It looks as if each summer time I’m crossing my fingers that my non poisonous mosquito spray gained’t fail me. All I need is to get pleasure from a number of post-sunset actions, like sitting round a campfire, enjoying a sport of pickleball or watching fireworks, with out waking as much as pink marks and relentless itching the following morning.
Fortunately, I’ve discovered a few mosquito sprays that supply an honest quantity of safety. Would I’m going right into a mosquito infested space with these non-toxic mosquito sprays and hope to come back out unscathed, no, however I might really feel comfy sitting round a campfire for an hour, possibly two.
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Energetic Components in Mosquito Sprays
Most mosquito sprays are thought of pesticides and are required to register with the EPA earlier than going to market. Nevertheless, important oils aren’t required to register with the EPA and due to this fact not regulated by the EPA.
Whereas they’ll select to register with the EPA, most corporations that promote important oil based mostly repellents select to not on account of value and different components.
The lively components listed under are all registered with the EPA.
1. DEET – an efficient, however probably dangerous ingredient, that may trigger allergic reactions, pores and skin irritation, complications, and in concentrations over 30% is poisonous to the central nervous system.1
Whereas it’s thought of protected and solely barely poisonous when correctly utilized, it’s not one thing I might use, until I used to be attempting to guard myself from malaria or in a tick-ridden space!2
2. Picardin – an artificial chemical developed by Bayer and made accessible within the U.S. in 2005 is derived from piperidine, a chemical that happens naturally in sure pepper crops. Picaridin is taken into account to be second solely to DEET in its efficacy, nevertheless it does have the potential to trigger pores and skin irritation.3,4
3. IR3535 – an artificial chemical that’s efficient at repelling ticks. It may be irritating to the eyes and also can hurt plastic like DEET.
4. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) – whereas not utterly pure, OLE is a naturally derived substance from the plant, Corymbia citriodor. It’s categorized as a biopesticide by the EPA and regarded safer than deet-containing merchandise. PMD or p-Menthane-3,8-diol is likely one of the key components in making OLE efficient at repelling mosquitos.5,6
5. Para-menthane-diol (PMD) – PMD is the primary part of OLE. It’s efficient, however artificial, though it’s derived from Corymbia citriodora. Some adversarial results have been related to topical absorption, notably in pregnant ladies and infants. 7
6. 2-undecanone – this tomato-derived ingredient is taken into account to be much less efficient in comparison with DEET, Picaridin, and OLE, nevertheless it’s additionally thought of safer. Nevertheless, it isn’t in very many repellents but.8
What about important oils?
Whereas important oils can supply efficient safety towards mosquitos, it’s normally short-lived. Important oils are terpenes which evaporate shortly until paired with a service oil.
In line with the Journal of Nature, “Safety occasions of longer than 100 min had been recorded for each mosquitos and ticks, after the appliance of 10% lotion emulsions containing both cinnamon oil or clove oil.”9
The one pure repellent that’s registered with the U.S. Environmental Safety Company (EPA) is Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
In line with a 2016 research, this oil solely falls wanting DEET and Picaridin in its capacity to repel mosquitos. It’s additionally advisable by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).10
Citronella which accommodates citronellal, citronellol, geraniol, citral, α pinene, and limonene, may be efficient when blended with a big molecule like vanillin in a focus of 5%.
Most important oils together with: thyme oil, geraniol, peppermint oil, cedar oil, patchouli and clove are efficient, nonetheless they’re additionally risky. This makes them poor mosquito repellents until they’re rigorously formulated with the precise oils to enhance longevity.11
Components to Keep away from in Mosquito Sprays
Whereas there could also be components you wish to keep away from, sadly, producers of EPA-registered repellents aren’t required to reveal the entire components. The EPA’s job is to guarantee that the lively components in a product are protected and efficient however not all the formulation.
In addition to avoiding lively components equivalent to DEET, Picardin, and IR3535, you may additionally wish to keep away from inactive components equivalent to solvents, preservatives, and artificial fragrances as nicely.
One other group of lively components to be careful for are Pyrethroids – Prallethrin, Permethrin, Cyfluthrin to call a number of. These are artificial pesticides with permethrin being some of the broadly used. They’ve the potential to hurt the central nervous system on account of the truth that they’ll cross the blood-brain barrier.
Different Methods to Defend Your self
1. Clothes
Put on unfastened becoming lengthy sleeves, lengthy pants, socks, and closed toed sneakers. Free becoming clothes prevents warmth from increase and attracting mosquitos.
