Do Essential Oils Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Can Essential Oils Keep Mosquitoes Away?

There’s no doubt about it; mosquitoes are straight-up pests. They are incredibly annoying when they buzz around in your face and leave itchy red spots that last for days after they bite. When they come out in swarms during the summertime, they can not only be bothersome to deal with but a genuine threat to your well-being. Because mosquitoes suck blood from humans and even other animals in order to reproduce, you’re at risk of being affected.

According to experts like Laurence Zwiebel, a biology and pharmacology professor at Vanderbilt University, the effectiveness of using essential oils to repel insects varies depending on how the oils are prepared and their purity. Zwiebel highlights that the actual efficacy of essential oils for this purpose is often uncertain due to variations in quality and composition. In addition, he cautions that relying solely on essential oils for insect repellent may create a false sense of security.

Mosquitoes can spread diseases due to their tendency to draw blood. These diseases include West Nile, Zika, malaria, and yellow fever. So, when you see any sort of mosquito repellent, you might be inclined to buy it if you need protection outdoors. However, you shouldn’t just be buying any old product that claims to repel mosquitoes. In this article, we’ll discuss which repellents you should avoid. Read along to learn more. 

 

Natural Mosquito Repellent 

You may have seen mosquito repellent that incorporates essential oils into the mix. The companies that sell these products generally tout them as “alternative” to traditional mosquito repellent that uses chemicals to keep bugs away. The truth is that we don’t even know if mosquito repellent with essential oils is actually effective at what it claims to do. 

If you rely on these types of products as your go to mosquito repellent, you’re basically making a gamble on whether mosquitoes will go near you or not. So while essential oil mosquito repellents sound like a great way to use natural remedies for bug repellent and, let’s face it, also smell good at the same time, the research shows that it’s generally not super effective. 

Because of all of the potential consequences to being bitten by mosquitoes, you want a repellent that will actually protect you. The trustworthiness of a mosquito repellent starts with approval from the EPA. This is because we know that the EPA thoroughly tests products and ensures they do what they are meant to do. 

Insect repellents that contain DEET or picaridin must undergo extensive testing with the EPA. Thus, these products can be labeled with their full ingredients, whether or not they are suitable for children. As for essential oil-based repellents, the EPA categorizes them as minimum-risk pesticides, which means that they don’t undergo this intense testing. 

Essential oils repel mosquitoes by masking the natural human scents that attract these insects. Each individual’s unique smell may require different essential oils or combinations for effective repellency. It is advisable to experiment with various essential oils or blends over several nights to identify the most effective one. Once identified, the chosen oil can be used in different forms such as sprays, direct oil applications, or even diffused from the plant itself, to maintain a mosquito-free environment.

There’s really no way for manufacturers of essential oil based repellent to get legitimacy as a true bug repellent. Because they are not pesticides, they can’t undergo the testing to make sure they’re actually effective.

How can essential oils be combined with other ingredients for effective mosquito repellent?

Essential oils serve as a natural alternative to chemical repellents for warding off mosquitoes and can be blended with various substances to enhance their effectiveness. Here are some innovative methods for combining essential oils with other ingredients to produce effective mosquito repellents:

1. Topical Application: Before applying essential oils directly to the skin, it’s important to dilute them first to prevent irritation. Mixing the essential oil with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, almond, or coconut oil, not only minimizes irritation but also helps spread the oil more evenly. Gentle blending and application on exposed areas can effectively keep mosquitoes at bay.

2. Aromatic Diffusion: Using a diffuser to disperse essential oils and water into the air is an excellent way to maintain a mosquito-free environment indoors. This method distributes the repellent aroma over a wide area, making it ideal for collective settings or during evening outdoor activities on decks or patios.

3. Repellent Spray: To make a mosquito repellent spray, combine essential oils with a solvent like witch hazel, distilled water, or vodka. This helps disperse the oil and prolong its evaporative effect. This type of repellent can be sprayed directly onto clothing or around seating areas to create a mosquito-repellent zone. It’s convenient for those seeking quick application without direct skin contact.

These methods leverage the natural properties of essential oils in user-friendly and effective ways, providing a flexible approach to mosquito control in various settings.

 

Homemade Mosquito Repellent 

 

Not only can you buy essential oil mosquito repellent at the store, but there are plenty of tutorials online to show you exactly how to make your own. You can apply these essential oils topically, use them in a diffuser, or create your own spray. These methods are some of the favorite ways to utilize essential oils against mosquitoes. However, we recommend against relying on either of these faux repellents as actual or full protection from mosquitoes and other bugs and insects. 

Aside from the issues with the EPA, research simply shows that they are nowhere near as effective as repellents that contain DEET. In fact, these products might as well be used as a placebo. 

The biggest issue with essential oils is that they evaporate incredibly quickly. Mosquitoes have many chemical receptors, which is what attracts them to you. Repellents work by shutting down these receptors so that a mosquito can’t find you. 

