Avoid Being A Mosquito Magnet

Let’s face it:  some people are mosquito magnets.  They get mosquito bites when no one else does unless they arm themselves with chemically-laden repellents and long-sleeved shirts and pants.  For them, natural repellents are a game of roulette, providing partial, but not full insurance against bites and the potential diseases they carry.

 

Lab Testing:  Scientific Validation Of Natural Mosquito Repellents

We’re happy to report that the game of roulette is over.  Science has rigorously tested 38 essential oils for mosquito repellency to identify which ones work as well–if not better–than chemical counterparts. Tests were conducted at three concentrations under laboratory conditions using human subjects at strengths of 10%, 50%, and 100% concentrations.  We’ve summarized the findings below:

 

• The most effective oils were found to be Citronella, Patchouli, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lemon Eucalyptus, and a Thai herb called Makaen (Zanthoxylum limonella).  At a concentration of 100%, these four oils provided two hours of complete repellency.
• Of the single oils, 20% Clove Oil gave complete protection (up to four hours) against three major mosquito species tested and 86.8% repellency after five hours.
• Researchers found that both gel and oil-based mixtures containing either 20% Clove Oil or a combination of 10% Clove Oil and 10% makaen oil provided complete protection for four hours and an efficacy of 95.7% after five hours.
• Eucalyptus oil on its own was so effective that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved it as an active ingredient in mosquito repellents.
• A mixture of 32 percent Lemon Eucalyptus Oil provided more than 95 percent protection against mosquitoes for three hours.
• Port Orford Cedar (American Hinoki Oil), traditionally used by Native Americans in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest as an insect repellent, was found to have a synergistic effect with Lemon Eucalyptus in providing up to 4 hours of repellency.

 

Biochemistry:  What Attracts Mosquitos

In case you’re wondering what things make some people Mosquito Magnets, here are biochemical facts:

 

• Floral scented cosmetics, lotions, or perfumes attract mosquitos, as do alpha-hydroxy acids, which are a form of lactic acid that mosquitos love.
• Working out, sweating, or not showering makes you a mosquito magnet because they like lactic acid, uric acid, and ammonia released by body heat.
• Mosquitoes can detect carbon dioxide in the air, so the more you exhale, the more likely you are to become a blood meal. Mosquitoes usually fly in a zigzag pattern through the CO2 until they locate the source.  Adults are especially attractive because they emit more carbon dioxide than children and pets.
• Mosquitoes thrive on proteins found in the blood. Some researchers believe that mosquitoes are more attracted to Type O blood than other types, but this has yet to be proven.

 

 

Natural Mosquito Repellent Recommendations:

 

• We’ve used Burt’s Bees non-chemical insect repellent for years with much success.
• Homemade essential oil-based repellents that include lemon eucalyptus and citronella also work well.
• Grace The Plate’s insect repellent concentrate is our favorite, of course.  It is 100% DEET and chemical-free, with ten essential oils that work synergistically to keep mosquitos away.  These are:   Lemon Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus, Citronella, Lemon, Lemongrass, Pennyroyal, Port Orford Cedar (American Hinoki), Cedarwood, Lavender, and Rose Geranium.  Just add drops to lotion of your choice or add to a diffuser.  We also have a spray version that includes the above essential oils in castor oil and distilled water.