Studies have shown that the scent of dryer sheets is not strong enough to deter mosquitoes for a long period of time, and they may even attract other insects.
Other university studies demonstrate the effectiveness of dryer sheets to repel certain insects, including mites, food-infesting beetles, German cockroaches and weevils. These studies, however, do not show any significant impact as a mosquito repellent.
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is a natural insecticide that the CDC has approved. Lemongrass, lemon balm, and peppermint can be sprayed on your skin to keep mosquitoes at bay. Other essential oils that can be used to repel mosquitoes include citronella, rosemary, and lavender.
I think your best bet though would be to buy both the Jungle Juice and Permethrin spray. The Jungle Juice for your skin, and Permethrin spray for your clothes for longer lasting protection. And as a bonus, you can spray your clothes before you travel so you don't have to bring the stuff with you or worry about it.
Mosquitoes hate the smell of lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, basil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary. They also hate smells such as smoke, for further insight, see our exploration on, does smoke keep mosquitoes away.
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.
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.
Which repellent works best? N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) remains the standard by which all other repellents are judged. DEET was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was registered for use by the general public in 1957. It is effective against mosquitoes, biting flies, chiggers, fleas, and ticks.
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion
Another top-selling mosquito repellent lotion is Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion from 3M. This lotion contains about 34% DEET to repel not only mosquitoes, but biting flies, chiggers, deer flies, ticks, gnats, and fleas.
Pack insect repellent and protective clothing. Look for lodging with screens or air conditioning or pack a mosquito net. If traveling abroad, find out if vaccines for mosquito-borne diseases are available. After your trip, watch for symptoms and prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks.
Blood Types Mosquitoes Love Most
Type B: Type B placed second in popularity. Type A: Type A Blood Type apparently tastes the worst to mosquitoes. The study found that those with Blood Type A are 50% less likely to receive a mosquito bite than those with Type O.
Yes: DEET. A repellent with DEET tells mosquitos to buzz off loud and clear. You'll need one with at least 20% DEET to protect your skin for several hours at a time, although more than 50% doesn't work any better (kids should use 10%-30%).
What are dryer sheets for? Dryer sheets work by reducing static, depositing scents and helping make laundry feel softer to the touch. One of the key benefits of dryer sheets is that the ingredients in them help to combat, neutralize and fight the effects of built-up static in most fabrics.
Put some type of insect repellent on your body.
This is the most common method people will try to repel mosquitoes away from them. You can find your typical bug spray that contains DEET at most stores, and this method works fairly well.
taking Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B12 supplements. eating garlic or yeast extracts, or applying them to your skin. using bath oils and skin softeners.
Things like your blood type and how much lactic acid you have on your skin play a big role. In the past, popular wisdom suggested wearing perfume, eating salty snacks or foods with potassium, such as bananas, increased your risk of mosquito bites.
Essential oils. While essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and peppermint are popularly recommended for DIY bed bug treatments due to their strong scents and supposed insect-repellent properties, there is not much scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in eradicating bed bug infestations.
Freshening up before bedtime, including showering and changing clothes, reduces scents and skin exposure that attract mosquitoes. Employing physical barriers like mosquito nets and window screens can prevent mosquitoes from entering sleeping areas.
Studies have shown that the scent of dryer sheets is not strong enough to deter mosquitoes for a long period of time, and they may even attract other insects.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is the most potent natural mosquito repellent. A DEET-free alternative to commercial mosquito repellent, oil of lemon eucalyptus is the only natural insect repellent recommended by both the EPA and CDC.
Can vinegar keep mosquitoes away? Vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar, has a strong scent that repels mosquitoes. Creating and spraying a vinegar solution or placing vinegar-soaked cotton balls around your outdoor area can help keep mosquitoes away.