It is commonly believed that certain plant species repel mosquitoes and thus protect from bites.

Websites and other sources claim that mosquitoes and other bugs “can’t stand the pungent scent” a certain plant aerates thus making it “an excellent mosquito repellent”.

A friend of mine insists that growing lavender on his balcony under his bedroom window is the reason he never has the pesky bugs in his bedroom.

The truth is that omnipresent claims such as the following are often exaggerated or just nonsense.

“Certain plants will have some effect in repelling mosquitoes from areas of your home and garden.”

Because of public health concern it’s important to express that these and other claims should be taken with a grain of salt.

Almost 700 million people get a mosquito borne illness each year including diseases such as malaria, dengue, Filariasis and West Nile virus.

It would be great if the solution to this problem was to grow some plants but alas, reality is different.

Yes, plants have deterring properties (certain insects seem to dislike the typical lavender scent). Most popular and common claims however are only valid to some extent.

What you should know about mosquito deterring plants

Caveat. It really depends on how plants are used. Plants may repel insects by their scent or via other methods.

The presence of bug deterring plants is often referred to as spatial repellents or attraction inhibitors.

Anyone living in an area with a mosquito abundance knows that having Citrosa or similar plants in your home or in the garden does not suffice in getting rid of the vicious zits.

Let’s take a look at what plants can and can not do regarding the mosquito problem.

There are 3 abilities plants can possess to repel and influence mosquitoes and other pests.

 

1: Plants may mask scents

• Certain plants such as lavender, thyme, and scented geranium produce volatile oils of which the strong scent masks the plants. This way the plants impeded insects from finding them. People use this to their advantage to confuse the bugs, masking both carbon dioxide and lactic acid exhalations as well as human sweat scent. In other words, mosquitoes may have a harder time finding you. In case of a mosquito abundance this trait may be less effective.

 

2: Plants may actively repel

• Plants like wormwood, santolina, tansy and lavender produce a bitter or putrid scent that drives insects away. Plant pests such as insects and nematodes don’t like the smell of such plants.  For this reason pest-repelling plants are often used in companion planting.

 

3: Some plants contain substances toxic to the insects

• Certain plants can be used to create insect sprays. For instance chopped chili or the dried flower of pyrethrum and the popular citronella grasses, of which repelling oil is made. Source, ABC Gardening Australia’s Fact Sheet: Pest-Management Plants.

 

Fact is that plants, by their scent, can make it more difficult for mosquitoes to find you. Certain plants inhibit the signals you send out by which they locate you.

Research by Hoffman and Miller (2003) indicates that,

A reduction of the number of mosquitoes that take flight in the presence of an attractant is accomplished by masking the attraction at cellular level.

However,

Often the presence of plants is not sufficient

In reality, the effects of having these plants close is minimal. Plants can sense being touched and have developed defense mechanisms also called host plant resistance. When untouched plants’ resistance is less manifest.

For more effective repelling, commonly some kind of action needs to be taken.

Even growing a whole lot of repelling plants in close proximity does not make much difference. Iowa State University reports:

Plants release significant amounts of their repellent oils only when their leaves are crushed

But even then, crushing leaves offers minimal protection. Making essential oils, employing smoke of the leaves, using plant based volatiles, using stems and leaves as “strewing herbs”, seem to be more effective.

• You should also be aware that not all repelling plants are created equally.  Our botanical allies do not all share a single mode of action. (“a totally effective inhibitor has yet to be discovered”)

• Add that to the fact that surprisingly little is known about how repellents act on their target insects and you will understand how ill-founded some claims are.

• What’s more is that of the almost 3500 different species of mosquito not all will  react the same to specific repellents.

Because the presence of plants can do only so much it’s good there are more effective solutions such as Mosquito Dunks and Mosquito Bits (and related products). These help minimize the mosquito problem by effectively killing the larvae.

In the past decades scientific research has increased. The WHO estimates that worldwide mosquitoes (indirectly) cause about 3 million deaths annually and demand for alternative repellents of botanical origin (natural) is growing.

Here’s what modern science has to say about the traditional use of plants to keep mosquitoes at bay.

The history of plants as ‘skeeter beaters’

Plants have been used to repel insects since ancient times. The ability of plants to repel insects comes from their evolution of traits used to deter herbivorous insects from eating them.

