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How do mosquito repellents work? A chemistry expert explains

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-eldridge-1494633">Daniel Eldridge</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>It’s summertime, and for many of us that means plenty of time outside – and, unfortunately, mosquitoes.</p> <p>The combination of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-your-summer-might-be-full-of-mosquitoes-according-to-a-scientist-98369">increase in temperature and plenty of water</a> is ideal for these blood-sucking insects to make their presence felt.</p> <p>In the best-case scenario, they are a pest, delivering a highly unpleasant sting. At the other end of the spectrum, they are vectors for diseases responsible for <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/global-health/impact/fighting-the-worlds-deadliest-animal.html">more human fatalities than any other animal on Earth</a>.</p> <p>To keep them at bay, many of us will reach for the bottle of insect repellent or citronella candles in order to avoid the bite and incessant itching that comes with it. But how do these repellents actually work?</p> <h2>A complex interplay</h2> <p><a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-technology/why-mosquitos-bite-you-and-how-make-them-stop">A great deal</a> of research has gone into understanding how and why female mosquitoes – they are the ones that bite us – are attracted to people.</p> <p>There is evidence showing they are attracted to the <a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-mosquitoes-detect-people">carbon dioxide</a> we exhale, lactic acid found in our sweat, and a variety of other <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24315103/">skin odours</a> and <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6482070/">volatile compounds</a> we give off. The interplay between all these factors is quite <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8906108/">complex</a>.</p> <p>To ward off mosquitoes, physical barriers such as netting make for the best protection. However, while you might put netting around a backdoor patio and barbecue, doing this for any large space is simply not practical.</p> <p>This is where repellents come in.</p> <h2>DEETerrent</h2> <p>There are a variety of mosquito repellents available.</p> <p>The most tried-and-true products are based on a substance called N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, more commonly referred to as DEET.</p> <p>This molecule has been commercially available since 1957, <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2018/05/17/protecting-military-flying-foes">after the United States military discovered</a> it was an effective insect repellent.</p> <p>DEET is often used as a <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/health/insect-repellent/how-safe-is-deet-insect-repellent-safety-a4952100929/">point of comparison</a> for <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa011699">studies</a> investigating alternatives. <a href="https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ps.5476?casa_token=prUg_pX7fjAAAAAA%3AuEKT5PGXWU1mO4fakwQ9NSEY-0uVYBEz25zWxXjMOp5AxX5UFWENJc1UF_JdsKA45x3sSHpmJSLJSwM">Studies show that</a>, provided they are used according to direction, <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4041896/">DEET products are safe and effective</a>.</p> <p>For example, it is recommended that when required, <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9458079/">sunscreen is applied</a> before the repellent. DEET products are not recommended for infants.</p> <p>The exact mechanism by which DEET repels mosquitoes and other insects is <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19336934.2015.1079360#d1e132">still explored</a> <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13258-020-00991-z">today</a>.</p> <p>Many studies link its success to mosquitoes having receptors that sense the presence of DEET, deterring them from closely approaching our skin. Some investigations suggest that when DEET is detected, it <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18339904/">inhibits mosquitoes’ attraction</a> to us, while others show evidence that mosquitoes “<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2518096/pdf/zpq13598.pdf">smell and avoid</a>” DEET.</p> <p>There are also numerous reports demonstrating mosquitoes don’t bite when they <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdfExtended/S0960-9822(19)30402-6">land on</a> DEET-treated skin. This is because DEET acts as a contact-based repellent and conveys a chemical message to mosquitoes to leave. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19336934.2015.1079360">Studies</a> <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdfExtended/S0960-9822(19)30402-6">suggest</a> that DEET likely works through a combination of the processes described here.</p> <h2>Effective alternatives</h2> <p>Another more recent family of mosquito repellent products rely on an active ingredient called picaridin (or icaridin).</p> <p>The current consensus is that picaridin products are safe, and highly effective. For many, they are considered appealing as they <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962207014673?casa_token=zzPMhkW9QtIAAAAA:Euk6hjWnuiem6OAq020Xv0Pu70K7LfN_siLGcK1DIyOZn-mbH7U9tKK115rAK0rYbWQ2oaMGfg#bib49">don’t have as strong a scent</a> as DEET.</p> <p>Picaridin products have been reported to be <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4270489/">equally effective</a> as DEET, or in some cases, even <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/25/suppl_1/S10/4990399">slightly superior</a>, though the outcome depends on their concentration too.</p> <p>The other repellent regularly reported as being effective is para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD).</p> <p>This is produced by chemical treatment of <a href="https://www.phrp.com.au/issues/december-2016-volume-26-issue-5/a-review-of-recommendations-on-the-safe-and-effective-use-of-topical-mosquito-repellents/">oil of lemon eucalyptus</a>.</p> <p>Untreated, this oil isn’t effective at repelling mosquitoes. However, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199606)10:4%3C313::AID-PTR854%3E3.0.CO;2-O">several</a> <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1016/j.wem.2015.11.007">studies</a> have shown that PMD is an effective mosquito repellent.</p> <p>The ability of these repellents to deter mosquitoes is <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4270489/">dose</a> <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/25/suppl_1/S10/4990399">dependent</a>.</p> <p>In all cases, it’s important that an appropriate dose is applied, with re-application sometimes required to keep protection to a maximum. The performance of these products varies according to many other variables too, including <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4270489/">the species of mosquito</a>.</p> <h2>What about citronella?</h2> <p>Citronella products, including candles and topical formulations, are popular choices for keeping mosquitoes away.</p> <p>However, in systematic testing, these <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2015/361021">have been shown</a> to be <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa011699">far less effective</a> than DEET.</p> <p>Studies have also shown that <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/17/1/24/2996380?login=false">citronella candles don’t</a> <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4617422/">fend off mosquitoes</a> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8827606/">as much</a> as you might like.</p> <p>There are many other repellent products on the market.</p> <p>Given the widespread interest in preventing mosquito bites, natural remedies abound. It’s important to recognise that natural <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/17/1/24/2996380?login=false">isn’t necessarily more effective</a> and it <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-does-a-chemical-do-addressing-misconceptions-about-chemistry-104085">isn’t necessarily safer</a>.</p> <p>In <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa011699">most reported studies</a>, DEET and picaridin are reported as having the greatest duration of protection (of the order of hours) and greatest effect on the mosquitoes. They are more thoroughly tested than many alternatives.</p> <p>When others are tested, they are often found wanting.</p> <p>One study described sound-based devices as being the repellent equivalent of <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/17/1/24/2996380?login=false">snake oil</a>. And although repellent bracelets contain working ingredients, they are largely ineffective in that form. This is because of insufficient concentrations of the active ingredient being “emitted”.</p> <p>When it comes to preventing disease transmission via mosquitoes, the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4041896/">benefits</a> of the proven repellents far outweigh the risks.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244403/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-eldridge-1494633">Daniel Eldridge</a>, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-do-mosquito-repellents-work-a-chemistry-expert-explains-244403">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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All the tunes used to repel NZ anti-vaccine mandate protesters

