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7 Natural Mosquito Repellents

Mosquitoes bother us when we’re outdoors and can make sleep difficult when they are buzzing around our ears and snacking on our blood. They can also be a serious health hazard depending on which area you live in because they spread diseases like Zika, malaria and West Nile virus. Many people cover themselves in insect repellents which contain chemicals that can result in headaches, allergies and health problems.

Mosquitoes are attracted to sweet scents, body odour and human sweat but there are many pleasant, natural scents that can repel them.

Here are 7 natural mosquito repellents which will allow you to sleep well and sit outdoors without being eaten alive.

Citronella

Citronella is a well known natural mosquito repellent and while candles may contain unwanted chemicals, the citronella plant can easily be grown in your garden to control mosquitoes. Crushing the leaves and rubbing them on your skin releases an odour which is unpleasant to mosquitoes.

Basil

Basil has a deliciously strong scent to humans but is hated by mosquitoes, which makes this plant an excellent addition to your garden and home. Studies have shown that basil essential oil can protect us from mosquito bites up to 100% and it contains the compounds camphor and thymol which relieve itchiness associated with mosquito bites.

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most fabulous scents and promotes a sense of relaxation and calm when inhaled by humans. Mosquitoes on the other hand are offended by the smell of lavender so growing some lavender bushes in your garden, near your bedroom window and entertainment areas will make sure you aren’t bothered this summer. You can also put a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow to relax you and keep mosquitoes at bay. 

Peppermint

Peppermint is a great smelling essential oil that is cooling and energising, but it has also been found to repel mosquitoes when applied to the skin. Research showed that as well as repelling mosquitoes it kills mosquito larvae within 24 hours of exposure.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a wonderful scent which has excellent mosquito repelling properties and is easy to grow. If you are standing around a barbeque or a bonfire on a summer evening you can throw some rosemary into the fire and scent it gives off as it burns will be offensive to mosquitoes.

Garlic

Eating a few cloves of raw garlic a day is not going to win you any friends it will improve your health and keep mosquitoes from feasting on your blood.

Take a high dose of Thiamine

Studies on the effects of thiamine supplementation as a mosquito repellent have mixed results but the theory remains that taking an excess of vitamin B1 will cause the excess to be excreted through the urine, skin, and sweat. This releases an odour which humans can’t smell but female mosquitoes find very unpleasant. Try taking 100mg of vitamin B1 along with a B vitamin complex to make you less appealing to mosquitoes.

Sources

http://www.naturallivingideas.com/11-plants-that-repel-mosquitoes/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/23/mosquito-repellent.aspx