Mosquito repellent lotions, sprays and creams are a sure-fire and safe way to prevent mosquito bites – if you choose wisely and apply liberally.
Topical insect repellents that contain DEET or picaridin provide the best protection. Formulations that contain plant-based ingredients (such as tea tree oil) will provide some protection but you’ll generally need to apply these formulations far more frequently.
Regardless of a repellent’s ingredients, putting a dab “here and there” is ineffective. You need full coverage. Any gaps will give the green light to blood-thirsty mozzies to attack.
Smearing sticky, smelly repellent is often the last thing you want to do on hot and humid evenings. So entrepreneurs have started manufacturing wrist bands, bracelets and patches that purport to repel mosquitoes without the mess.
But don’t ditch the repellents just yet. While slipping on a wrist band or sticking on a patch may be an attractive alternative, when tested, they’re typically shown to be the least effective of the commercially available repellents.
What repels mozzies?
When mosquitoes are searching for a blood meal, they’ll home in on the carbon dioxide we exhale and then respond to the smelly co*cktail of chemicals and microbes on our skin. That’s why some people are bitten by mosquitoes more than others.
When there’s insect repellent on your skin, the mosquitoes are either repelled by the unpleasantness of the odours or they’re confused and lose their appetite for blood.
A small number of wrist bands, bracelets and patches are registered in Australia as mosquito repellents. These are infused with botanical products such as citronella or peppermint oil. The vapour released purportedly keeps mosquitoes away.
Wrist bands containing botanical products provide very little protection. While topical formulations containing plant extracts may repel some mosquitoes, the vapours released from these wrist bands just aren’t strong enough to block mosquito bites.
One detailed study using wrist bands infused with botanical extracts found there was a reduction in biting mosquitoes, but only for a few centimetres either side of the band. Wearing a wrist band won’t provide “whole body” protection.
Laboratory studies have shown that wrist bands impregnated with DEET provide some protection against mosquitoes. But a key selling point of wrist bands and patches containing botanical extracts is that they’re an alternative to DEET. They’re primarily marketed to those looking for a “natural” alternative.
Patches containing vitamin B1 offer no protection.
What about mosquito repellent clothing?
An ever-increasing range of “mosquito repellent” clothing is available in camping, adventure and fishing stores. These items are typically made from material pre-treated with insecticides such as permethrin.
Insecticides are commonly applied to bed nets and they’ve proven effective in reducing malaria prevalence in some regions.
There is growing evidence that these products can provide some protection from biting insects.
The problem is, they may stop a mosquito biting through your shirt but they’re unlikely to stop mosquitoes biting exposed areas of skin.
After washing, any protection offered by these clothes is likely to fade.
The dream of ditching topical repellents hasn’t arrived
It’s a hassle applying topical repellents, especially to children. There is also often a misplaced perception that “chemical repellents” are a health risk.
Despite the evidence that wrist bands and patches provide little, if any, protection from biting mosquitoes, there is clearly demand from the public for alternatives to topical repellents.
A recent crowd-funding venture for a mosquito repellent patch raised more than US$500,000 without any scientific studies published to back up their claims.
Many are in love with the dream and health authorities need to address this in their health messages. But, for now at least, nothing works as well as topical repellents, especially those containing either DEET or picaridin, in beating the bite of mosquitoes.
FAQs
The vapour released purportedly keeps mosquitoes away. Wrist bands containing botanical products provide very little protection. While topical formulations containing plant extracts may repel some mosquitoes, the vapours released from these wrist bands just aren't strong enough to block mosquito bites.
Do mosquito repellent wrist bands really work? ›
They're often marketed as providing “natural” protection from mosquitoes. But unfortunately, they aren't a reliable way to prevent mosquito bites.
What is the best thing to wear to repel mosquitoes? ›
White and khaki will work best for not only avoiding flying biters, but also for keeping you cool and stylish. Treat with DEET : For even more protection, consider treating your loose-fitting shirts and pants with a repellent, preferably one that contains DEET.
Is there anything that actually works for mosquitoes? ›
DEET: Potent, But Safe
One of the most effective mosquito repellents is one of the oldest around.
