Mosquitoes can carry deadly diseases, such as malaria and West Nile Virus.
Going outside during the summer months is sometimes a daunting experience, considering the swarms of potentially disease-carrying mosquitoes that are awaiting their dinner. You could slather yourself with DEET insect repellents, which can be effective but also toxic and uncomfortable. If you're looking for some alternative mosquito repellants, choose from a number of different scents and substances that will drive mosquitoes out of your personal space. Does this Spark an idea?
Geraniol
Geraniol is a type of alcohol and byproduct of sorbate, which is used in food preservation. A study published in the "Journal of Vector Ecology" in 2009 found that geraniol candles repelled 50 percent of female mosquitoes indoors, and diffusers repelled at a rate of 97 percent. Geraniol also repels about 75 percent of mosquitoes outdoors, and a diffuser repels 95.5 percent of mosquitoes within a nine-foot radius.
Linalool
Linalool is a terpene alcohol chemical found in a variety of flowers and other plants. People often use it in soaps and detergents, but it also makes an effective mosquito repellent, although the "Journal of Vector Ecology" study found that linalool was not quite as effect as geraniol. Linalool diffusers kept mosquitoes away indoors at a rate of 93 percent and outdoors at a rate of 88.4 percent in a nine-foot radius.
Cintronella
Cintronella oil is an essential oil that comes from a species of lemongrass that grows in tropical regions. While people have used cintronella for decades as a mosquito repellant, the study found it did not do as good of a job as geraniol or linalool. Citronella repelled mosquitos at a rate of only 68 percent indoors with diffusers and only 65.6 percent with diffusers outdoors. Citronella candles repelled only 14 percent of mosquitoes indoors.
Other Scents
A few other scents are effective in repelling mosquitoes. Pennyroyal oil keeps mosquitoes away, but it is toxic and only certified herbalists should use it. Lavender oil or cinnamon oil are better alternatives; they not only repel mosquitoes, but also help relieve itchy bites.
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