Essential oils don’t block nearly as many of the receptors as manufactured mosquito repellant. Plus, since essential oils evaporate quickly, you have to reapply them much more frequently. Some might even need to be applied as often as every twenty minutes. 

 

Peppermint Oil for Bugs

Many proponents of using natural products swear by peppermint oil as a bug, insect, and rodent repellent. The reason is that the smell will confuse these pests and drive them away from the area. While there is some truth to the idea that peppermint oil is known to kill or ward off some bugs and insects, it’s not exactly the best DIY solution for your mosquito problems. 

You’re wasting both your time and money by putting peppermint oil all over your house or even yourself in hopes of getting pests to stop bothering you. There is no research showing that peppermint oil will repel mosquitoes, and some essential oils can be phototoxic. These oils, when applied to skin, will become irritable, red, and inflamed when exposed to the sun. These rashes can last anywhere from days to weeks afterward. 

Peppermint oil has shown efficacy as a natural insecticide, particularly in killing mosquito larvae within a relatively short time frame of 24 hours. While its potency in eradicating larvae is evident, uncertainties linger regarding its impact on adult mosquitoes. Although essential oils like peppermint may provide a temporary solution, their effectiveness in long-term mosquito control remains ambiguous. Therefore, whether peppermint oil can completely eliminate mosquitoes warrants further research and clarification.

You should try to be careful about the information you see online regarding caring for yourself and your home. Some articles and YouTube videos can cause people to create DIY fixes that end up harming them in the long run. 

 

What are some additional ways to use essential oils for mosquito repellent besides homemade solutions?

Essential oils are versatile natural repellents that can be integrated into daily life beyond homemade mixtures to ward off mosquitoes. Here are some additional ways to utilize them:

1. Commercially Prepared Products: Opt for commercially available repellents that contain essential oils. These products are conveniently pre-mixed and formulated to ensure skin safety and effectiveness. Look for labels stating active ingredients like eucalyptus or citronella essential oils.
2. Essential Oil-infused Candles or Incense: Burning candles or incense sticks that are infused with mosquito-repellent essential oils can help create a protective perimeter against mosquitoes. This is particularly effective for outdoor settings such as evening garden parties or patio dinners.
3. Wearable Essential Oil Diffusers: Invest in personal diffuser jewelry such as bracelets or necklaces designed to hold essential oils. Adding a few drops to the diffuser lets you keep a shield of mosquito repellent around you, which is effective and effortlessly stylish.
4. Essential Oil-infused Body Lotions and Soaps: Use or create body lotions and soaps that have essential oils known for their mosquito-repelling properties. This method allows the essence to stay on your skin longer, providing extended protection and moisturizing your skin.

These methods showcase the flexibility of essential oils in providing mosquito protection in various settings and forms, appealing to different preferences and situations.

Keep Yourself Protected From Mosquitoes in All Situations

Many proponents of using natural products swear by peppermint oil as a bug, insect, and rodent repellent. They reason that the smell will confuse these pests and drive them away from the area. While there is some truth to the idea that peppermint oil is known to kill or ward off some bugs and insects, it’s not the best DIY solution for your mosquito problems. You’re wasting both your time and money by putting peppermint oil all over your house or even yourself in hopes of getting pests to stop bothering you. In an article I read on the effectiveness of essential oils on repelling insects, an interview was conducted with a biology and pharmacology professor at Vanderbilt named Laurence Zwiebel. He explained that the effectiveness depends on how they are prepared and how pure the oils are, most of the time you don’t really know what you’re buying. He also stated that they give a somewhat false sense of security.

No research shows that peppermint oil repels mosquitoes, and some essential oils can be phototoxic. When applied to skin, these oils become irritable, red, and inflamed when exposed to the sun. These rashes can last anywhere from days to weeks afterward.

Essential oils offer natural remedies to alleviate discomfort caused by mosquito bites. Peppermint oil is beneficial for its cooling effects that soothe the skin and lessen inflammation. Another option is lavender oil, which not only calms the irritation from the bite but also emits a pleasant scent that can repel mosquitoes. Tea tree oil is particularly effective due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory qualities; it can be applied directly or mixed with a carrier oil like coconut oil to enhance skin relief. Additionally, using chamomile in a unique form, such as frozen chamomile tea ice cubes, can provide cooling relief and help reduce the itch and swelling associated with mosquito bites.

We at Skeeter Beater know all about keeping mosquitoes away from your person, campsite, and home. Skeeter Beater offers an organic treatment, which is a garlic-based product that eliminates mosquitoes, fleas & ticks.  It’s safe for animals and humans, and we guarantee up to 10 days after each treatment. We will re-spray if you experience mosquitoes within that time at no additional fee. If you have any questions about the effectiveness of essential oils for repelling mosquitoes, about Skeeter Beater, or about other effective methods of getting rid of mosquitoes, don’t hesitate to contact us.