Mosquitoes are attracted by many things
people do, wear, put on themselves etc.
One of the reasons people attract
mosquitoes is the carbon dioxide from the
breathing. It also seems they are
attracted by sweat, scents (perfumes),
body odor and also body heat.
Since some people seem to be a mosquito
magnet while others around them don’t
get a single bite, I have the suspicion
that there could be a personal body
chemistry factor involved. And that could
explain why a remedy that works for one
person, may not work for another.
Some Basics
for Mosquito Bite
Prevention:
Wear light
colored clothing, mosquitoes are attracted
to dark clothes.
Keep your body covered as much as
possible (including wearing a hat),
although mosquitoes can find their way
through the fabric – it does cut down on
bites.
Home Remedies
& Tips:
Vanilla Extract: A few different
recommendations for this one, each
contradicting the other. Some say to dab
Vanilla Extract on your pulse points,
others say to rub it all over your skin
& dab your clothes. Some say the cheap
stuff is what you have to use, others say
the real, pure Vanilla is the only thing
that will work. Some say to apply it full
strength, others say you can dilute it
with water and spray it on. Play around
with Vanilla to see what gives you best
results – there are plenty of believers
for this one as a mosquito deterrent so I
think there’s something to it.
Garlic: This isn’t a favorite
thing to do day-to-day, but if you’re
going camping or hiking through heavily
mosquito infested areas, try a garlic
powder and water paste. Apply to pulse
points, behind knees, on shoes and ankles
and a dab or two on your cheeks or
somewhere on your face and kneck.
Remember–keep out of eyes. And maybe
stay out of public places too.
Essential Oils: Mix choice of
essential oils with rubbing alcohol, or
witch hazel, or distilled water and spritz
on body or directly on cloth to rub on
body (shake before each use). Or add a few
drops in baby oil or olive oil then rub on
skin. You can also apply drops along a
strip of fabric (cotton) and tie around
wrist.
* Make sure to avoid mouth and eye areas
when using essential oils.
Citronella oil
Lavender oil
Catnip oil
Eucalyptus oil
Pennyroyal oil
Tansy oil
Basil oil
Thyme oil
Cedar oil
Tea Tree oil
Peppermint oil
Lemongrass oil
Plants: Break off leaves and
crush them roughly, rub them all over your
clothes and skin. Toss the bruised leaves
around the perimeter of your deck or
patio. Also plant these in pots and
arrange them around the patio. You could
also infuse these in water and then use
that as a spray.
Citronella
Lavender
Basil
Catnip
Pennyroyal
Tansy
Marigolds
Household Hack:
Spray garlic powder and water all over the
yard and bushes. Use a fertilizer hose
attachment. Will need to be done bi-weekly
(approx) or after a heavy rain.
Items to Eat (daily): Apparently
the smell that comes out of your pores
from a steady diet of the below deters
mosquitoes. The items aren’t meant to be
combined, they’re just different
suggestions.
