Mosquito netting is a more effective repellent than vanilla.
Vanilla extract and vanillin are often touted as natural alternatives to chemical mosquito repellents. But vanilla is not an effective mosquito repellent, according to the University of Wisconsin's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Does this Spark an idea?
Misconception
Vanilla extract fails to repel biting, adult mosquitoes. But vanilla extract made from stems and not beans can kill mosquito larvae. The stems and leaves are placed in alcohol, left to soak and strained to make the insecticide.
Expert Advice
Combining vanillin and N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, or DEET, makes an affective adult mosquito repellent. This combination should be placed directly onto the skin.
Time Frame
According to a 2001 study in "Journal of Vector Ecology," an extract of 5 percent vanillin added to oil of kaffir lime repelled mosquitoes for three hours. Adding the same vanillin to DEET repelled mosquitoes for eight hours.
Tags: repelled mosquitoes