Keep Them From Biting With Mosquito Repellents!

Some of the outdoor mosquito repellents that have been used over the years include smoke and burning citronella candles. Some fishermen have even been known to attach a sheet of fabric softener to their hats as a mosquito repellent. This actually is not such a good idea because mosquitoes are attracted to scents. It will take something much stronger than an insect repellant to get rid of these pesky insects. Repellent products are not designed to get rid of mosquitoes - they actually work to keep them away from you so that you will not get bitten.

If you do not like using repellents and sprays that contain deet to keep away mosquitoes, why not use a natural mosquito repellent? Natural oils from volatile plants make the best insect repellents and they include:

• Citronella oil
• Castor oil
• Clove oil
• Geranium oil
• Peppermint oil
• Lemongrass oil
• Cedar oil
• Rosemary oil

Are there any problems with using natural oils for mosquito control?

Many natural oils will not work well for repelling mosquitoes if you wear a lot of sunscreen. These products are good for only a short duration, such as an hour or so in the garden or sitting on the porch. Be mindful that wearing perfume, the natural absorption of the skin and your clothing rubbing off the oil reduces their effectiveness. You also have to be careful with using clove oil because it can irritate the skin and become a health problem. You should never apply these products to any areas of the skin where you have open cuts or scratches and take care to avoid getting any oil in your eyes. In spite of these problems, natural repellent oils are still a nice alternative to repellents that contain chemicals.