<p dir="ltr">As a protest against vaccine mandates enters its sixth day outside New Zealand’s Parliament House, Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard adopted a rather unconventional way to send protesters packing.</p><p dir="ltr">With the rain and wind brought on by Cyclone Dovi not appearing to deter protesters, Mallard first attempted to shoo them away by turning on the sprinklers.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f82cf814-7fff-e818-6559-7d38f879e1c9">When that didn’t work either, he <a href="https://theconversation.com/three-unconventional-forms-of-travel-you-should-try-if-you-cant-go-abroad-this-summer-163776" target="_blank" rel="noopener">began blasting</a> widely disliked tunes instead at full volume, along with repeated pro-vaccination messages.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Last night the lovely govt played on loop Macarena, vax messaging, &amp; Trevor Mallard warning protesters that erecting structures on parliament lawns was unlawful. All night long. Despite this audio torture &amp; the howling gale, the protest continues. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Parliament?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Parliament</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/convoy2022NZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#convoy2022NZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/QCtK4T69N7">pic.twitter.com/QCtK4T69N7</a></p>— @victoria_dlV (@victoria_dlV) <a href="https://twitter.com/victoria_dlV/status/1492654821325041668?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2022</a></blockquote><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b77720af-7fff-0fcb-4eeb-15ff52cf4603">To start with, Mallard’s playlist featured a selection of <em>Copacabana </em>singer Barry Manilow’s songs, <em>Macarena </em>by Los Del Rio, and the children’s tunes including <em>Baby Shark</em> and <em>Let it Go</em> from Disney film <em>Frozen</em>.</span></p><p> </p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-612e419e-7fff-31e0-24fb-a66484f0e4cf">As news of the Speaker’s playlist spread online, singer James Blunt even weighed in, taking to Twitter to suggest that the NZ government include his music if Manilow’s proved ineffective.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Give me a shout if this doesn’t work. <a href="https://twitter.com/nzpolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZPolice</a> <a href="https://t.co/AM2dZ6asMS">https://t.co/AM2dZ6asMS</a></p>— James Blunt (@JamesBlunt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesBlunt/status/1492586180226990083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2022</a></blockquote><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ba2a5a6f-7fff-4d23-91b7-5f187d5ada53">Mallard saw Blunt’s “very kind offer” and quickly added the Brit’s smash hit, <em>You’re Beautiful</em>, to the playlist.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/JamesBlunt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesBlunt</a> we will take up your very kind offer. My only doubt is whether it is fair to our <a href="https://twitter.com/nzpolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nzpolice</a> officers but I think they will be able to cope. <a href="https://t.co/spb1BDK50u">https://t.co/spb1BDK50u</a></p>— Trevor Mallard (@SpeakerTrevor) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerTrevor/status/1492612830935531521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2022</a></blockquote><p></p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9d371e47-7fff-83cd-8801-ca7e94339b79">Other entries on Mallard’s playlist included a humorous rendition of Celine Dion’s <em>My Heart Will Go On</em>, featuring musician Matt Mulholland playing a recorder quite poorly, as well as Randa’s <em>Vaccinate the Nation</em>.</span></p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is another suggestion………Crybabies Caravan With Full Band <a href="https://t.co/zjxaet7Wn1">https://t.co/zjxaet7Wn1</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTube?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YouTube</a></p>— Trevor Mallard (@SpeakerTrevor) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerTrevor/status/1492607298476605440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2022</a></blockquote><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1cbcfc2f-7fff-a4cd-ec9b-49137fb64bc8"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Social media users have also been sending in recommendations for what has been described as Mallard’s “counter protest”, while others have compiled playlists of annoying tunes guaranteed to irritate.</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Cats love it but mozzies don’t

