all over. I do like garlic but not cats. Why can't I just buy all these natural things in a soy oil. I know I could not ever make that. I barely cook my food. Love More
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