Essential oils derived from herbs can be effective mosquito repellents.
Numerous scholarly studies have been conducted on the efficacy of natural mosquito repellents. Some worked and some did not. The University of Wisconsin's Integrated Mosquito Management program states neither ingesting garlic nor B vitamins will help deter mosquitoes from biting. However, the University of Florida IFAS Extension tested soybean oil-based products and essential oil-based products and found them effective in repelling mosquitoes. Does this Spark an idea?
Essential Oils
Various scientific studies have proven that certain essential oils do, indeed, help repel mosquitoes -- just not as long as chemical repellents. The University of Florida IFAS Extension tested a product comprised of the essential oils of citronella, peppermint, cedar, lemongrass and geranium. It repelled mosquitoes for approximately 20 minutes. A product consisting of 10 percent citronella oil was effective for approximately the same amount of time. Lemongrass, turmeric and hairy basil essential oils are also effective repellents.
Water or Grain Alcohol
Essential oils cannot be applied directly to the skin. They must be diluted with water or alcohol first. Mother Earth News recommends diluting 2.5 teaspoons of essential oil with 1 cup of grain alcohol to make mosquito repellent.
Vanilla Extract
The National Institute of Health published a study revealing that when vanillin -- the primary component of vanilla extract -- was added to DEET, it increased the repellent's efficacy by hours. One species of mosquito, An. dirus, was repelled by DEET alone for 6 hours but for 8 hours when 5 percent vanillin was added. When 5 percent vanillin was added to the essential oil combination of citronella, hairy basil and turmeric, the solution repelled mosquitoes for 8 hours. Even though vanillin alone is not commercially available, it is in vanilla bean extract -- which does contain vanillin.
Soybean Oil
The University of Florida IFAS Extension tested a product containing 2 percent soybean oil. It repelled mosquitoes for approximately 1.5 hours.
Spray Bottle
Proper application is critical when it comes to mosquito repellents. Placing essential oils, soybean oil and water or grain alcohol in a spray bottle not only allows the wearer to shake up the solution regularly, but to apply it evenly. Test an inconspicuous area of the skin -- such as the underside of the wrist -- before applying the repellent all over.
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