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Natural Mosquito Repellent

by Dr. Donna Schwontkowski (ret.)

Copyright 2007 Schwontkowski. Call for reprint rights.

Want to know more about how to ward off mosquitoes naturally? Sick and tired of using chemicals to protect yourself from mosquitoes? Looking for a solution other than citronella? If so, this article is for you.

There's one thing that can ruin a fun afternoon on the beach or a stroll through the park at the end of a summer day. That's a pesky mosquito. We've all been the victim of an over-zealous mosquito from time-to-time and most of us have tried at least one of the traditional mosquito or skeeter sprays. Although most of these are fairly effective at keeping the bugs at bay they can be filled with chemicals.

There's no sense to making the small insects into large monsters waiting to get to you to drink your blood. Some people feel as if they need an entire protective force set in gear against the mosquitoes, but all you need is the right knowledge of how to keep them away. That's all the protection you need, except of course, the items to keep them away. A natural mosquito repellent is typically a better choice in many ways.

Natural Remedies Always Work Best

Citronella is the best known of the natural products for mosquito control. It can be purchased in different forms including oils and candles. If you are looking for a natural mosquito repellent to use in a backyard area, a citronella candle is a great choice. It's safe to inhale and it's proven to be very effective at warding off these insects. Placing several candles around the perimeter of a seating area usually keeps the mosquitoes away.

One delicious vegetable that also seems to provide some relief is fennel. The oil derived from this licorice flavored food is a natural mosquito repellent. This product can typically be found at many of the national health food stores and it's advised that if you happen to go swimming or take a soak in a hot tub that you should reapply this natural mosquito repellent after drying off as it's not water resistant.

Other Natural Remedies that Protect You from Mosquito Bites

The natural oil from cloves can be helpful in preventing bites too. This is not yet produced in the form of a skeeter spray as a natural mosquito repellent so you'll need to buy the clove oil as it is. It does need to be diluted with water before you apply it to your skin. One nice benefit of using this approach is the fragrant smell. This natural mosquito repellant is safe to use on anyone regardless of age.

Most of us love the taste of garlic. We generally add it to sauces, roast dishes and soups. Not only does it add a burst of rich flavor but it is also a natural mosquito repellent. Don't be concerned that you have to rub garlic cloves on your skin to prevent bites. In fact, the amount of garlic you typically eat can help keep the mosquitoes away. There is one drawback to this natural mosquito repellent and that's the odor that may emanate from the individual.

Everyone's body chemistry varies so finding the right solution to keep these biting bugs away depends on several factors. The best approach is to try a natural mosquito repellent for a few days and see what type of results you enjoy. If you are still getting bitten, try another one.

Resources on Mosquito Bites and Mosquito Control

1. Find out what diseases mosquitoes can cause by biting you, what you need protection from.Mosquito Bites.
2. Article on how to protect honey bees when mosquito spray is used in your community.Mosquito Spray.
3. Find out about what happened to skeeter spray workers when the skeeter spray they used poisoned them.Skeeter Spray Tragedy