Mosquito bites can be a nuisance and also lead to some serious health concerns. Mosquitoes are known to carry dangerous diseases, like the Zika virus, malaria, and dengue fever. If you want to save from these, you must know the mosquito repellent to use.
But what if there was a way to repel those pests without using harmful chemicals? Fortunately, there is! Here’s a list of natural ingredients that can help keep these biting bugs away:
Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is a natural ingredient that can be used to make your own mosquito repellent.
- How does citronella oil work? Citronella oil comes from lemongrass, which is a tropical plant with a sweet scent. Mosquitoes don’t like the smell of lemongrass and fly away from it when they smell it in the air.
- How much citronella oil should I use? The amount of citronella you need depends on how strong you want your product to smell. For example, using more drops will give you a stronger scent than using fewer drops per ounce or milliliter (mL). The average person uses about 10-12 drops in one ounce of carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oil (1 mL per drop). You may find that this amount makes you feel too strongly scented; if so, try using fewer drops instead!
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is a natural insect repellent that smells great and works better than most chemicals. You can find it online or at your local health food store. It’s made by distilling the leaves and twigs of the lemon eucalyptus tree, which has been used to naturally keep pests away for centuries.
Lemon eucalyptus oil is not only effective against mosquitoes, but also ticks and fleas! If you have pets who are prone to getting ticks or fleas (like my dog), then this will be an important part of their bug-fighting arsenal too. As long as it’s diluted with water properly, lemon eucalyptus oil should not cause any harm if it comes in contact with skin or eyes (but do keep in mind that some people are allergic).
These are the ingredients to look for in mosquito repellent products.
Citronella oil and lemon eucalyptus oil are the two most common ingredients used in mosquito repellent products. Citronella is an essential oil that comes from the leaves of the lemongrass plant, while lemon eucalyptus oil comes from the leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora. Both oils are found in creams and lotions, sprays and patches; you can also find them separately at your local health store or pharmacy if you like to do your own mixing. They’re effective because mosquitoes are repelled by the scents they emit when burned—so if you’re burning a candle with citronella or lemon eucalyptus essential oils in it, you’ll be keeping those pests away for hours!
Other Effective Mosquito Repellent To Use
Cream
Creams are a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. They’re also less messy and easier to apply, so they’re great for children and the elderly. Plus, many creams contain ingredients that help soothe itching and inflammation after bites, which can be especially helpful if you’ve been bitten a lot.
Lotion
The lotion is one of the most popular ways to apply mosquito repellent, and it has some advantages. The lotion is easy to apply and can be used on all parts of the body, including hard-to-reach areas like your legs and back. It’s also effective for up to six hours or more—depending on how much you use—and many lotions are formulated with moisturizers so they don’t feel greasy or oily after application.
While lotion is effective, it does have some downsides: it can attract dirt if not applied carefully; it doesn’t last as long as sprays; it may need additional applications during the day if exposed sweat causes the lotion to wash off (although this depends on which type you choose); some people have allergic reactions to certain ingredients in lotions (such as DEET).
Spray
Sprays are the easiest to apply and the least messy. They’re also not expensive, which is good news if you have a lot of mosquitoes around your home or property. If you want more than one scent option, sprays are generally available in more scents than any other repellent type.
Mosquito Patch
Mosquito patches are an effective way to keep mosquitoes away. The patch contains a repellent chemical that is safe to use on children and pets, but it’s not recommended for pregnant women. The chemical in the patch is also used in some insect repellents, so if you’ve noticed that the smell of DEET bothers you or your child, then this may be a better option for you.
The patch does come with one caveat—it doesn’t last as long as some of the other products we’ve reviewed here! It lasts anywhere from two-to-four hours depending on how much sweat your skin produces and how quickly it evaporates off your body (the more humid the environment is where you’re wearing it). However once applied correctly it should last longer than 30 minutes like many other brands claim theirs will do so there shouldn’t be any need to reapply unless necessary due too much sweating while exercising or playing sports outdoors during hot summer months!
Which repellents work best to stop mosquitoes from biting?
Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting diseases like West Nile virus and malaria. They can also cause itching and swelling around the bite, which can last for days. Thankfully, there are several products available that repel mosquitoes—but which one works best?
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite options below:
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Mosquito Repellent
Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller for Patio
All Terrain Herbal Armor DEET-Free Pump Spray
Are there any mosquito repellent products that just don’t work?
There are a few mosquito repellents that just don’t work. The first is the sticker c. These stickers are supposed to keep mosquitoes away, but the truth is, the medicinal oil in them isn’t strong enough to repel the bugs.
How often should you reapply a repellent?
Reapply a repellent as often as you feel you need to. The best way to determine how often you should reapply is by monitoring the effectiveness of your repellent. If you notice that mosquitoes are still landing on you after applying the repellent, then it’s probably time for another application.
What kind of clothing helps protect against bites?
To protect yourself against bites, it’s important to wear clothing that covers all of your skin.Wear long pants and sleeves, a hat and gloves, and closed-toe shoes. If you’re outside in the summer, you can also apply sunscreen to your exposed skin before going outside.
What else can reduce the risk of mosquito bites?
Mosquito bites are the worst, but they can be avoided if you take some precautions.
-Wear long sleeves and pants when you go outside
-Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
-Keep your windows closed and screens in good condition so that mosquitoes can’t get in
-Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin
-Avoid areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes
What’s on the horizon to avoid mosquito bites ?
There are a few things on the horizon to help people avoid mosquito bites and the diseases they bring.
First, we can look forward to new technology that will allow us to repel mosquitoes at a distance. This technology will be based on sound waves that disrupt mosquitoes’ ability to sense their prey. It should be available within a year or two.
Second, there are efforts underway to develop vaccines against malaria, dengue fever, and other mosquito-borne illnesses. These vaccines could also be available within a few years.
Third, there’s research being done on tiny electronic devices that would be implanted under your skin and emit chemicals that repel mosquitoes. They’re still being tested in animals right now, but it’s hoped they’ll eventually be safe enough for human use too!
What is the easiest way to repel mosquitoes?
The easiest way to repel mosquitoes is to use a mosquito repellent. There are many different types of repellents, including sprays and candles, but the most effective are lotions and creams. These products contain chemicals that confuse the mosquitoes’ sense of smell, preventing them from finding their prey (you).
Conclusion
It’s important to know that there are many different types of repellents on the market and each one has its own pros and cons. Some will work better than others depending on what type of activity or location you are in at the time. Also, it is important to remember that no product works 100% of the time—especially when dealing with mosquitoes!
