Plant-Based Extracts to Fend Off Mosquitoes This Summer
Lemon eucalyptus oil and catmint oil are among the natural remedies scientifically proven to repel the pesky biters. Citronella, perhaps surprisingly, is not.
June 2, 2022
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Mosquitos don’t mind how badly we stink in the summer. In fact, the more we sweat, the easier it is for them to find us: The naturally occurring lactic and uric acids on our skin serve as lighthouses for the hungry little ladies (only female mosquitoes feed on blood, which provides rich nutrients and amino acid proteins for their eggs), who have multiple types of odor receptors on their antennae tuned to detect chemicals found in perspiration. Fortunately, anointing yourself in certain plant oils has been scientifically proven not only to make you smell delightful, but also to repel the pesky biters.
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