Usually, volatile oils (often, aromatic  or essential oils) are emanated when the plant surface is injured from an animal’s bite.

These volatile compounds are either offensive to the animal (i.e. insect), are toxic to them, or they confound and confuse their mechanisms used to find edible food sources.

Many species of herbivorous flies are affected by these insect-inhibiting traits. These insect-inhibiting plant compounds are also effective against many biting flies, including mosquitos.

Since dawn of mankind, humans have kept insect-inhibiting plants around their living spaces for the express purpose of deterring mosquitoes.

Often, these were grown both in and around living spaces to serve as in-situ repellents.

• Or, leaves and branches were collected and placed around areas desired to be kept mosquito-free—these were often broken up to free their aromatic oils,

• or they were stewed/boiled to make a concentrated pot potpourri,

• or they were burned to release a mosquito-repelling smoke.

The effectiveness of natural repellents depends on how they are deployed, and deterrence can vary between mosquito species.

The importance of staying mosquito-free was often driven by the fact that many areas of the world are places where serious mosquito-borne illnesses are prevalent—malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever, various forms of encephalitis, among other diseases.

Plants which have mosquito-repellent properties include some that are cultivated and used by humans, as well as others that mostly just grow in the wild.

The following is a overview of science-backed mosquito repelling plants, how they are used, and their efficacy as repellents.

The best mosquito repelling plants

Basil

Several plants from the genus Ocimum are effective mosquito-repellers. Basil plants are among the most pungent of herbs, and therefore make excellent natural mosquito repellents (to a certain degree, more in a bit).

Basil does have one trait that makes it exceptional for the purpose of warding off mosquitoes.

Basil gives off a scent without the leaves having to be crushed or touched. It’s one of the few herbs that have this characteristic.

Among the many varieties,  lemon basil and cinnamon basil seem to have the most potent mosquito repelling abilities.

Two 2009 studies of two different African species of Ocimum were published in the Tanzania Journal of Health Research and the Journal of Cellular Biology, respectively.

Both studies found that essential oils extracted from these plants were highly effective at repelling the malarial mosquito, Anopheles gambiae.

• The studies called for promotion of plant extracts for commercialization in rural Tanzania where whole plants are currently used as repellents against malaria vectors (Kweka, E.J., et al., 2009).

• The previously cited 2011 review in the Malaria Journal parroted very high levels of protection (up to 100%) from direct application to skin of essential oils from Ocimum, spp.

• Placing potted plants around living spaces, along with thermal expulsion of essence from leaves via heating/burning provided between 21-79% protection (Ferreira Maia, M., & Moore, S.J., 2011, March 15).

For temporary protection when in the garden, rub some leaves on your skin releasing its essential oils sticking to your skin.

Wild Sage

Latana camara, known as wild sage, is a plant native to the tropical Americas that has been widely distributed as an ornamental, becoming become invasive in several parts of the world.

• The active component for this plant includes pentacyclic triterpenoids (“Latana camara,” 2014). The previously discussed 2011 review in the Malaria Journal cited levels of protection of up to 95% from direct application to skin of essential oils from Latana, spp.

• Placing potted plants around living spaces, along with thermal expulsion of essence from leaves via heating provided between 27-42% protection (Ferreira Maia, M., & Moore, S.J., 2011, March 15).

Thymus spp. (species)

Plants of the genus Thymus are more commonly known as thyme plants. Plants from this genus are known for their use as flavorings/spices and also for their medicinal properties.

Thymol is the essential oil derived from thyme, but there are also other terpenoid compounds that give thyme its aromatic traits, and also contribute to its insect-repelling properties.

• According to the previously cited 2011 review in the Malaria Journal, levels of protection of up to 97% are possible from direct application to skin of essential oils from Thymus, spp.

• Direct burning of leaves provided 85-90% protection for up to 90 minutes (Ferreira Maia, M., & Moore, S.J., 2011, March 15).

Lemon Thyme

Citrosa, aka the Mosquito Plant is much hyped but if you go by what science has found you’d rather get lemon thyme.

• Research shows that crushed lemon thyme (Thymus X citriodorus) has 62 percent of the repelling activity of DEET. Citrosa up to 40%.