What's the best thing to keep mosquitoes away from you? ›
You can find your typical bug spray that contains DEET at most stores, and this method works fairly well. However, if you'd like to go a more natural route, there are essential oils with scents that are known to repel mosquitoes, such as rosemary, thyme, lavender and peppermint.
What is the best mosquito repellent for humans? ›
10 Best Mosquito Repellent So You Can Actually Enjoy the Outdoors
- Madison James Flyaway Sticks, Pack of 40. ...
- Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent. ...
- Thermacell Patio Shield E-Series Rechargeable Repeller. ...
- Murphy's Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent Spray. ...
- Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets.
How long do Mosquito Guard repellent bands last? They're additionally totally compound free. Every arm band is imbued with geraniol, lemongrass, and citronella medicinal oils. The groups are waterproof and every arm band endures as long as 250 hours (10 days).
What is the thing mosquitoes hate the most? ›
Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents, including citronella, peppermint, cedar, catnip, patchouli, lemongrass, lavender and more. You can add some of these plants to your landscaping to fend them off.
What keeps mosquitoes from biting you? ›
Take steps to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites that can make you sick. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin.
What deodorant do mosquitoes hate? ›
A study in Nature found that a compound in deodorants (isopropyl tetradecanoate) repelled mosquitoes by preventing them from landing on the surface coated in deodorant. In fact, there was a 56% decrease in the number of mosquito landings. Imagine how many fewer bites that could lead to.
We may be fans of Vicks, but insects decidedly are not. Dab a bit on your arms, legs, neck, or other areas of exposed skin to keep bugs (including mosquitoes) at bay, however, it is not as effective at preventing bites as a commercial insect repellant.
What to eat to repel mosquitos? ›
What to Eat
- Garlic and Onions. How it works: Garlic is perhaps the most well-known food linked to deterring mosquitoes. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. How it works: Apple cider vinegar has been a commonly used natural mosquito repellent for many years. ...
- Lemongrass. ...
- Chili Peppers. ...
- Tomatoes. ...
- Grapefruit. ...
- Beans and Lentils.
For a "foolproof recipe" that banishes mosquitoes, combine 1/3 cup witch hazel and 1/3 cup water with 40 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. "Mosquitoes detest the strong aroma of eucalyptus, so this easy homemade mosquito repellent is sure to be a winner," says Harlow-Ellis.
Do mosquito bracelets really work? ›
Wrist bands containing botanical products provide very little protection. While topical formulations containing plant extracts may repel some mosquitoes, the vapours released from these wrist bands just aren't strong enough to block mosquito bites.
What scent keeps mosquitoes off of you? ›
PEPPERMINT
Minty fragrances are unpleasant to a mosquito's keen senses. The mere presence of peppermint plants can ward off these pesky flying insects to some degree. You can also turn peppermint into a personal repellent by crushing the leaves and rubbing them on your skin.
What is the quickest way to get rid of mosquitoes? ›
- Install Bugproof Barriers. Gangloff-Kaufmann advises using fine mesh screens in all open windows and doors. ...
- Eliminate Standing Water. ...
- Keep Your Yard Neat. ...
- Use Fans. ...
- Dress Appropriately. ...
- Use an Effective Mosquito Repellent.
When possible, wear clothing with long sleeves, trousers, skirts and dresses, socks and shoes to stop mosquitoes biting your skin. Permethrin (an insecticide) treated clothing and bed nets provide additional protection against biting mosquitoes.
Do ultrasonic mosquito bands work? ›
Ultrasonic repellent devices don't work. These come as electrical plug-ins, free-standing varieties or watchlike accessories that claim to emit a high-frequency sound that deters mosquitoes by mimicking bats. However, in scientific studies, ultrasonic repellent devices fail to repel mosquitoes.
Do bug bam mosquito bands work? ›
Hospitals Brace for Zika
Joe Conlon, technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association, comprised of scientists and mosquito control professionals, called the bracelets "pretty much useless" in protecting against mosquitoes.
Do mosquito rings work? ›
Mosquito coils are a repellant, which works by discouraging mosquitoes from hanging around but does not kill them or their larvae. Repellants are only deterrents and do not guarantee that your outdoor space will be fully protected.
