Mosquito Repellent Oils: Which Essential Oils Are Mosquito Repellent? The Use Of Tea Tree Oil And Eucalyptus, Camphor And Other Oils

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

Mosquitoes can cause a lot of trouble: their bites itch a lot, and sometimes lead to an allergic reaction. It is especially important to protect yourself from them in the country during work, outdoors during rest, in the forest during the entire trip. There are many mosquito repellents available, but many prefer to use oils as protection. And those looking for the right remedy will find it helpful to learn how to use mosquito repellent oils.

How do oils work on mosquitoes?

There are a wide variety of aromatic oils, they have their own distinctive smells that are very pleasant to humans. But mosquitoes just don't like them.

Insects very well feel the natural smell of a person, if he is not masked by anything, and fly in search of a victim . The mosquito's sense of smell is very well developed, so it is almost impossible for a person to hide from a blood-sucking enemy. Especially when it comes to nature. Carbon dioxide and human sweat are mosquito-bait.

Essential oils release compounds that repel mosquitoes into the air, this aroma successfully repels insects from humans . In addition, the active ingredient, which is a natural insecticide, paralyzes the mosquito and causes it to die. Therefore, the insect will not dare to fly close to such aromas, which means that a person can calmly go about his business and rest. You just need to figure out which scents in this regard can help most quickly and effectively.

An overview of the most effective oils

Natural oils are a good alternative to chemicals. The basis for the production is a plant, or rather, its leaves, stems and flowers . They are very convenient to use, not only have a wonderful aroma, but also often have other properties - they calm the nervous system, help to cope with colds. Mosquitoes are afraid of such aromatherapy, which means that it is a very good repellent, which is much more useful to use than chemical agents.

Let's take a look at some of the oils that are effective mosquito repellents . It is also worth considering that each oil is not only a suitable agent in the fight against insects, but also has its own properties, which you also need to know about in order to use oils correctly.

Tea tree

The smell clearly traces a woody aroma, you can catch bitter and tart notes. In general, this smell can be called harsh, it is not for everybody . But mosquitoes don't like the smell. Therefore, when going on a hike, it is worth taking with you a bottle of this transparent product, which in some cases has a subtle green tint.

Besides, tea tree oil helps with mosquito bites: when treated with this agent, the bite site heals much faster.

If we talk about other advantages, then the aroma of the tea tree will serve as an excellent prevention of various acute respiratory infections, help calm down and restore strength.

But if the hike is long, you should periodically apply it to the skin again, as the smell quickly disappears.

Eucalyptus

Quite a popular remedy, often used to treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The smell is pungent, but fresh and invigorating. It works flawlessly on mosquitoes. If, for example, you spray a little oil in the tent, mosquitoes will not stick into it. The main thing is not to overdo it. Eucalyptus in small doses helps to cope with headaches, disinfects the room, but with an excess of funds, it can, on the contrary, cause a headache.

But those who are irritated by too strong odors should think about something softer.

Camphor

Another very strong smell that will completely scare away mosquitoes for a long time, but not everyone will like to feel this smell on themselves. The aroma is persistent and bitter, but with a small amount, this oil will not only scare away insects, it will help to cope with low blood pressure, headaches, and relieve stress.

Fir

Fir oil has a pleasant pine scent and is often used to flavor rooms. The fresh and uplifting smell is very disliked by mosquitoes.

Therefore, when going to the garden to work among green spaces or to relax in nature, you can apply this oil to your skin and not worry about having to fight bites later . You can also spray in the tent while going to bed.

The smell also has a good effect on the nervous system and serves as a good prevention of colds.

Mint

Peppermint is known to many as a pleasant sedative. Many people like the fresh pleasant smell of mint, but mosquitoes will definitely not sit on the skin if mint oil is first applied to it. It also helps to cope with headaches, stress, runny nose.

Can be applied to the skin, poured into an aroma lamp, simply sprayed

Even fresh mint leaves can help, too, if they are kneaded well and placed in different places.

Cinnamon

A pleasant aroma, often present in the kitchen, is sweet and spicy - it increases a person's appetite, but it definitely reduces the desire of insects to pursue their prey. This smell will also save you from flies and moths.

It is especially good to use such a tool at home if there are small children . Chemicals are not suitable in this case, and a few drops of oil in an aroma lamp will fill the room with a pleasant aroma and make the mosquitoes hide.

Geranium

It is believed that if there are several geranium flowers in a room, mosquitoes will not dwell there. The smell is extremely unpleasant for many insects. But there are many advantages to humans. The aroma is floral, with light hints of herb and mint. It is widely used in the fight against stress, eliminates headaches, disinfects the air.

Helps both at home and outdoors.