Neem

Neem is derived from the plant Azadirachta indica. Neem is widely advertised as a natural insect repellent, and it has been tested for repellency against a range of disease-vectoring insects. Field studies from India showed promise for neem-based repellents.

According to the previously cited 2011 review in the Malaria Journal, a number of neem-based applications have been examined, with varying results.

• Direct burning of leaves provided 76% protection for up to two hours. One-percent neem oil volatilized in a kerosene lamp provided 80-94% protection from mosquitoes,

• while thermal expulsion of volatiles via heating of leaves provided 25% protection.

• Topical application to skin of 2% neem oil provided 57% protection for up to four hours (Ferreira Maia, M., & Moore, S.J., 2011, March 15).

This PubMed study reports:

The Neem tree (Scientific Name – Azadirachta indica) provides many useful compounds that are used as pesticides and can be used as mosquito repellent/killer.

Eucalyptus

The plant family Myrtaceae contains several species which are known for their aromatic essential oils. Some of the better known species include the lemon eucalyptus tree, Corymbia citriodora, and species within the genus Eucalyptus.

The essential oils from these plants contain p-menthane-3,8-diol (also referred to a PMD) and other terpenoid compounds which have quite remarkable mosquito-repelling qualities.

The CDC added this compound to their effective repellents list and the Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray with 40% eucalyptus oil is a bestseller.

• According to the previously cited 2011 review in the Malaria Journal, levels of protection of up to 100% for several hours are possible from direct application to skin of varying concentrations of essential oils containing PMD.

• Direct burning of leaves and thermal expulsion of volatiles via heating provided protection varying between 48-79% (Ferreira Maia, M., & Moore, S.J., 2011, March 15).

Lemongrass

Oil of citronella is derived from the lemongrass plant, Cymbopogon, spp. Citronella is a popular natural insect-repellent, and is used as a component in many outdoor skin-care products, such as balms, sunscreens, repellents, etc.

In 2004, the U.S. Department of Agriculture tested the effectiveness of a number of citronella-based mosquito repellents, and found that these products offered from 0-5 hours of protection, depending on the product used (Cox, C., 2005, Fall). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), citronella oil is considered a Minimum Risk Pesticide.

• A 2011 review of natural insect repellents published in the Malaria Journal cited very high levels of protection (up to 100%) from direct application to skin of essential oils from citronella.

• Thermal expulsion of citronella essence from leaves that were heated or directly burned in rooms still provided between 49-79% protection (Ferreira Maia, M., & Moore, S.J., 2011, March 15).

Just planting some of these plants is not a guarantee for a mosquito-free time. A plant that could be more suited for this task is the next contender.

Catnip

Catnip, Nepeta cataria, produces a terpenoid essential oil, nepetalactone, which has fly and mosquito-repellent properties.

A 2005 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology compared the effectiveness of an essential oil called nepetalactone to that of DEET, the most commonly-used synthetic insect repellent. (Nepetalactone is the cat magnet, it gives catnip its distinct scent.)

• In a laboratory setting, the catnip product was shown to be more effective than DEET for repelling insects from spaces.

• However, it was less effective than DEET as a topical repellent applied to skin (Bernier, U.R., Furman, K.D., Kline, D.L., Allan, S., & Barnard, D.R., 2005, May).

 

Marigolds

The brightly colored border plants with their distinctive smell do not only put off certain gardeners. Mosquitoes seem to dislike the plant’s scent too. Or at least essential oils derived from the orange flowering plant. Claims that the scent of the plant itself are not scientifically grounded.

Marigolds roots contain a chemical substance called thiopenes. This plant is valued as a companion plant since it repels white flies, aphids, cabbage maggots among other pests.

A  ‘screened cage method’ study with human subjects examining the repellent action of essential oils derived from Marigolds and Myrtle compared to DEET demonstrated that,

• The protection time of 50% essential oils of marigold and myrtle were respectively 2.15 and 4.36 hours compared to 6.23 hours for DEET 25%.

Citrosa, ‘The Mosquito Plant’

Other plants which may have mosquito-repelling qualities include those in genus Citrosa, also known as the “mosquito plant.” Crushed citrosa leaves have 30 to 40 percent of the repellency of DEET according to scientists.

Research demonstrates the plant is ineffective as an attraction inhibitor against Aedes aegypti mosquitos.