<p>At the risk of becoming the Pied Piper of cats, you could use the garden herb catnip as a non-toxic insect repellent – and scientists have now nutted out why it wards off mozzies and other irritating bugs.</p> <p>The active ingredient nepetalactone in the mint-like herb (<em>Nepeta cataria</em>) selectively activates the irritant receptor <em>TRPA1</em> (transient receptor potential ankyrin 1) in certain insects, according to a study <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(21)00217-7" target="_blank">published</a> in the journal <em>Current Biology</em>.</p> <p>The protein is best known as the “wasabi receptor” (many people will be familiar with the eye-watering sensation caused by the Japanese horseradish), but although humans and other animals have it, catnip doesn’t affect us in the same way.</p> <p>More intriguingly, tear gas – which contains mustard oil – activates the same irritant receptor in both mosquitoes and humans, says co-senior author Marco Gallio from Northwestern University, US.</p> <p>“But it may not be a good insect repellent,” he adds, “as it makes people miserable too.” Even better, catnip doesn’t seem to deter bees (although aphids don’t mind it either).</p> <p>Importantly, it’s particularly effective at repelling mosquitoes, which pose a major <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/bacteria-v-mozzies-bacteria-holding-their-own/" target="_blank">public health problem.</a> Some studies show it to be as effective as chemical repellents such as DEET – <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-36814-1" target="_blank">if not more so</a> – which many cannot afford or avoid due to concerns about toxicity.</p> <p>And its use is not new. As lead author Nadia Melo, from Lund University in Sweden, and colleagues note, Pliny the Elder described several medicinal uses of it in his encyclopedia <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.livius.org/articles/person/pliny-the-elder/pliny-the-elder-natural-history/" target="_blank">Naturalis Histori</a></em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.livius.org/articles/person/pliny-the-elder/pliny-the-elder-natural-history/" target="_blank"><em>a</em></a> back around AD 77.</p> <p>In the ninth century, they write, <em>Bald’s leechbok</em> “reports catnip as effective against everything from bedevilment (mix leaves with ale, chant 12 masses) to shoulder pain (pound leaves in ale, drink by fire)”.</p> <div class="newsletter-box"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p140820-o1" class="wpcf7"> <p style="display: none !important;"> </p> <!-- Chimpmail extension by Renzo Johnson --></div> </div> <p>In humans it was known to be soothing and calming, while for cats, rolling in it seems to evoke euphoria – apparently it gives them an opioid-like hit – and it’s thought the aim is to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/search/mozzies+vs+moggies/" target="_blank">help them deter mosquitoes</a>.</p> <p>But it’s long been observed that mozzies and other insects are not nearly as keen on catnip – the team notes its historical use as a repellent against “pesky small creatures”, as referred to by Johannes Franck’s <em>Speculum botanicum</em> in the 1600s, and others.</p> <p>Adding some modern molecular science to this, the collaborative experiment by Melo and colleagues at Marcus Stensmyr’s lab in Sweden was quite thorough.</p> <p>First, they tested Pliny’s claim that catnip repels scorpions by allowing four <em>Heterometrus cyaneus</em> to choose a pot to hide in, one of which contained catnip. The scorpions all chose the pot with catnip, “displaying no apparent distress”. To be fair, the authors say the plant Pliny refers to as <em>Nepeta</em> may have been a different herb.</p> <p>They continued with a vast array of experiments with different arthropods ranging from ticks, mites, aphids and planthoppers to bees, wasps, weevils, beetles, flies and mosquitoes, finding evidence to support the notion that nepetalactone is an irritant.</p> <p>Then they used cultured cells expressing the <em>TRPA1</em> genes – a molecular mechanism for “pain” and response to irritants <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2017/october/wasabi-receptor-for-pain-discovered-in-flatworms/" target="_blank">discovered</a> by Gallio’s lab – in flies, mozzies and humans to test if they are activated by catnip and nepetalactone.</p> <p>Finally, the team tested catnip on mutant mosquitoes and flies without the <em>TRPA1</em> receptor and found they lost their aversion to the herb. “<em>TRPA1</em> mutant mosquitoes in particular do not avoid catnip any more at all,” says Gallio. “Cool.”</p> <p>Now they’ve shown why catnip works and is so powerful, he says their study further supports its widespread use as a natural, safe repellent, accessible in poor countries afflicted by mosquito-borne diseases. “Great because it’s cheap and it grows like a weed.”</p> <p>What can you do to avoid excessive feline affections while warding off the pesky bugs? Not a problem, says Gallio: “We like cats.”</p> <!-- Start of tracking content syndication. Please do not remove this section as it allows us to keep track of republished articles --> <p><img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=140820&amp;title=Cats+love+it+but+mozzies+don%E2%80%99t" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></p> <!-- End of tracking content syndication --> <div id="contributors"> <p><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/cats-love-it-but-mozzies-dont/" target="_blank">This article</a> was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/natalie-parletta" target="_blank">Natalie Parletta</a>. Natalie Parletta is a freelance science writer based in Adelaide and an adjunct senior research fellow with the University of South Australia.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

