How to safely repel Mosquitos

Mosquitos are more then just a nuisance that affects your comfort during the warm, summer months. Studies show that mosquitos transmit disease to more than seven hundred million people each year. This has become such a large problem that medical records show that diseases that are transferred by insects are the number one cause of sickness, and death in the world today. While most of these diseases occur in tropical and subtropical climates, it should be noted that there is no longer any place in the world that is immune, from disease carrying insects. This has been a minor problem in North America until 1999 when the threat of a mosquito bite had never been a major concern until the surfacing of the West Nile Virus.

Today the ability to repel mosquitoes has now become more of a necessity, rather than a choice. The use of natural repellents to ward of mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects, has increased greatly in recent years. This is mostly due to concerns of brain damage, and other health risks that are associated with the ingredient known as DEET found in most chemical insect repellents. There are other less serious problems with using DEET.This includes the bad odor and an unpleasant feel to the skin. DEET also loses its potency in rising temperatures, and it can be washed off by sweat and the rain. Label warnings for mosquito repellant that have DEET state not to apply indoors, or use more than three times per day. Even with all of these shortcomings, DEET continues to be used today, because it has proven to be the most effective and long lasting protection, against insect bites available.

However it is important for consumers to understand that DEET is not their only choice.There are several natural mosquito repellent formulations that have been developed, that are effective in protecting against insect bites. However it should be understood, they do not last as long as DEET, so more frequent applications are necessary. The benefits of natural repellents also include:a pleasant odor, and no serious side effects.

Another way to safely repel mosquitos is, by the use of essential oils.This has proven to be a safe and effective method, of keeping ticks, mosquitos, and other insects away. These

• essential oils include:


• Rose geranium


• Citronella


• Lavender


• Eucalyptus


• Clove


• Atlas Cedar wood

Consumers who are interested in using essential oils should be aware that there is a great deal of difference in effectiveness. One study that was conducted showed that citronella is thirty percent effective at repelling mosquitos, whereas rose germanium oil is ninety seven percent effective. However, Rose geranium is not always used in natural repellents, because it is more expensive than other ingredients. Other effective formulations to look for contain different combinations of the following:

• Rosemary


• Neem oil


• Thyme


• Lemongrass


• Peppermint


• Fennel


• Cedar


• Soybean verbena


• Pennyroyal


• Garlic


• Pine


• Lavender

It is important to note that although these products are natural, with no serious side effects, they should not be over applied, because they can cause minor irritation to the skin and eyes. Other precautions to consider are: do not put repellent on young children's hands, because they tend to put there fingers in their mouths.

In the future there may be more choices besides DEET and natural remedies for repelling mosquitos. Researchers have found that a natural compound that comes from the Tauroniro tree in South America has been found to be more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitos, and ticks. Derivatives of this substance have been safely used in several different personal care products. There is a possibility that new processing methods may make it possible to produce the substance as cheap as DEET. Consumers may see this product widely available in the future, but until then applying safe, natural repellents frequently is the best way to go.