“Not only was the plant ineffective at protecting humans against Aedes mosquito bites, the mosquitoes were seen landing and resting on the citrosa plant on a regular basis.”

Other plants

Lavender is another perennial herbaceous plant that contains a pleasant-smelling essential oil which repels mosquitos.

Crushing the leaves of the herb lemon balm (also known as Horsemint) and rubbing the crushed leaves on your skin supposedly provides a measure of protection against mosquito bites. Stone root plants also have mosquito-repelling qualities.

In Tanzanian villages the most commonly used mosquito repelling plants are Basil Mtule (Ocimum suave) and African Blue Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum). A study showed that 67% out of 120 households interviewed used these plants.

Chemical analysis of the essential oils of these two plants showed that they were somewhat similarly effective as citronella and DEET in reducing bites.

In another African field study, orymbia citriodora also known as lemon-scented gum, blue spotted gum, lemon eucalyptus and eucalyptus citriodora turned out to be most effective.

In fact, many different types of plants have mosquito repellent action when essential oils or extracts are derived. According this study, crude extract of the Balloon plant or Love in a Puff for instance gives protection against mosquito bites too.

The best mosquito repelling plants

Which plants are the best to repel mosquitoes from your yard or home depends largely on how you are going to use them.

I myself am going to put some big pots of basil in my kitchen this summer. In case this doesn’t get rid of my buzzing foes I will still be making some delicious home made pesto.

I may also grow some lemon thyme or eucalyptus for culinary purposes and to to throw on the barbecue to ward off the flying pests.

Perhaps position some pots of marigolds or horsemint near entrances to prevent skeeters (hopefully) from entering my bedroom window or patio door.

You never know if the scent helps prevent them from crossing these barriers and then of course fingers crossed that the brightly colored flowers don’t attract wasps.

How to use as DIY deterring spray

Besides picking some leaves, crushing them burning them, and rubbing the mashed leaves on your skin there are some other ways to make natural repellents.

• The oil method: this involves covering crushed foilage with a neutral oil like almond, strain the oil, add new foilage and cover with the strained oil again. This should be repeated for a few days. The end product is mixed lotion or with alcohol to make a spray.

• The alcohol method: the crushed foilage is steeped in alcohol and put aside for a few weeks to cure.

Again, an important nuance is that, contrary to DEET,

plant-based repellents do not have this rigorously tested safety record, with most being deemed safe because they have simply been used for a long time. However, many plant-based repellents contain compounds that should be used with caution. (PubMed)

Wrapping it up, do plants work as mosquito repellents?

Yes they do but only up to so far. Many plants offer limited protection against mosquitoes, depending on how they are used.

This may be important for those living in poorer countries which are located in tropical or other areas of the world where mosquito-borne illness are endemic, and where DEET-based repellents are unavailable or too costly to acquire.

Such practices are merely a last resort application driven out of having no other options and certainly not an all-natural, effective solution.

It is important, to emphasize the greater effectiveness of DEET-based repellents; especially for those who might be traveling to areas known for mosquito-vectored diseases.

I haven’t encountered one botanical or natural mosquito repellent that have had lasting effect at all. Slather it on and a few minutes later mosquitoes are already landing right on top of it.

Rubbing some leaves of these plants can be fine during a quick trip in the garden picking some herbs for dinner. It’s effects may be similar to using the Off! Clip On Fan.

Since they generally only protect for a while it’s best not to rely on these plants for hours on end. Rubbing some homemade lemon thyme based anti-mosquito lotion on your skin will not keep you safe for long.

Contrary to what is commonly thought are natural products derived from plant extracts not healthier, organic and more skin-friendly choices.

Even though none of the plant-derived chemicals tested to date demonstrates the broad effectiveness and duration of protection of DEET, a few of them do show repellent activity (Sukumar et al., 1991; Trongtokit et al., 2005).

Especially with the recent introduction of the West Nile virus in the U.S. it all boils down to efficacy. DEET and in lesser degree Picaridin are the most efficient repellents. Botanical repellents need to be re-applied up to 4 times more often.

Plants known for their repellent abilities in the garden or home can be nice additions as quick, natural, short-term repellents but don’t count on them if you take protection seriously.

 

What do you think?

Do you use plants at home to keep mosquitoes at a distance? Or make your own botanical repellent? Share your thoughts and experiences below.

