If you are like most people you probably use mosquito repellents to avoid the itchy bites from these bugs. Most of these commercial preparations have plenty of hazardous chemicals which can cause damaging side effects if consumed or taken into the skin. For that reason you may prefer a natural mosquito repellent to avoid insect bites. You may have heard that you can take a vitamin and be mosquito free.
So what is this vitamin that deters mosquitoes and can you make your own natural insect repellent at home? Read on and all will be revealed.
Homemade repellents are far better, as they are safe, and still an efficient, way to protect yourself and your household from mosquitoes.
Do Mosquitoes Just Love You?
It appears that the primary offenders for attracting mosquitoes are certain odours.
People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface are more vulnerable to mosquitoes, and also those who produce particular acids, such as uric acid, in higher quantities.
These substances seem to be the odour that mosquitoes love and lead them to a certain person.
According to researchers, individuals who produce larger quantities of CO2, like overweight people and pregnant females, bring in mosquitoes the most.
Also you give off more CO2 when outside exercising than you would if you were sitting by a fire. The bites of these bugs are not just irritating and scratchy; mosquitoes also carry diseases, and can spread them to you, such as:
- Malaria- results in fever, chills, and throwing up
- Jamestown Canyon Virus- triggers flu-like symptoms
- West Nile- manifested by joint discomfort, rashes, fever, throwing up
- Zika- associated with birth defects
- Snowshoe Hare Infection- causes rashes, dizziness, throwing up
- Dengue- triggers hemorrhagic fever
- Chikungunya- leads to rashes, joint discomfort, and queasiness
- La Crosse Encephalitis- causes fever and nausea
- Rift Valley Fever- results in eye damage, dizziness, weakness
- Yellow Fever- triggers jaundice, chills, and throwing up
With some of these diseases there is also a risk of death.
There are over 175 recognized types of mosquitoes, so it makes sense to prevent getting bitten if you can.
Vitamin B1 As Natural Mosquito Repellent
Vitamin B1 (thiamine), is a water-soluble vitamin required for the correct functioning of the body. It can successfully boost the body’s immune system.
This vitamin can be discovered in foods such as kale, cabbage, broccoli, onions, spinach, green beans, summer squash, eggplant, and sunflower seeds. It is also present in Marmite, love it or hate it! Personally I love it but mosquitoes hate it. You could of course take a vitamin tablet.
If in high amounts in the body, this vitamin will produce a “yeasty” smell to mosquitoes, and they will no longer be attracted to you.
Natural Insect Repellent To Make At Home
The following homemade bug spray consists of just two components, natural apple cider vinegar, and fresh parsley. This is how to prepare it:
In a mortar and pestle, add a handful of fresh parsley, and 4 oz of apple cider vinegar. Mash the components and leave the mixture to steep for a couple of hours.
Then, pound it again and put the mixture into a spray bottle. If you like, you can include a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to give the spray a pleasant aroma. adding a few drops of vanilla essence will also boost the repellent effect.
Spray everything over the body, as it is completely safe and triggers no side effects. You can keep the homemade spray in the fridge for continued use.
If you like to look for natural cures before resorting to chemicals, you may like this book.
Other Precautions To Avoid Insect Bites
There are other things you can do to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. Prevention is definitely better than cure. Mosquitoes are most active when the sun goes down. It is especially important to be vigilant in the evenings and at night.
When you go out in the evenings you should wear long sleeved tops and long trousers. The less flesh you have available the better.
You can buy a mosquito net to suspend over your bed. It is possible to get mosquito coils to burn to deter the little perishers. If you are not keen on the chemical ones you can try citronella candles.
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It may not be possible to be mosquito free all summer but these tips can certainly help. Take the recommended vitamin as a natural mosquito repellent, use a repellent spray, take sensible precautions and have a stress free summer.