2. Yard Spray
Mow the garden steadily and take away brush, leaf litter, and stagnant water.
You may additionally wish to use a product like Mosquito Deleto Bug Management Spray & Repellent from Sunday Garden Care that may kill mosquitos, fleas, and ticks.
You don’t must apply it to your entire garden, however designate an space and spray steadily to maintain the mosquitos away.
3. Keep away from sure occasions of the day. Keep away from going exterior at daybreak or nightfall.
4. Different efficient merchandise
Use a fan to blow away your scent so mosquitos can’t discover you!
When you’re going to be on a porch or deck, you may change your incandescent bulbs with yellow LED lights which are much less of a calling card for mosquitos.
Associated Content material: Sunday Garden Care Evaluate
Non Poisonous Mosquito Sprays
**My VA who lives within the Midwest, which is thought for its mosquitos, examined out the non poisonous bug sprays**
Nantucket Spider
This pure bug repellent makes use of a mix of natural important oils to repel mosquitos and biting flies. Nantucket Spider accommodates a number of important oils as a result of completely different oils repel completely different bugs. This repellent is protected for all ages and doesn’t have an awesome odor.
Energetic Components
Cedarwood Oil (1%), Citronella Oil (1%), Clove Oil (1%), Geranium Oil (1%), Lemongrass Oil (1%), Peppermint Oil (1%), Rosemary Oil (1%), Spearmint Oil (1%).
Inactive Components
Distilled Water and Vegetable Glycerin (92%)
Value
$6.99 – 2oz
$11.50 – 4oz
$15.99 – 8oz
$24.99 – 16oz
Evaluate
My husband and I examined this spray out on an evening that we had a bonfire. Sadly, it didn’t do something to maintain the bugs away for both of us. We had been reaching for different choices and don’t advocate this as an possibility for a non poisonous bug spray.
Kinfield Golden Hour
This bug repellent is a clear formulation that makes use of a pressure of Indonesian citronella to struggle off mosquitos. Kinfield Golden Hour has been independently examined towards Aedes Aegypti mosquitos for 3+ hours of safety. It’s protected for kids 6 months and up so long as an grownup applies it based on the instructions. Many individuals love the vanilla scent of this repellent.
Energetic Components
Citronella Oil (10.00%)
Lemongrass Oil (1.00%)
Clove Oil (0.01%)
Inactive Components
(88.99%): Isopropyl Alcohol, Lauric Acid, Water, Vanillin
Value
$22.00
Evaluate
Each my husband and I examined this one. He didn’t discover it labored for him. He’s undoubtedly one which tends to draw bugs greater than I do. And, I’ll say that I believed this one was respectable. It additionally had a vanilla scent to it which I favored, however my husband did point out it was a little bit too robust for him. I might advocate this one for those who don’t appear to draw bugs as simply or when you stay in a much less buggy space.
Primally Pure Nature Spray
Primally Pure Nature Spray makes use of components equivalent to Citronella, Cedarwood, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Geranium, and Peppermint important oils to naturally maintain bugs away. It’s efficient towards ants, ticks and different bugs. It’s not advisable for youths below 1 years previous.
Energetic Components
Important Oils of Citronella* (4%), Cedarwood^ (2%), Lemongrass* (2%), Rosemary* (1.5%), Geranium* (1%), Peppermint* (1%)
*Natural ^Wild-crafted
Inactive Components
Witch Hazel*, Fractionated Coconut Oil*, Castor Oil*, Wintergreen^, Grape Alcohol*
Value
$22.00 – 2.5oz
$34.00 – 4oz
Evaluate
This spray didn’t appear to work for both of us. The oils they use in it appeared to go away my pores and skin feeling greasy after software. This may be a superb possibility if you’re in a much less buggy space, however with our location within the Midwest and close to water sources, I gained’t use it once more.
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Babyganics Pure Insect Repellent
This pure repellent makes use of a mix of plant and important oils from citronella, peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass and geranium to guard the household from mosquitos. Nevertheless, as you’ll word under, this repellent additionally accommodates soybean oil which isn’t good.
