How do mosquito repellents work?

Do homemade mosquito repellents work?

• Answer:

  On One Hand: Many are untestedMany cultures around the world have come up with natural homemade mosquito repellents. Some of these may have been based on trial and error and other simply based on local lore. The trouble is that many of these home remedies have not been clinically tested, and therefore a user can have no real idea of its effectiveness.On the Other: Some can workSome homemade mosquito repellents can work because certain plants contain natural insect repellents, such as citronella oil. If homemade mosquito repellents contain citronella oil, mosquitoes will not want to come near the person wearing the repellent. Aside from citronella oil, there are also many other natural insect repellents, created by plants, that can drive away mosquitoes.Bottom LineIt is possible that a homemade mosquito repellents can work. The question is not if it is made at home or bought at a store. The question is whether it has ingredients that keep mosquitoes away. Whether an ingredient has been manufactured in a lab or produced from a plant makes no difference.Source:http://www.journeytoforever.org/edu_homer.htmlhttp://www.africanconservation.org/dcforum/DCForumID27/35.htmlOn One Hand: On the Other: Bottom Line