This is the first time a plant-based mosquito repellent has been endorsed by the CDC.
Whether you loathe mosquito bites or are concerned about illnesses such as malaria and the Zika virus, it’ll be a necessity to protect yourself from the nagging insects this spring, summer, and fall. Luckily, a natural remedy exists which is just as effective as repellents, which contain the pesticide DEET (N,N-diethyl meta-toluamide), and is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The government organization, located in Atlanta, GA, recently approved a non-toxic, plant-based insect repellant called Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. MatterMore reports that when the oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitos found in the United States, it provided protection similar to repellents containing DEET.
Until recently, concoctions that contain DEET were the only recommended repellents by the CDC. This is the first time the organization has endorsed a natural, plant-based alternative.
Credit: BBC
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is similar in composition to menthol and can be extracted naturally from eucalyptus leaves and twigs. In addition, the oil doesn’t leave the user with an oily feel or the unpleasant smell of DEET products.
However, there are other reasons to be wary of utilizing products which contain the pesticide. When Dr. Mohammed Abou-Donia of Duke University studied lab animals’ performance of neurobehavioral tasks requiring muscle coordination, he found that the animals exposed to the equivalent of average human doses of DEET performed farworse than untreated animals.
DEET toxicity among children is a very real concern, as well. On the CDC’s website, it is noted that the pesticide may result in lethargy, headaches, tremors, involuntary movements, seizures, and convulsions, though the amount that led to this toxicity was unreported.
With a homemade repellent using lemon eucalyptus oil, however, you’ll have no reason to be concerned about insidious side effects.
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
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eucalyptus is also good to fight fleas from what im told. put leaves under chairs or where they wont be seen on the floor and fleas should die or stay away. never tried it so i couldnt say. One other thing it repells is my mother inlaw, because shes allergic to it.wooohoooo
Where can Ibut the lemon eucalyptus oil? I don’t see a link?
http://www.edensgarden.com/products/lemon-eucalyptus?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&gclid=CPzLioTn6MwCFQYNaQodzvQKag#.Vz8XQpMrKV4
Candace – it would be easy to make; just purchase some oil and add lemon drops into a slightly bigger jar with the oil. Seal the jar and keep for when needed.
Louise,
I don’t think its that simple, lemon eucalyptus is not citrus lemon
I’m curious about the fact lemon eucalyptus is not approved for use on children under 3 years old. The labeling shows that DEET products are OK to use on children under 3 years, and lemon eucalyptus is not. It seems counterintuitive, but there must be a good reason.
This article refers to lemon eucalyptus oil as an insecticide once: …”reasons to be wary of utilizing products which contain the pesticide.”
That is odd when it is about the oil as a repellant.
Eucalyptus is very strong smelling – whereas Deet I can hardly smell at all. These two things make me doubt the whole article.
There are many natural products that can repel mosquitos, and I’m glad one has the backing of the cdc. However, the main reason I use deet is to repel ticks. It seems there are no natural repellents for that. Ticks mean serious business with their Lyme, eurlichia (sp), and other diseases. Deet toxicity is out there but is lyme more common? Lyme can be very dangerous and cause so many more issues. Scary on both.
https://youtu.be/rg4LEiLdeJg?t=134