Is There a Pill You Can Take to Repousse Mosquitoes?
WouterSeveral studies have looked into the effectiveness of vitamin B1 as a mosquito repellent. Some have found that the supplement does not work, but others have argued that it does. However, there is not much data to support any claim.
Vitamin B1 is an essential nutrient for humans, but the presence of thiamine does not appear to be a major factor in mosquito attraction.
The CDC recommends that people use safe bug sprays. Some products are available without a prescription. They include DEET, which is short for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. These sprays are effective against biting flies and fleas.
In the midst of the current outbreak of Zika in Brazil, doctors are concerned about the effects on newborns. The virus once seemed like a mild flu-like illness, but it has now been linked to severe birth defects.
Some research has shown that citrus-based compounds, such as citronella oil, can be a natural bug repellent. A 2015 study compared eight commercial mosquito repellents. The results showed that products containing lemon eucalyptus oil were as effective as those containing DEET.
In addition, a recent study found that mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors, such as blue and green, rather than lighter shades. The study was conducted by researchers at New Mexico State University.
Other studies have not been as rigorous, but they have also failed to find a strong effect at any dose. During a recent study, a vitamin B patch did not have any effect on mosquito attraction.
