Does natural Mosquito Repellent work?

Does natural Mosquito Repellent work?

With summer come the mosquito bites. And with the bug bites come the bug-borne diseases. But while the threat of West Nile virus or Lyme disease might make you uneasy, so might slathering your kids with a chemical bug repellent every day.

So how do you weigh the risks of the insects with the risks of the chemicals engineered to keep them away? Is there a natural bug repellent that works?

“This is a hard issue,” says Sonya Lunder, MPH, a senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group in Washington D.C. “It’s one that I’ve gone through many times before, both as an expert in toxics and as a parent.”

The good news is that there are some all-natural bug killers that can keep insects off you, your kids, your pets, and your garden.

The bug sprays on the market – including ones with DEET – have been deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, at least when used as directed. Still, many parents want to limit their kids’ exposure to potentially toxic chemicals. So what are some natural bug repellent alternatives?

• Soy-based products. A 2002 study of mosquito repellents found that the soy-based Bite Blocker for Kids was the most effective natural alternative to DEET. This natural bug repellent offered more than 90 minutes of protection, better than some low-concentration DEET products.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD). This natural oil, which comes from the lemon eucalyptus tree, is recommended by the CDC as an alternative to DEET. “It seems to work really well, but hasn’t got a lot of attention,” says Lunder. Several studies have found this natural bug repellent as effective as DEET in repelling mosquitoes. It may also work well against ticks. Oil of lemon eucalyptus may be poisonous if ingested in high quantities. According to the CDC it should not be used on kids under 3.
• Other products. Researchers have tested many other so-called natural bug repellents like citronella, peppermint oil, and other plant-based oils. Unfortunately, studies have not found them particularly effective.

So whats the overall favourite when it comes to keeping those pests at bay? Well the answer is a little bit of both; scientists at the University of Cambridge have found that the most effective formulae is one which includes Geranium Oil, Lemongrass/Citronella and also Lemon Oil.

The ingredients themselves though don’t solve the problem, it’s also extremely reliant on the method the natural oils are combined with the carrier (repellent patch or wristband); a duration of up to a week of soaking produced the best results.

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