 

For more studies on plant based repellents and their effectiveness see this table. Read this post for an overview of effective and useless ways to repel mosquitoes from the yard.

References

Bernier, U.R., Furman, K.D., Kline, D.L., Allan, S., & Barnard, D.R. (2005, May). Comparison of contact and spatial repellency of catnip oil and N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet) against mosquitoes. J Med Entomol, 42(3), 306-311. University of Nebraska / Lincoln.

Cox, C. (2005, Fall). Plant-based mosquito repellents: Making a careful choice. J Pesticide Reform, 25(3), 6-7. Retrieved from BeyondPesticides.org.

Kweka, E.J., Mwang’onde, B.J., Mahande, M.J., Mosha, F.W., Kimaro, E.E., Msangi, S…Mahande, A.M. (2009, April-June). Evaluation of Ocimum suave essential oil against anthropophilic malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.s after ten years of storage. Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 11(2), 94-96. Retrieved from BioLine.org.

Kweka, E.J., Nkya, H.M., Lyaruu, L., Kimaro, E.E., .Mwang’onde, B.J., & Mahande, A.M. (2009, October). Efficacy of Ocimum kilimandscharicum plant extracts after four years of storage against Anopheles gambiae ss. J Cell Anim Biol, 3(10), 171-174. Retrieved from AcademicJournals.org.

Maia, M.F., & Moore, S.J. (2011, March 15). Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing. Malar J 10(Suppl), S11. Doi:10.1186/1475-2875-10-S1-S11

USEPA. (2014). Minimum Risk Pesticides. Retrieved from EPA.

 

Images:  Marigolds,  Neem tree, Basil, Wild Sage, Lemongrass,

 

 

If  you have ever been to tropical areas you’ll probably have used DEET. Especially in those regions of the world where malaria is a threat, an effective mosquito repellent is a must. And now that the West Nile virus has made its entrance in the US it may be a required for domestic use too.

Anyone who has sprayed their skin with the chemical repellent and then picked up a nylon jacket or plastic shades may have seen the item fall apart in their hands.

DEET can damage all kinds of synthetic items, from flipflops to water bottles. It may take of your nail polish or disintegrate your tights.

Which begs the question, what about the health concerns regarding the substance itself? Is it really safe to use?

What exactly is DEET?

It’s the most common synthetic insect repellent. Chemically known as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide; also called N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide. Because of these scientific names it is better known by its acronym, DEET.

DEET was developed for use by the U.S. Army during World War II in 1946 and has been registered as a pesticide since 1957 when it became available to the consumer market.

Why is DEET often recommended?

Natural alternatives such as plant extract-based substances exist. These include citronella oil and p-menthane-3,8- diol (PMD). While it is true that these compounds are also good at repelling insects there is a downside.

Most plant-based repellents are made up of volatile constituents which makes them not effective over long periods of time. In other words, for you to stay protected you have to keep on applying these repellents.

DEET is the most effective repellent because, contrary to other (natural) insect repellents the synthetic compound DEET works for hours on end. Simply put, DEET is the best bug repellent and only really effective substance we’ve got.

For this reason it is the most widely used repellent and as PubMed states,

generally considered to be the “gold standard” repellent, providing long-lasting protection of up to 8 hours from time of application [2].

 

Does DEET work on mosquitos only?

DEET is known to repel a wide range of insects including mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, chiggers, no-see-ums, midges and gnats.

DEET products

World’s most well known mosquito repellent comes in various forms such as sprays, lotions, liquids, and impregnated materials  such as wrist bands,  nets, towelettes and roll on devices. Products used for direct application to the skin contain from 4% to 100% Deet. Most formulas however, contain between 10% and 30%.

As of 2005, 30 different manufacturers offered over 100 products for sale that contained DEET.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimated that in 1990 about 30 percent of Americans used DEET every year. The estimated use in 2000 was between 5 and 7 million pounds (J Pesticide Reform, 2005, Fall).

How does Deet work?

Instead of killing mosquitos Deet works by making it hard for the bugs to smell you. DEET is one of the few registered pesticides that is applied directly to the skin and clothing.

The way DEET works is to prevent special receptors in the insects’ antennae from functioning normally so they cannot detect the presence of the host they are seeking to bite (J Pesticide Reform, 2005, Fall).