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3 easy homemade bug repellents

<p>No need to buy expensive pesticides, here are three easy homemade concoctions that will repel those pesky pests in your garden. Plus, it’s safer for you, your garden and the wider environment.</p> <p><strong>Garlic spray</strong></p> <p>Garlic spray is a great, safe insect repellent that can be applied to the leaves of plants. It deters soft-bodied insects, aphids, snails and chewing caterpillars.</p> <ul> <li>Mince or crush three or four entire garlic bulbs</li> <li>Mix with 40mls mineral oil, 500mls water and 25g soap flakes</li> <li>Let mixture rest for at least a day</li> <li>Strain mixture and dilute 15mls to 1 litre of water</li> </ul> <p><strong>Tomato leaf spray</strong></p> <p>Tomato leaves are packed with alkaloids, which is fatal to aphids and mites.</p> <ul> <li>Chop or mash one to two cups of tomato leaves</li> <li>Soak in two cups of water overnight</li> <li>Strain mixture and add two cups of water</li> </ul> <p><strong>Nettle spray</strong></p> <p>The common stinging nettle is a good general-purpose insect spray, particularly useful for controlling aphids and leaf miners.</p> <ul> <li>Soak young nettle leaves in water for a week</li> <li>Strain and use undiluted. Best when applied within a few days.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/05/how-to-beat-weeds/">5 easy ways to beat weeds</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/05/gardening-and-soil-ph/">What you need to know about your soil’s pH levels</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/04/epsom-salt-in-garden/">8 great uses for Epsom salt in the garden</a></strong></em></span></p>

