Find out more about the Most Effective Mosquito Repellents
This spring at the cabin it has been so wet and our summer hasn’t started out much better. We really do need the moisture though after the forest fires from the last two years but the mosquito population is now at an all time high.
On a good note the wet weather has grown the largest wild strawberries I’ve seen, but to get out picking without being attacked by the mosquitos is the biggest challenge this year.
I make my own deet free mosquito repellent spray which works really well, but this year we have to reapply more often and have also looked at other alternatives so we can spend some time outdoors without the constant attack of mosquitos.
I have found that using our spray when out and about works the best, and found another great product for around the deck.
We had a birthday party a few weeks ago and I was amazed at how well this product worked in keeping the bugs away. I believe it’s a relatively new product Thermacell.
Other things we have use are the mosquito zappers and at the house in town the electric mosquito zappers.
As for those sprays, most people reach for the most popular insect repellents, which usually contain the pesticide DEET.
While these insect repellents are effective for most people, they can also cause harmful side effects, especially when used on young children.
The Deet Free Insect Repellent that I made, I had been selling at the local Farmer’s Market along with my soap, but had to quit due the requirements from Health Canada which were far too expensive for a small home based business. There were a handful of people in our area that were told to stop producing and making natural repellent by Health Canada. I was one of those.
I still make my spray for family, and myself but cannot sell it to anyone.
Harmful Side Effects of Mosquito Spray Containing DEET
Mohamed Abou-Donia, a pharmacologist at the Duke University Medical Center has studied the effects of DEET containing mosquito spray for the past 30 years. According to the Duke University Medical Center News Office, he has found that the chemical repellent can cause changes in the brain, especially when exposure is prolonged.
These changes include muscle weakness, problems with coordination, walking, memory and cognition. Younger children are more susceptible to the effects of the chemical, needing less exposure time to suffer the deleterious neurological effects. DEET containing products should never be used on an infant.
Abou-Donia also found that exposure to DEET alone causes less damage than exposure to DEET and other chemicals simultaneously. People who take prescription medications while using bug repellent that contain DEET could be at greater risk for neurological changes.
Benefits of Natural Insect Repellent
Natural repellents are a great alternative to repellents containing DEET, some of them can be just as effective without the harmful side effects and they don’t contain artificial ingredients such as fragrances or preservatives. For people who have skin sensitivities this is a real benefit.
Most DEET free insect repellents don’t smell like bug spray. In fact, natural repellents that contain essential oils such as lemongrass, and eucalyptus have a pleasant scent that can have a relaxing effect on you and those around you.
Bug repellent that is DEET free is also typically less expensive than their DEET containing counterparts. Because they are nontoxic, they can be used on you, your pets, in your home and even in your garden. This can help alleviate the cost of various expensive insecticides.
DEET free insect repellent also protects against other pests such as ticks and fleas. They are much safer to use on pets than typical commercial flea treatments and are just as effective. For pets with skin sensitivities or allergies that cannot use commercial flea treatments, natural insect repellent can be a lifesaver.
Ingredients Used in Natural Insect Repellent
Common ingredients found in DEET free insect repellents could be a combination of essential oils to produce the desired effect such as Lemongrass, citronella and eucalyptus which are potent insect repellents that mosquitoes, ticks and fleas despise.
Lemongrass repels fleas, ticks, lice and mosquitoes. Citronella is well known for its ability to repel mosquitoes and is typically added to candles for this purpose. Eucalyptus repels mosquitoes as well as no-see-ums, fleas, sandflies and other biting pests. When put together, these three essential oils provide complete protection that will last for several hours.
Mosquito Repellents for your Patio or Outdoor Living Space
Thermacell Patio
Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller (Green)
The Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller is the one we use on our deck. It doesn’t require electricity and really does effectively repels mosquitoes, and as the Thermacell claims to create a 15-foot zone of protection I find this to be true.
