Natural mosquito repellents: Kitchen staples that actually work

Mosquitoes disrupt outdoor relaxation and leave painful welts on our skin after bites. So, how can you protect yourself from being bitten? Instead of reaching for chemical products, use something from your kitchen cabinet that you typically use for baking. You will become invisible to mosquitoes.

The scent that repels mosquitoes should be intense. Such products include vinegar, onion, tomato leaves, witch hazel oil, wormwood, bear garlic, basil, thyme, cloves, and mint. Their presence on the table should discourage mosquitoes from approaching. But that's not all.

Vanilla, even the most basic vanilla flavoring for cakes, is also effective in repelling mosquitoes. Just rub a bit of this liquid into your skin, and the mosquitoes will stop attacking you. You can also make an effective spray by adding 30 drops of vanilla flavoring to about 3.4 oz of water. Apply it to your body, especially around your wrists and behind your ears.

Additionally, the State Forests remind us on Facebook that essential oil scents such as eucalyptus, lavender, and mint also protect against mosquito bites. They also caution against scratching the welts after bites as it can lead to infections. If bitten, it's good to apply a slice of lemon or onion, a compress of chamomile, buttermilk, cream, aloe leaf, apple cider vinegar, or ammonia on the painful spots. A cube of ice or regular cold water can also be helpful.

It's interesting to note what attracts mosquitoes to humans. Some people are more prone to their attacks, others less. Mosquitoes particularly favor people after intense physical effort. They are attracted to lactic acid, which our muscles produce during activity. Mosquitoes can also detect the carbon dioxide we exhale while breathing, making them eager to fly towards us.

Mosquitoes find moist and warm places attractive, such as wet meadows or swamps, and our bodies, especially when hot or sweaty. Mosquitoes are also believed to prefer darker colors over lighter ones, so wearing light-colored clothes might help avoid bites. Mosquitoes are also drawn to our natural scent, which is why some insect repellent products work by masking or introducing scents that mosquitoes dislike.