According to Consumer Reports tests, “the top six repellents protected against deer ticks and mosquitoes for seven hours or more.”

How long does DEET work?

It depends on the concentration. The higher the percentage of DEET present in the product, the longer it works.

Generally products with 10 percent DEET are effective for about two hours.  It is said that a DEET concentration of approximately 24 percent provides five hours of protection on average.

However, if you are going to tropical locations it is recommended to use spray containing at least 20% DEET.  Even a repellent with a 15% concentration is claimed to put you at risk of malaria and Dengue fever.

WebMD mentions:

Repellents with 23.8% DEET protect wearers for about five hours, according to a study led by Mark Fradin, PhD, a researcher with Chapel Hill Dermatology.

Senior lecturer in medical entomology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Dr James Logan stresses that low level DEET products are not very effective. He urges to use repellents containing 20-50 % DEET in tropical areas.

Don’t believe the scaremongers

If you have to believe the scary tales of people like Dr. Mercola you will think twice before putting Deet on your skin.

A wide range of websites warn for the dangers of Deet mosquito repellent. Some tell you that the substance is so harsh, it kills mosquitoes which is false.

Others make claims such as:

“DEET pumps through your nervous system and has been proven to kill brain cells”

Recent research demonstrates that all Deet does, especially upon reading such information, is make people nervous as this article by the Los Angeles Times demonstrates, DEET repels bugs, worries consumers.  It however, does not affect our nervous system.

Is DEET really safe?

According to some sources traditional insect repellents such as DEET can be hazardous. This conclusion is commonly based on the following assumptions and findings.

• DEET has been tested on laboratory animals and on human cells and has been shown to cause damage to DNA. “The results indicate that dermal administration of DEET could generate free radical species hence cause DNA oxidative damage in rats.” (PubMed)

• Some governments limit DEET concentration after reports of DEET use causing a type of brain disease called encephalopathy. To put this in perspective, since 1957 and the hundreds of millions of applications of the substance to the skin since that time there were only 14 cases of encephalopathy associated with DEET. Which, in relative terms, is an extremely small number. Also, experts point out that “it is difficult to point to DEET as the culprit.”

• The two pregnant women who gave birth to babies with problems were known to use “large amounts of DEET”.

• DEET was shown to cross the placenta in pregnant laboratory animals and exposure to DEET in amounts equivalent to what is typically applied to human skin was shown to affect their behavior and nervous systems, reducing sensory and motor skills.

• There’s one human trial on the safety of DEET, conducted on pregnant women in Thailand. It showed evidence of traces of DEET in the children, suggesting that the substance could cross the placental barrier there were however no differences in the health of the babies between the DEET treatment group and the control group babies.

• This study demonstrated that researchers, following women in Thailand who used DEET from their second trimester of pregnancy onward DEET reduced the incidences of malaria. Also, babies born to moms who used DEET didn’t suffer from birth defects or even differ from babies born to moms who didn’t use DEET.

• DEET has been shown to cause synergism when mixed with certain other pesticides like permethrin and Malathion.

• DEET has also been suspected of being an environmental contaminant and might be harmful to the developing chicks of birds (J Pesticide Reform, 2005, Fall).

 

Despite the horror stories, DEET is generally considered safe

The aforementioned PubMed study also mentions  “some rare reports of severe reactions in people”.

It also refers to DEET causing plastic to melt and damaging mobile phones and glasses.  Other common disadvantages of DEET are the unpleasant odor and skin sensation after application.

In conclusion, although these proclaimed health risks sound scary and serious in reality they are not that realistic. Often such warnings are taken out of context.

Joe Conlon, PhD, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association says that DEET,

has been in use for over 40 years and has a remarkable safety record. Only few hospitalizations have been reported, mainly due to gross overuse.

 

Meta study concludes DEET is safe

Dr Logan, leading a review of existing studies concluded that

There is insufficient evidence to show that DEET is unsafe for human use. If DEET caused serious health problems, we would know about it by now.

According to the researchers, “the benefits of avoiding disease-spreading insect bites outweigh any risks associated with applying DEET to the skin.”

EPA on DEET

According to the Environmental Protection Agency the substance is safe when used according directions.

EPA continues to believe that the normal use of DEET does not present a health concern to the general population, including children.

 

What do other sources say?

