Does Mosquito Repellent Really Work?
Using certain home remedies may provide some protection from mosquito bites, but they aren’t necessarily effective. Instead, you should focus on eliminating the breeding grounds for these pests.
One of the most common methods is to clean up standing water. This can decrease the number of mosquitoes and also prevent their eggs from hatching. You can also try using a mosquito fogger to emit a mist that repels mosquitoes for hours.
Another method of avoiding mosquito bites is to wear loose-fitting clothing. You can also use a fan to help keep you cool while you’re sitting outdoors.
While not as effective as some of the other methods mentioned here, a natural bug spray is an effective way to kill mosquitoes. These products contain essential oils like peppermint and cedar. They’re also non-irritating to your skin and clothing. They’ve been tested to be effective in a variety of conditions.
The Off Clip-On is a wearable device that blows a small fog of repellent around your body. It contains metofluthrin, a repellent that’s been proven to reduce attraction to mosquitoes. It’s about as effective as DEET, the most widely used ingredient in insecticides.
The oil of lemon eucalyptus is a more effective alternative to citronella. It can be applied to your skin and clothing to repel mosquitoes for up to six hours.
The FTC has issued a warning to manufacturers of mosquito repelling technologies. The organization says some of the claims made by these companies are based on unfounded science.