DEET: Not An All Natural Mosquito Repellent
For nearly 70 years Americans have been relying on products containing the pesticide DEET to repel mosquitoes. But many are questioning the wisdom of applying a pesticide directly to their skin, let alone to a 2-month old baby's skin.
Scientists are still arguing about how or why it works. A recent study by a neurobiologist at Rockefeller University in New York suggests that DEET confuses insects by jamming their odor recepters. So insects get too confused to find their target.
Still another study by chemical ecologists at the University of California claims that the insects actually don't like the smell of DEET. Funny, most people don't either.
Concerns with DEET revolve around
its effect on the central nervous system.
While the CDC still recommends using mosquito repellent with the pesticide DEET and other harsh chemicals, sometimes the cure is as bad if not worse than the disease.
Repeated and continuous exposure to DEET has actually been associated with severe headaches, memory loss, pervasive weakness, muscle and joint pains, tremors and shortness of breath in people and is particularly detrimental to children.
DEET was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 for protection of soldiers in tropical insect infested areas. Estimates show that approximately 30% of the U.S. population uses products that contain DEET every year.
Enter Botanical Oils
As the data for negative consequences continues to mount, concerned outdoor enthusiasts seek more natural solutions. Interestingly, many of the all natural mosquito repellents have strong odors as well. There's two leading ways to repel mosquitoes naturally: botanical oils or plants that have repellent properties.
One very effective all natural mosquito repellent for outdoor use is Garden Scentry, a product by Natures's Lawn & Garden Inc. that is made with botanical oils.
It contains 4 botanical oils: garlic, cinnamon, castor, and cedar. The strong garlic-cinnamon aroma is barely noticeable to humans hours after application, but it repels mosquitoes and other insects for weeks if not diluted by heavy rains.
According to Nature's Lawn, "The key to getting good results with this organic insect repellant is to build up a Garden Scentry presence in the yard and soil before insects invade."
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Plants That Repel Mosquitoes
What could be more all natural than using fragrant plants for mosquito repellent? Lemon Eucalyptus, most of the mint family of herbs, basil, lavender, garlic, and citronella all act as effect natural mosquito deterrants. The more fragrant, the better. But then that's a subject for another post -- stay tuned!
Quite honestly, a little variety in your arsenal of mosquito repellent techniques is probably a good approach. There are many varieties of mosquitoes, and one solution may be more effective against one variety than another.