• The renowned health website WebMD also refers to EPA and adds that DEET has caused rare toxic reactions when not used as instructed.

• Most sources agree that DEET shouldn’t be applied to babies less than 2 months old.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised against using repellents with DEET concentrations higher than 30% on any kids.

• Consumer Reports Health advice against using a repellent with more than 30% DEET.

 

Does Deet have no risks or side effects at all?

As with all substances, even the mildest, skin irritation may occur. We are all different. Obviously, accidents can happen. Breathing in or swallowing the bug spray can cause bug spray poisoning.

Wrapping it up

Most experts agree that the benefits of using DEET outweigh the (potential) downsides. Sure it doesn’t smell like roses and it may feel unpleasant on your skin.

But by avoiding its use or using too little you are likely to put yourself in harmful situations.

Also make sure to use a repellent with an appropriate concentration to guarantee its efficacy.

Scientists are working on natural alternatives that are just as effective. Until that time, keep spraying and remember,  if not just truly annoying, mosquitoes are the world’s most deadly animals.

Read this to learn more about proven effective ways to make your yard less attractive to mosquitoes.

 

 

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Have you ever returned from the woods, covered in mosquito bites, while your friends are somehow untouched?

Or your significant other doesn’t seem to be bothered at all during that hot summer night while you lie awake from the buzzing while suppressing the urge to scratch your itchy welts.

You’re probably among the 20% of people who are naturally attractive to mosquitoes. According to other experts such as Jerry Butler, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Florida this number is a bit lower.

“One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes” .

It can be annoying to feel like ‘they’ always have to have you but it’s a fact, some people are more prone to mosquito bites than others. Certain individuals somehow seem to attract them more.

I am one of those people. Sadly the pesky bugs like me a lot.  But how come? What is it that they like to bite me and not my girlfriend?

There are various reasons. In fact there’s a huge range of factors in play.

Scientists are researching which compounds and odors people exude that might attract mosquitoes. With 400 different compounds to examine, researchers are just scratching the surface of getting a clear view on what really makes mosquitos favor certain people.

Mosquitoes use scent, heat, carbon dioxide,  moisture, and vision to locate hosts.

Read on to discover some of the factors which may be making you look like a delicious dinner to the little flying annoyances.

12 reasons why mosquitoes bite some people more than others

Genetics

Unfortunately, your genetics play the biggest role in how likely you are to be bitten by a mosquito. Scientists estimate that up to 85% of the reason why you’re being bitten by mosquitoes is due to your genetic makeup.

So how attractive you are to mosquitoes is largely out of your control. Until we find ways to modify genetics, you’re stuck with the genes you’ve been given by your parents.

According to WebMD

genetics account for a whopping 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito bites.

 

Factors that determine if you are mosquito magnet are..

Blood Type

A study showed that mosquitos landed nearly twice as often on people with Type O blood as on those with Type A blood. Type B blood falls somewhere in between Type O and Type A.

Not only blood type plays a role in your attractiveness to mosquitoes.

Over 80% of people secrete a chemical signal that can be used to determine what type of blood that they have. Those who secrete the chemical signal are more likely to be bitten, no matter what type of blood they actually have.

Metabolism

Researchers have found that if you have high concentrations of cholesterol or steroids on your skin’s surface you are more attractive to mosquitos.

This has to do with your metabolism. Human skin is directly involved in cholesterol metabolism. In fact, our skin contains approximately 11% of all the cholesterol and steroid hormones are synthesized from cholesterol.

Carbon Dioxide

Mosquitoes are keen to detect the carbon dioxide that you exhale with every breath. They are so sensitive that they can detect someone breathing from over 150 feet away.

People who breathe more often are more likely to attract mosquitos. In general, the larger you are, the more carbon dioxide you exhale. That’s why children are less likely to be bitten than adults.

In addition to carbon dioxide we excrete a so called semiochemical called nonanal. This triggers their sense of smell and is how they find us.

Body odor

Your skin releases volatiles which guide certain mosquito species to its host.

More specifically, a chemical present in your breath called acetone, etradiol which is a breakdown product of estrogen, and lactic acid which is part of your sweat all attract mosquitos. Some people excrete more of these substances than others.

Sweating

Mosquitoes aren’t just sensitive to carbon dioxide; they can also smell uric acid, lactic acid and ammonia that are in your sweat. They are also able to detect people with a higher body temperature.

