Mosquito Repellents: 11 Things They Hate
, by Aussie Pharma Direct, 6 min reading time
Humans have their fair share of pet peeves, whether it's the sound of someone chewing loudly, people who talk during movies, or drivers who don't use their indicators.
Mosquitoes are tiny, persistent insects that can turn a pleasant evening into a battle for your sanity. Not only are their bites irritating, but they can also pose health risks. Interestingly, they have their own set of dislikes. Just like humans, they have certain things that they absolutely hate.
In this blog, we'll explore what mosquitoes find annoying and downright repellent.
1. Strong winds
Imagine trying to fly in the face of a strong wind—it's exhausting!
Mosquitoes are relatively weak flyers, especially when compared to other insects. Their lightweight bodies and delicate wings make it challenging for them to navigate through turbulent air. When a strong wind (or even a gentle breeze) blows, it disrupts their flight patterns, causing them to struggle to stay on course. This instability makes it difficult for them to approach their intended targets – humans and other warm-blooded animals.
2. Cool temperatures
The general temperature range in which mosquitoes thrive is typically between 25°C and 35°C. Mosquitoes are cold-blooded creatures, meaning their body temperature depends on the temperature of their surroundings. As the mercury dips, their metabolic processes slow down significantly. This metabolic slowdown affects their ability to fly, feed, and reproduce. Mosquitoes rely on warmth to function optimally, and cold temperatures disrupt their physiological processes. In colder conditions, mosquitoes often seek shelter to conserve energy and wait for more favourable temperatures.
3. Smoke and smokey devices
Mosquitoes have specialised sensory receptors that help them detect heat, humidity, and chemical signals. Smoke from a burning source, such as a campfire, bonfire, or smoky device, releases a complex mixture of chemicals into the air which can overwhelm these receptors, effectively "jamming" their sensory perception. This sensory overload makes it difficult for mosquitoes to lock onto the signals that lead them to their targets.
4. Citronella
Citronella, or lemongrass is known for its distinctive lemon-like scent. It disrupts mosquitoes' olfactory receptors, making it harder for them to detect carbon dioxide and other chemical signals emitted by potential hosts. The combination of citronella oil and vanillin presents a promising solution for extending mosquito protection time when compared to citronella oil used alone. Scientific studies employing the room method have yielded compelling results, demonstrating that both citronella oil and the combination of citronella oil and vanillin offer complete repellency for at least 3 hours
5. Lavender
Lavender emits a potent and pleasant scent that humans find appealing but mosquitoes find overwhelming. The intense aroma of lavender can mask the chemical cues and scents that attract mosquitoes to humans and other warm-blooded animals.
When applied topically or diffused, it releases lavender's fragrance into the air, forming a natural barrier that discourages mosquitoes from approaching. Dried lavender buds can be used in sachets or placed in strategic locations to repel mosquitoes indoors. Their strong scent lingers and provides protection against mosquitoes for an extended period.
6. Peppermint
Peppermint oil, derived from the peppermint plant (Mentha x piperita), contains a potent compound called menthol. It's this menthol that mosquitoes find highly repellent. In a field trial, it was discovered that the power of peppermint oil in its pure, undiluted form repelled mosquitoes effectively. Just 1 millilitre of undiluted peppermint oil was found to provide complete repellency against Anopheles annularis, Anopheles culicifacies, and Anopheles subpictus mosquitoes for extended periods.
7. Lemon eucalyptus
Lemon eucalyptus, scientifically known as Eucalyptus citriodora or Corymbia citriodora, is a remarkable natural mosquito repellent that has gained popularity for its effectiveness and pleasant fragrance. The active ingredient in lemon eucalyptus oil that makes it an effective mosquito repellent is known as PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol). PMD is a natural compound found in varying concentrations in lemon eucalyptus oil and is known for its mosquito-repelling properties.
8. Cloves and clove oil
Cloves are aromatic spice buds often used in cooking and baking but they have an unexpected and impressive quality—they can serve as a natural mosquito repellent. Cloves contain natural compounds such as eugenol, which mosquitoes find highly repellent. One of the most common ways to use cloves as a mosquito repellent is by burning them. When cloves are burned, they release a fragrant smoke that carries the repellent properties of eugenol into the air. This smoke creates a barrier, effectively keeping them at bay.
9. Neem oil
Neem oil, derived from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), is a versatile and natural mosquito repellent that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and pest control. Neem oil contains several bioactive compounds, the most notable of which is azadirachtin. Azadirachtin is known for its potent insect-repelling properties and serves as the primary mosquito deterrent in neem oil.
10. Garlic
While garlic has some mosquito-repelling properties due to its strong odour, its primary effectiveness lies in its ability to target mosquito larvae rather than adult mosquitoes. Research has shown that extracts of garlic (Allium sativa) can be toxic to mosquito larvae, making it an effective tool for mosquito control in breeding areas. One study, for example, found that garlic extracts were highly toxic to mosquito larvae, with up to 90% of Culex larvae dying after only 8 hours of exposure at a concentration of 50 parts per million (ppm).
11. Basil
Basil contains natural compounds such as citronellal, eugenol, and linalool, which contribute to its mosquito-repelling properties. Research has shown that essential oils derived from basil are highly effective in repelling female Aedes and Culex mosquitoes.
Knowledge means safety for you and your loved ones
The use of natural ingredients, including herbs and essential oils have started to become a common practice for a lot of brands, especially in Australia because of potential health risks associated with synthetic chemicals like DEET.
One brand that fully embraces this natural approach to insect repellents is Good Riddance. Good Riddance offers a range of DEET-free insect repellent products that harness the power of herbs and essential oils to keep insects at bay. For instance, the Good Riddance Tropical is one of the variations of their repellent that contains lemongrass oil, and the Sensitive contains lavender oil, which not only repels mosquitoes but also suitable for those with sensitive skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
So, by understanding what mosquitoes hate and taking preventive measures, you can enjoy a more mosquito-free environment and make those warm summer evenings a lot more enjoyable.