All Natural Mosquito Repellent - Can it Replace DEET?

If you are a mosquito magnet like I am, you have probably purchased a lot of mosquito repellent in your lifetime. Until recently, I was locked in to using mosquito repellent products that contained DEET. I didn't like using DEET, but I didn't think I had any choice. I didn't think an all natural mosquito repellent would possibly work as well as DEET. I was wrong. I have actually found a few all natural mosquito repellents that work reasonably well.

What is an All Natural Mosquito Repellent?

An all natural mosquito repellent is most likely made up of some combination of lemon eucalyptus, geranium, soybean, and citronella oils. Some other plants considered to be all natural mosquito repellents are oils made from fennel, thyme, cloves, celery extract, neem (a tropical tree), and garlic. But tests are still being done on these plant extracts and none of them seem to be as strong a repellent as lemon eucalyptus, geranium, soybean, or citronella oils. Vitamin B1 has also been said to provide some relief from mosquitoes but tests by researchers at the University of Wisconsin could find no proof of this. Still, it usually can't hurt to take your vitamins.

Some All Natural Mosquito Repellents That are Worth a Try

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent
Repel has been found in studies by the New England Journal of Medicine, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Consumer Reports to be one of the most effective all natural mosquito repellents. Tests by these organizations found that Repel was actually more effective than a repellent with a low concentration of DEET. The effectiveness was good for up to two hours in most cases. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent can be found at Wal-Mart, Target, and REI. Some people find that the scent is a little two strong, however. It is made up of 30% lemon eucalyptus oil, after all. If you don't like lemons, this may not be the best repellent for you. Unlike DEET, the lemon eucalyptus oil in Repel will not stain clothing or plastics, but it may damage leather. This all natural mosquito repellent is not recommended for children under three years of age. Repel can be purchased for $8.50 from Amazon.com.

This all natural mosquito repellent does repel mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks and for most people, lasts the longest per application. It does not need to be washed off the skin after coming inside as does DEET. The Centers for Disease Control does recommend lemon eucalyptus oil for protection against mosquitoes but you should test it on a small patch of skin first to be sure you are not allergic to it. I have used this product and have found it to work fairly well. However, the strong lemon smell is a deterrent to me. But, anything is better than DEET!

Bite Blocker
The primary ingredients in this all natural mosquito repellent are soybean oil and geranium oil. Unlike Repel, Bite Blocker is safe for kids because it is made up of plant-based ingredients that are food grade in quality. Shown to be one of the most effective all natural mosquito repellents in tests, Bite Blocker has been found to be effective for an average of 90 minutes. It can also be reapplied as needed. However, different products work differently on different people so Bite Blocker might work better for you than Repel. Since the price is comparable, it would be worth it to test both products to see which one is best for you. I have not tried Bite Blocker, myself, but would definitely consider it since the strong lemon smell of Repel does bother me just a bit. Bite Blocker can be purchased for a little over $8.50 from Amazon.com

California Baby
I recently purchased this all natural insect repellent at the Eco Nook on St. Simons Island, Georgia. This repellent is made with lemon eucalyptus oil and citronella. It is in lotion form and has a nice soft, silky feel as you put it on. It also has a strong lemon scent (hard to escape this with a product that contains the lemon eucalyptus oil) but the scent tones down a little after you've applied it. It says it repels mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and biting flies. It also suggests reapplying generously and often. But with a product that feels like it is softening your skin and is good for it, reapplying it is a pleasure instead of a chore. An added bonus - if you already have some insect bites, California Baby contains ingredients (aloe vera, yucca, Irish moss) that will soothe your current bites while it protects you from additional ones. California Baby all natural mosquito repellent can be purchased from Amazon.com for $12.99.

Herbal Soaps
If you like to pamper yourself with natural, handmade soaps, why not consider purchasing soaps that contain the ingredients that repel mosquitoes. Jackie Turbot at www.handcraftedbyjackieturbot.com makes and sells soaps with all natural mosquito repellents. Ask for the Lemon Eucalyptus Bug Off Blend. I have used several of Jackie Turbot's soaps, including the Bug Off Blend. She attends craft shows in Florida and Illinois, as well as on St. Simons Island where I have purchased her products. Her soaps are wonderful. I have to admit, I've never ventured out into the wild with only her soap to protect me. But I have combined using her soap with one of the other all natural mosquito repellents and it seems to enhance the effect.

If, like me, you are concerned about the long term effects of DEET, you should consider trying an all natural mosquito repellent. You may have to reapply it more often or pay a little more. But, it may be worth it.

Sources:
Cathy Wong, Natural Mosquito Repellents, About.com
Best Insect Repellent Reviews, consumersearch.com