This product is compact and easy-to-use, and I can say it really did keep the mosquitos away from biting us and our guests. It is also a very reasonably priced product.
This products are so popular that they are often sold out. We find all the Themacell products work well. We have the one pictured below as well and it is great…so if the one above is not available check this one out.
Thermacell Mosquito Protection Lantern – Cambridge Patio Lantern
The Electric Bug Zapper
Fly Mosquito Killer,Electric Bug Zapper – Insect Eliminator or Flying Bug Trap Weather Resistant Electronic Lamp for Indoor and Outdoor Patio
This device can be used indoors or out, I have two of these hanging outside my house, one on each end. They are great for flies as well as other flying insects as well. With the high frequency purple light it lures flying insects by day or night and zaps them as they come in contact with the electonically charged metal grid.
Mosquito Netting and Hats
Outdoor Anti-Mosquito Mask Hat with Head Net Mesh Face Protection from Insect Bug Bee Mosquito Gnats
Another way to help from getting bit when working outside is to wear a mosquito net hat. I usually wear one of these when mowing the tall grass, those pesty mosquitos just love to lay wait in that tall grass.
We have some neighbors that live remote close to a lake and have found the mosquitos get into their cabin via the stove pipe. We have not had this problem but to solve the night bites they cover their bed with a mosquito netting. Here is what they recommend for the best bed canopy mosquito net.
Insect Repellent Clothing
I just bought my first Insect Repellent Shirt and I can’t believe how well it worked. I put it on when out on the ride on lawnmower and did it ever make a big difference out on the off grid property. This property has been swarming with mosquitos and our Thermocells have been working overtime. They are wonderful, but it’s hard to take them on the mower so I was told about this clothing and I am impressed.
Solstice Apparel Women’s Insect Repellent Long Sleeve Shirt, Cirrus Blue, Large
Solstice Apparel Women’s Insect Repellent Convertible Pants, Stone, Large
Solstice Apparel Men’s Insect Repellent Long Sleeve Shirt, Blue Streak, Medium
Off the grid living is not without its challenges, apparently. Sorry that you can’t sell your mix of mosquito repellant. That symbolic of how new better products and ideas are not supported at all levels.
I checked out your recommended mosquito repellant, and it is sold out, they don’t know when it will be back. Did you do that for them? Push that many sales through? We have Texas-sized mosquitos in our part of the world, and being our would be more comfortable with some help. Certainly a better option than lighting up a cigar! At least for me. Your survival story about living off the grid would be interesting. Do you just eat wild strawberries fresh? Or do you make jams? Interesting read.
That’s too bad that the ones I recommended are sold out. It’s been a bad year for mosquitos. We also have a couple other thermocells that work well. Here is a link to one of them Thermocell Lattern They work well and are very reasonably priced.
I just bought two of them for my Aunt who has a 24 x 10 deck off her travel trailer. They keep the mosquitos away very well.
As for the fresh strawberries we mostly eat them, the flavour is so good. I never seem to keep enough for jam. lol
I actually like the idea of an electric bug zapper. Thank you so much for sharing this post her. Ever since we have moved to this area, I have been noticing how unkempt everything have been and that is the more reason I want to focus better in to doing just what is right and getting things done better than what it was before. What you have shared here is really massive and I must say that I really fancy all you have shared here. Thank you souch and thumbs up
Thanks Phillip
Hello,
This was an interesting read especially for city dewellers like me.
I had heard of citronella products for keeping mosquitos at bay but not of lemongrass or eucalayptus.
The images you included were really helpful.
I never knew there was such a range of mosquito proof clothing so this was great to know.
Is this a recent development? Do you know if these clothes are available worldwide?
Best wishes,
Cameron
Hi Cameron, I believe the mosquito repellent clothing has been out for a few years. This is the first year that I have tested them and I’m really happy with them. You can order from Amazon, so I’m sure this would make them available worldwide.
Here is a link to some men’s tick and mosquito repellent shirts