Mosquito season is in full swing and I can’t bear to use deet based products after doing the research. Deet is classified as a pesticide and research shows that deet is a neurotoxin to insects and mammals. It was thought to interfere with a mosquito’s sense of smell but a new study published in the journal BioMed Central Biology, suggests that deet may function by interfering directly with insects’ nervous systems.
“We’ve found that deet is not simply a behavior-modifying chemical but also inhibits the activity of a key central nervous system enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, in both insects and mammals,” the researchers said.
Deet is still considered safe in low doses but my concern lies with putting this chemical on skin which is the body’s largest organ. If we are reapplying it, how much is still considered a low dose, or does that end up being a large dose? “Use of DEET concentrations above 50 percent have been associated with increased skin irritation and similar reactions. In very rare circumstances, slurred speech, confusion and seizures have been associated with the use of DEET, particularly in children.” We are not supposed to put deet on irritated skin, and to try and spray it on our clothing rather than skin. It is also recommended to wash it off before bed and remove any clothing containing deet before we go to sleep.
Thankfully there are natural things like essential oils that work to repel mosquitos. Essential oils like lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, vanilla, clove, garlic, rosemary, cedar and lemon grass oil can be used as natural repellents against mosquitos. In a nutshell, mosquitos don’t like the way they smell, and in some cases the oils work to interfere with the mosquitos sense of smell.
At first I was skeptical about how well they would work but after having used a mixture of Citronella, Lemon Grass, Lavender and Witch Hazel I am a believer. You do have to reapply this mixture every hour to two hours but that is worth it to me. I feel good about using essential oils on my family because they don’t come with the same warnings that deet does.
I will be on CTV Morning Live Calgary tomorrow July 25th at 8:05 am MST to show you how easy it is to make mosquito repellent using essential oils.
Cheers to natural products that work!
Penny
http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/deetfacts.htm
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/029136_deet_toxic.html#ixzz21YGz06oM
This is what we use in our house! You can find it in Calgary at Xerion!
Mozi-Q is a formula containing five homeopathic remedies: Staphysagria, Ledum palustre, Urtica urens, Cedron and Grindelia. They are in low C and D potencies, thereby acting at the physical level for their common indication, to reduce the frequency and severity of insect bites.
Hi Penny, may I suggest trying catnip oil in your blend – studies have shown it is as good as DEET but just does not last as long so needs to be reapplied more often. Also, have your heard about MOZI-Q – it is a homeopathic mosquito repellent that you eat! Glad you are educating people about the hazards of DEET – it should be banned!
Hi Penny, saw your clip on CTV Calgary. I am going to make this, I am finding this year that the deet-based bug sprays give me headaches and effect my sinuses. I truly don’t like using the deet sprays but I don’t like the thought of west nile either.
Indeed cheers to those natural products that really works.And I am glad and grateful to find this web blog of yours that is helpful enough in bringing an awareness in the community. [ mosquito repellent for dogs dot com ]