Energetic Components
Rosemary oil (1.5%), Citronella oil (0.95%), Geranium oil (0.75%), Cedarwood oil (0.70%), Peppermint oil (0.60%), Lemon grass oil (0.25%)
Inactive Components
Soybean oil (95.25%)
Value
2 oz – $5.49
6 oz – $10.99
8 oz – $14.29
Evaluate
This insect repellant makes use of soybean oil- which I don’t love. It undoubtedly feels oily if you apply it. I examined it years in the past and it seems to be just like the formulation is identical as then. It didn’t work nicely for me or my household. I don’t advocate it.
Younger Dwelling Insect Repellent
This bug repellent makes use of important oils equivalent to Citronella, Lemongrass, and Rosemary which were studied for his or her bug-repellent properties. It additionally contains 1% vitamin E to moisturize and situation pores and skin.
Energetic Components
Sesame seed oil (89%), Citronella leaf oil (6.5%), Lemongrass leaf oil (1.15%), Rosemary leaf oil (1%), Geranium oil (.5%), Spearmint) leaf oil (.35%), Thyme oil (.25%), Clove oil (.25%)
Inactive Components
Vitamin E (1%)
Value
$57.24
Evaluate
I examined this insect repellent a number of years in the past. It actually didn’t do a lot so far as repelling mosquitos. I attempted once more and had the identical outcomes. I talked to others which have used it they usually agreed. Plus, it’s a extra spendy possibility.
Bug Protection Wipes
These handy and pure Bug Protection Wipes use citronella, peppermint, and rosemary to successfully repel mosquitos and different bugs.
Energetic Components
Citronella Oil (.5%), Peppermint Oil (.5%), Rosemary Oil (.05%), Thyme Oil (.05%)
Inactive Components
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate (98.9%)
Value
$14.95
Evaluate
This was one other no go for us. We examined out and truthfully the mosquitos aren’t that dangerous proper now in comparison with earlier within the yr. And, it didn’t appear to assist in any respect with these or the gnats that we now have. So, I undoubtedly wouldn’t decide to make use of throughout our peak bug season.
Murphy’s Spray
This pure repellent makes use of the botanical ingredient, oil of lemon eucalyptus, acknowledged by the CDC to offer safety towards mosquitos and ticks for hours. Murphy’s Spray is protected for all ages.
Energetic Components
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (30%)
Inactive Components
Deionized Water, Corn Ethanol (70%)
Value
2 oz – $5.99
4 oz – $9.99
Evaluate
This one has a STRONG scent to it. So, be ready. However, I’m so keen on re-testing this one subsequent yr throughout our peak mosquito time. It did an amazing job with maintaining the gnats away and what we now have left of mosquitos. So, I can be maintaining this one round to strive once more subsequent yr. Once more, my husband didn’t have the identical luck I had. However he did say it labored higher than different non poisonous manufacturers he has tried.
Conclusion: Are pure and non poisonous mosquito sprays efficient?
Sadly, pure and efficient don’t all the time go hand-in-hand in terms of mosquito sprays. Nevertheless, that’s to not say that ALL non-toxic mosquito sprays don’t work, however you’re restricted in your choices. I might undoubtedly give the Kinfield Golden Hour a strive or the Murphy’s Spray and see in the event that they be just right for you. Let’s not overlook that unfastened becoming garments also can go a good distance in defending you from mosquitos!
Do you utilize a non poisonous mosquito spray that’s efficient? Please share under!
When you favored this put up, try these previous posts:
Sources
- Facilities for Illness Management (2017) Toxicological Profile for DEET
- U.S. Environmental Safety Company (1998) Pesticides Truth Sheet for DEET
- Nationwide Pesticide Data Heart (2009) Picardin Common Truth Sheet
- Client Experiences (2024) How Properly Do Picaridin Insect Repellents Work?
- Client Experiences (2022) What’s actually in your insect repellent?
- BioMed Analysis Worldwide (2018) Important Oils as Repellents towards Arthropods
- Journal of the American Mosquito Management Affiliation (2006) PMD, a Registered Botanical Mosquito Repellent with Deet-Like Efficacy
- Journal of Inclusion of Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry (2008) Launch traits of the non-toxic insect repellant 2-undecanone from its crystalline inclusion compound with α-cyclodextrin
- Scientific Experiences (2023) Repellent efficacy of 20 important oils on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and Ixodes scapularis ticks in contact-repellency assays
- Pharmacotherapy (2016) EPA-Registered Repellents for Mosquitoes Transmitting Rising Viral Illness
- Malaria Journal (2011) Plant-based insect repellents: a assessment of their efficacy, growth and testing.
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