Herbal Mosquito Repellants

08/05/2009
Are you concerned about the effects of chemical mosquito repellants on your health? Do products which contain DEET (diethyl toulemide) give members of your family skin rashes, blisters, or dizzyness? Are you interested in saving money by using natural ways of keeping mosquitoes away? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may be interested in the following information.

Common garden herbs are excellent mosquito repellants. Basil, citronella, fennel, peppermint, pennyroyal and thyme have all been shown to be effective. Moreover, recent research has shown that catnip and eucalyptus leaves are extremely powerful repellants, even stronger than commercial chemical preparations. Rubbing the fresh leaves of any of these herbs on your skin or clothing can provide protection up to 90 minutes. Alternatively, you can make your own repellant by soaking cuttings from one of these fresh herbs in rubbing alcohol at room temperature for 12 hours, straining out the herbs, and bottling the alcohol. (One part cut herbs with three parts of alcohol is a good proportion to provide an effective solution.)

Catnip, fennel, peppermint, pennyroyal and thyme are all freeze hardy perennials in northern Virginia, and are easily found for the home garden. Savvy gardeners understand that many of the culinary herbs which grow in their garden have multiple uses, and keeping mosquitoes away is an extremely beneficial (and cost effective) use of these herbs in late summer.