Using Nature’s Aromas as Insect Repellents
We’ve waited months for winter to pass, and now summer is finally upon us! Perhaps you’re looking forward to lounging by the pool and sipping neon-colored beverages. Or maybe your summer itinerary includes mountain biking and hiking the mountains out west. No matter what our summer dreams contain, we cannot forget that other creatures love these warm, easy-going months as well. And what would summer be without our insect friends butting in during the most inopportune moments? Sure, they are critical for every biosphere on Earth, but must they disrupt our 4th of July picnics? Fortunately, aromatherapy comes to the rescue with a wide variety of oils expert at dissuading even the most obnoxious pests.
For years the only insect repellent that was easy to come by was DEET, a powerful chemical that has been known to cause problems in children and pregnant women. Because DEET is so effective, and side-effects on adults are low or unknown, it is found in almost all mainstream insect repellents. Many consumers are wary of slathering this noxious-smelling chemical on their skin, however, knowing it will enter the blood stream and must be processed by the liver and other internal organs. If dealing with DEET doesn’t sound appealing this summer, get ready to learn about how essential oils can do the same job with none of the scary side effects.
To begin with, let’s consider a handful of the most powerful essential oils for warding off bugs. What’s the first one that comes to mind? Citronella, of course! This oil’s reputation truly precedes it. We’ve smelled it in patio candles and tiki torches, but the oil of this tropical grass can be mixed with other oils and applied to the skin as well. Its lemony smell rekindles memories of past summers, and insects detest it.
Citronella is not actually the best oil to use alone, however. Its power is magnified when it is combined with other essential oils, such as lemongrass, which it is related to, cedar wood, peppermint or geranium. Cedar wood, long-known for its ability to keep moths away from your wool sweaters, has a warm, pleasant scent that balances citronella’s astringent qualities. If you like the scent of peppermint, this affordable oil will also work beautifully with citronella and leave your environment smelling crisp and clean.
The geranium plant is well-known among gardeners as one of the plants of choice for natural insect control. This hardy plant smells wonderful and keeps bugs away to boot. Geranium oil is a fabulous oil to use with citronella if you’re craving a bright, floral scent. In fact, their natural relationship can be found in the species citronella geranium, a vivid green plant with large, ruffled leaves that can be smelled from yards away.
Essential oils can be applied as a bug-control mechanism in one of two ways: atmospherically or topically. A diffuser or nebulizer is the most effective way to get these oils circulating in the air, ensuring insects don’t come near. One or more of the oils listed above can be atomized, providing you and your family the uplifting benefits of aromatherapy while simultaneously protecting you in a no-fly zone. Additionally, if you do not have a diffuser, simply take twenty drops of essential oil in a small bottle, fill the rest with water, and manually mist the area.
Topical insect repellents are sometimes necessary, and with a few oils, you can create your own. We recommend using the following recipe as a base, then using the essential oil blend in your own lotion, sunscreen or spray bottle: 3 milliliters citronella, 1 milliliter peppermint, 0.75 milliliters cedar wood and 0.5 milliliters each of lemongrass and geranium. This recipe can be changed for pre-teens by cutting the essential oil concentration down by half before blending with a carrier product. For toddlers, cut in half again and do not use peppermint. Finally, for infants, a 1% concentration of citronella and/or lemongrass alone is sufficient. Test the skin first and be aware of any negative or questionable reactions. Then, use the oil as needed. When creating sprays, consider using a bit of witch hazel, a plant-based preservative, in with the water as well.
Studies in pest management with essential oils are yielding a lot of exciting and surprising new information. While we may already be familiar with the more common insect-controlling oils, such as citronella and lemongrass, other oils are being investigated for their efficacy as well. A study conducted at Seoul National University suggested fennel essential oil might also be useful in deterring mosquitoes. This pleasant oil is not as harsh smelling as citronella or lemongrass and is easy to find. Another oil that does not readily come to mind as a mosquito repellent, but definitely shows promise, is clove. A group of researchers at Mahidol University in Thailand found that clove oil, when rubbed full-strength on the skin, provided 100% effectiveness against mosquito bites over a 2-4 hour time span. This same study found patchouli oil was a great repellent as well, giving two hours of protection when used undiluted.
One oil that comes out way ahead of the pack in terms of effectiveness in fighting insects is catnip. A recent study by the DuPont Company found that this plant, also known as catmint, is the best essential oil defense out there in the struggle with insects. If used in a 15% concentration in a carrier, catnip can fight insects for 4 to 8 hours. Research has even demonstrated that catnip beats DEET in its ability to ward off bugs. The punch line, though, is this: catnip oil is pricey. If you want to see it at work, try it in small doses and confirm that your insect neighbors hate it and that your calico doesn’t lick your arm off.
Your chances of skating through the summer months without a single mosquito bite are slim, even if you are diligently using your preventative blends. Should you find yourself with an insatiably itchy bite, don’t fret. Lavender and blue tansy oils are well-known anti-itch medicines. Lavender can be applied directly to the skin and provides instant relief. Blue tansy should be diluted to a 2% concentration in a lotion or carrier oil and then massaged into the skin. Both of these oils smell good to many people, providing a nice change from the pink calamine lotion many of us endured as children.
With so many oils to choose from, it’s no longer necessary to smell like citronella all summer if you don’t want to. While aroma has the power to attract or repel any insect, animal or human with a scent organ, field research is definitely on our side when it comes to finding the exact formula for politely requesting that unwanted pests stay away from our sensitive skin. Aromatherapy applications have also come a long way in the last ten years; we have ultra-efficient and attractive diffusers and a wide variety of carrier oils and lotions to get the essential oils where they need to be. This year, before succumbing to more harsh insect repellents, consider the repertoire of aromatic oils that is easily available and create your own bug-displacing blend. Your nose will thank you.
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