Rosemary

The fresh scent with herbal, woody and mint notes will not irritate a person, which cannot be said about mosquitoes. therefore you can safely take it to nature and use it at any time at home . In addition to the fact that this oil will relieve the unpleasant buzzing over the ear, it will also improve sleep and strengthen the immune system. It turns out that it will bring continuous benefits.

Juniper

The smell of juniper in normal nature is very pleasant. And the oil also has a pleasant aroma, while relieving headaches, calming the nerves. Coniferous notes sound unobtrusive, but they act on mosquitoes with one hundred percent hit. Blood suckers will stay away from the juniper scent.

This type of oil will help you have a great time outdoors, work comfortably in the garden, and ensure a restful sleep in the house.

Vanilla

This oil is suitable even for children. A pleasant sweet aroma will subtly fill the room and disperse mosquitoes. You can also make a spray by diluting the oil with water and sprinkling it around.

When going outdoors or working in the garden, this type of oil may not work, since it will scare away mosquitoes, but it can attract bees with its sweet aroma

The choice of oils is quite extensive, these are not all options.

You can use oils of orange, lemon, lavender, basil, cloves, lemongrass, lemon balm, thyme.

How to use it correctly?

The use of mosquito repellent oils has proven to be effective, but it must also be borne in mind that each remedy must be used correctly. Moreover, There are several ways you can forget about annoying mosquitoes.

Application to the skin

Aroma oil is usually highly concentrated, so it is not applied in its pure form to the skin. There are several reasons for this:

• you will need a lot of it;
• the smell will be too saturated;
• such a concentrated composition can cause allergies or simply redness of the skin.

There are several options for making a mosquito repellent using essential oil

• If you have a short walk in the evening, you need to take a little of your usual body or hand cream, add a couple of drops of any oil there - fir, lavender, orange, cedar. It is worth applying this composition to open areas of the body - and you can go outside.
• For a long hike in the woods or along the river, you can stock up on this mosquito cream in a separate jar. On the road, it is worth applying it periodically to hands, feet and other areas as needed.
• There is another option for preparing the composition. It can be made with coconut oil, olive oil, or even sunflower oil. These oils are used as the main ingredient and are mixed with a few drops of any of the mosquito-friendly aroma oils. Such a composition will be much fatter than the same cream, but it will remain on the body longer. This option is more suitable for gardening, long hikes.
• If the oily film on the body is unpleasant, you can create a different composition. To do this, you will need any bottle with a spray bottle (any of the used cosmetic will do). Pour water into the container, add a couple of tablespoons of alcohol or vodka there. Finally, add a few drops of the selected aroma oil. Such a spray will not leave marks on the skin, it can be periodically sprayed on the skin or even around you, for example, in a tent or in a resting tent.
• A small child can be protected by placing an object treated with aromatic oil, which absorbs odors well, on the stroller during a walk. For example, it could be a wooden bracelet.

Room aromatization

But it often happens that mosquitoes are already in the room and there is neither time nor desire to hunt for them

• In this case, an ordinary ceramic aroma lamp will come to the rescue . It is enough to pour a little water into it and add a few drops of one of the oils, for example, juniper or eucalyptus, geranium or mint. It all depends on what other effect is needed - maybe relieve a headache or disinfect a room, calm nerves or improve sleep.
• It is even better if there is an electric aroma diffuser . But even without special devices, you can find a way out. For example, moisten a piece of cloth or a regular napkin with oil and place it on any surface in the room. You can make several of these shreds and spread them out in different places. You can just pour a little oil into small containers. So it will not evaporate as well as with the help of special devices, but the aroma will still spread in the room, and mosquitoes will definitely feel it.
• You can consider scented candles by choosing the scent you want . It is possible to make a candle yourself. There are many candle making kits in stores now. When making a candle, you can add a few drops of the selected oil to it.
• As a last resort, if you have an ordinary candle, you can light it and add a drop of oil to the melted wax . The smell will spread throughout the apartment.

Precautionary measures

If you are going to use any type of aromatic oil, adding it to a cream or lotion, you need to conduct a test. It will allow you to find out if there is any allergy to certain components.

To do this, apply a drop of the product to the inside of the elbow and wait 10 minutes. If there is no burning, itching or redness, then you can safely use the product.

As for children, it is best not to apply such products to the skin. Alternative options can be thought of.

It should also be remembered that one of the family members may have an intolerance to certain components.

When using an aroma lamp and candles, do not leave them lit overnight, being guided by basic safety precautions. And also do not put them on accessible surfaces if there are small children or animals in the house.

If, for some reason, oil gets into your mouth, nose or eyes, you should immediately rinse your mouth with clean water, and rinse your nose and eyes

In other cases, aroma oil is safe and can only bring benefits.

The main thing is to use any type of oil in moderation.