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Natural mosquito repellents

<p>With summer just around the corner, chances are good you’ll be spending plenty of time outdoors. Whether you’re at the beach, BBQ-ing with friends or setting up a picnic in the park, uninvited guests will often make an appearance, especially if you’re outdoors at dusk. While grabbing a can of a commercial mosquito repellent may be easy, many people are steering clear due to the active ingredients found in most formulations.</p><p>DEET or diethyl-meta-toluamide is an active ingredient that has been linked to all kinds of nasty side effects, including damage to brain cells, behavioural changes and even harmful interactions with some medications. Go DEET free with one of these natural solutions for a safe, mozzie free summer.</p><ol><li><strong>Catnip –</strong> Not just for driving your pet cat completely bonkers, the essential oil found in catnip is almost 10 times more effective than DEET in repelling mozzies.</li><li><strong>Citronella –</strong> Commonly found in candle form, the pure essential oil variety can also be used to protect against mozzies. Make sure you buy a 100 per cent pure essential oil suitable for topical application. The fragrance oil often sold for oil burners won’t work unfortunately.</li><li><strong>Lavender –</strong> Mixing a few drops of pure lavender oil with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba will not only leave you smelling sweet, it’ll also repel mozzies very effectively.</li><li><strong>Lotus –</strong> If you’re looking for a mosquito repelling plant, try planting lotus flowers. Research has found that the plant is an effective mosquito repellent and also helps kill mosquito larvae.</li><li><strong>Black pepper –</strong> Another essential oil to add to your arsenal. Black pepper oil has been found to be a highly effective mosquito repellent, even in small quantities.</li></ol><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/outdoors/2015/10/stay-cool-while-camping/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 ways to stay cool while camping</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/outdoors/2015/10/tips-for-caravanning-with-pets/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Tips for caravanning with pets</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/outdoors/2015/10/diy-mosquito-trap/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to make your own mosquito trap</strong></em></span></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Home & Garden

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Natural mosquito repellents

<p>With summer just around the corner, chances are good you’ll be spending plenty of time outdoors. Whether you’re at the beach, BBQ-ing with friends or setting up a picnic in the park, uninvited guests will often make an appearance, especially if you’re outdoors at dusk. While grabbing a can of a commercial mosquito repellent may be easy, many people are steering clear due to the active ingredients found in most formulations.</p><p>DEET or diethyl-meta-toluamide is an active ingredient that has been linked to all kinds of nasty side effects, including damage to brain cells, behavioural changes and even harmful interactions with some medications. Go DEET free with one of these natural solutions for a safe, mozzie free summer.</p><ol><li><strong>Catnip –</strong> Not just for driving your pet cat completely bonkers, the essential oil found in catnip is almost 10 times more effective than DEET in repelling mozzies.</li><li><strong>Citronella –</strong> Commonly found in candle form, the pure essential oil variety can also be used to protect against mozzies. Make sure you buy a 100 per cent pure essential oil suitable for topical application. The fragrance oil often sold for oil burners won’t work unfortunately.</li><li><strong>Lavender –</strong> Mixing a few drops of pure lavender oil with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba will not only leave you smelling sweet, it’ll also repel mozzies very effectively.</li><li><strong>Lotus –</strong> If you’re looking for a mosquito repelling plant, try planting lotus flowers. Research has found that the plant is an effective mosquito repellent and also helps kill mosquito larvae.</li><li><strong>Black pepper –</strong> Another essential oil to add to your arsenal. Black pepper oil has been found to be a highly effective mosquito repellent, even in small quantities.</li></ol><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/outdoors/2015/10/stay-cool-while-camping/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 ways to stay cool while camping</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/outdoors/2015/10/tips-for-caravanning-with-pets/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Tips for caravanning with pets</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/outdoors/2015/10/diy-mosquito-trap/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to make your own mosquito trap</strong></em></span></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

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