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How do mosquito repellents work?

Best way to safely prevent mosquito bites?

  • I'll be going to India and Nepal for 2 weeks and I'm petrified of mosquitoes (and all the diseases they can infect you with)! I've never been to a mosquito-ridden place before, and I'm not sure what I can safely do to prevent mosquitoes from biting me. I was told to wear DEET and spray all my clothes with permethrin, but I read that DEET can cause neurological damage and peremthrin increases Parkinson's disease. But "natural" repellents don't seem to really work. I'm so confused!! What can I do, or do I just take a gamble and go with the lesser of two evils (in this case, going with DEET and permethrin)?

  • Answer:

    If you don't have Parkinson's, you can go with the DEET but have you looked at other Natural remedies which could help and usually do work? http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/2006-05-01/Natural-Mosquito-Repellent.aspx http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/sun-outdoor-protection/herbal-insect-repellent.html?WT.srch=1 In this report from the CDC they list 4 mosquito repellents and naturally DEET is on that list. They also list a synthetic version of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus which might fit your comfort zone. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/repellentupdates.htm One thing to note is that the Center for Disease Control recommends applying repellent only to exposed clothing and skin. They also recommend that you do not put the repellent on skin that will be covered by clothing. You might want to consider applying the DEET to clothing only and the more natural or quasi-natural repellents to your skin. Don't neglect the brim of your hat. I assume that you have also done your homework on water purification. While there can be neurological damage from long term exposure, two weeks is short term exposure. You should go on your travels without that worry and without the worry of being bitten by mosquitoes. Often dressing in light layers can help to act as deterrent as well - but do treat the top layer and the exposed skin. That is what we would do and that is what my sister did for her 6 week trip to India. Here's another site I found which points out that mosquitos may actually be attracted to CO2 - but I would not suggest that you stop breathing - there are few other suggestions which you might like to read here: http://tipnut.com/how-to-prevent-mosquito-bites/ They also mention garlic, Vitamin B1 or B6 or perhaps the complex but you have to do that in advance, lemon, Brewer's yeast. I did find one year that the Lemon Fresh Joy detergent in a white bowl helped quite a bit. I'm not sure how this would translate to clothing, however, but might help in a hotel room. and another site reminded me of the Bounce fabric softener sheets - maybe. And Avon skin so soft oil - which might or might not worK - I've used it on horses. Eating native foods with hot chillis and curries is another suggestion which is supposed to help. It makes sense actually. Bon Voyage

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Research garlic as a mosquito repellant. You should eat a lot of it, and also spread it on your skin. Mosquitos don't like the smell of garlic. I know there are garlic sprays you can buy. But fresh garlic is probably best. http://www.garlic-central.com/mosquito.html

Lisa

Just take your DEET and premethrin with you. You don't need to worry about the side effect of them, if you just use them occasionally not always. It's ok.

Yv

I returned from Nepal and India about three weeks ago and I was just as worried as you are before my trip however I was recommended by my travel doctor to take Doxycycline whilst there. Doxy is an anti-malaria medication, and a good one at that. Malaria being the most dangerous and common ailment caused by mosquito bites. Other diseases from these insects are uncommon. I also used DEET Bushmans Repellent whilst over there, as I do not use it regularly at home, using it for four weeks whilst away is not enough to do any lasting damage and it was strong enough that I did not receive one bite whilst there. If you are still worried you can visit an adventure store like Anaconda and pick up a "mosquito clicker" or some mosquito nets, however I found the mixture of Doxycycline and DEET Bushmans to be more than perfectly sufficient. Hope I helped! Enjoy your trip, it's amazing over there.

dg

Vitamin B supplements. Sounds weird I know but it works. Take a couple weeks supply of Beroca or some other vitamin B tablet. This is what I and others used with effect when working in Africa as the anti Malaria tablets had bad side effects. It worked, gives off something on skin or sweet but really don't the science of why it is effective for deterring mosquitoes. Also light colored loose fitting clothing, long sleeves, pants, particularly at and after sunset. I also agree with the others, two weeks exposure to DEET or permethrin will not cause any problems. So bring some as a back up in case you really need it.

karlos j

The mosquitoes there are way worse than any mosquitoes here or anywhere else, so do what you have to do for the 2 weeks you'll be there.

deb.peg1

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