When you exercise, your body builds up excess lactic acid and increases your body temperature. These changes in your body are like ringing the dinner bell for mosquitoes. Genetics play a role in lactic acid production, so some people are more vulnerable than others.

Bacteria

Skin bacteria are also particularly appealing to mosquitoes. Research has shown that having increased levels of certain types of bacteria will lead to an increased susceptibility to mosquito bites.

Not every type of bacteria will lure in mosquitoes though. Large amounts of unattractive bacteria types have actually been shown to repel mosquitoes.

As it seems some mosquito types do have a taste for the bacteria present on sweaty feet. This also explains why your feet and ankles are so often targeted by the bugs.

So instead of tossing your smelly socks away from the bed you may want to drop them in the laundry basket before hitting the sack. Taking a quick foot bath may help too.

Consuming Alcohol

Drinking a single beer is likely to increase your chances of being bitten by pesky insects. Whether it’s the increase in body temperature, or the increase in ethanol found in your sweat, no one really knows.

Scientists have been unable to find a correlation between any one factor caused by drinking and an increase in mosquito bites. The only thing that’s certain is that if you drink, you’re going to be bit. Here’s a study that found that drinking alcohol stimulates mosquito attraction.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women are almost twice as likely to be bitten by a mosquito. This is more than likely due to the fact that pregnant women exhale much more carbon dioxide.

Pregnant women also have higher body temperatures. An increase of just over a single degree in body temperature increases their likelihood of mosquito landings. Read more on PubMed.

Color of Your Clothes

This one is probably the hardest to believe, but James Day, from the University of Florida, claims that clothing color plays a role in how often people are bitten. He postulates that mosquitos use sight as well as smell to locate victims.

Colors that stand out, like black and red, may increase your chances of being bitten. Wearing greens and browns may help to camouflage you, protecting you from being seen by the winged assailants.

Movement & Excercise

Similarly, when you move, you are easier to spot. Mosquitoes will recognize you as a living being providing them with the desired blood. After all, they use sight as their first detection method.

Now you can try to lie still in bed but some people just move a lot. I can’t sit still and when in bed I tend to roll from side to side to my back until asleep.

It’s especially after exercising that you will become a mosquito magnet. Let’s say you have been running around the basketball court. Mosquitos have noticed you and lock on.  Now you are panting from the physical strain. Carbon dioxide from your heavy breathing has them closing in. The lactic acid present in your sweat makes sure all the mosquitos on the block know where to find you.

Being less repellant

New research emphasizes another way of thinking. Jonathan Day, professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida says that according to the latest insights it’s not so much what makes you attract the bugs but what makes you repel them.

Some people are just more naturally repellant. They are theorized to produce more dermal chemicals that mask the cues mosquitos use to find us.

Some people seem to naturally avoid mosquitos with no effort at all on their part. Scientists have begun to study these people to determine why this is. They have discovered some people secrete natural repellents that the mosquitoes don’t seem to like.

These natural compounds are being researched in order to synthesize them for everyone’s benefit. The next generation of mosquito repellants may actually be born from genetics, rather than unnatural chemical compounds.

According to scientific research, human beings are differentially attractive to mosquitoes and other biting insects.

Laboratory studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that this can be attributed partly to the fact that some people’s bodies produce more natural repellent chemicals.

The so called ‘arm in cage experiment’ found that certain repellents naturally present in humans, so called human-derived repellents consist of aldehydes and ketones.

• The clinical trial conducted by James Logan and John Pickett (Vince, 2006) basically tested body odor. Two different test persons put one hand into each end of a cage and the researchers observed which hand the mosquitos preferred and which not. By examining the less desirable person further they were able to find naturally present body chemicals that may be of help in producing a natural insect repellent.

 

Conclusion

Who would have thought. Sipping beer in your short sleeved hawaii shirt on a hot evening will make you attractive to the ladies. The mosquito ladies that is.

If you’d like to avoid a rash of nasty mosquito bites, limit physical exertion, wear shades of green and don’t forget the bug spray. Other than that, there really isn’t much you can do to avoid the wrath of these tiny winged vermin. Once you’ve been bitten you may want to use one of the many mosquito bite remedies for relief.

Photo by Lolo from Tahiti.