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Does Cedar Oil Repel Mosquitoes? (Answered)

Cedar oil is a type of essential oil used for multiple household purposes. But many people tend to think if it can repel mosquitoes. Let us break down if cedar oils can be used to deter mosquitoes and get the best results out of it.

Cedar Oil To Repel Mosquitoes

Although many studies show it is not the most effective solution, cedar oil can repel mosquitoes. It contains all the necessary properties that can keep mosquitoes away and prevent them from biting and spreading diseases. Of all the essential oils that repel mosquitoes, cedar oil comes on top.

Mosquitoes are suffocated, dehydrated, and sometimes even dissolved by cedar oil. They dislike the smell of it and keep themselves away.

A lot of times their pH levels are imbalanced which highly affects their bodies and by dissolving they may also get emulsified at early stages. This is basically how cedar oil can repel mosquitoes.

It Causes Mosquitoes To Suffocate:

Cedar oil is used to treat mosquito bites, and it is also suspected of causing mosquitoes to suffocate. Scientists used cedar oil to treat mosquito bites in a lab, and then used a drone to test mosquito populations near a cedar oil extract refinery.

The mosquitoes near the extract refinery perished much faster than the control group, and their bodies were found to be exhibiting slowed movement and other symptoms of suffocation. This suggests that cedar oil could be used to control mosquito populations.

Dehydrates:

Cedar oil causes mosquitoes to become dehydrated, which is why it is often used as a mosquito repellent.

When applied to a surface, cedar oil causes mosquitoes to become intoxicated and unable to fly, which is why it’s often used in outdoor areas where mosquitoes are most common.

Young Mosquitoes May Be Dissolved:

Larva mosquitoes, the immature stage of the insect, can become dissolved by cedar oil, which has led to speculation that the element could be used to control mosquito populations in urban areas.

When exposed to cedar oil, the immature stage of the mosquito undergoes metabolic changes that cause it to become intoxicated and unable to fly.

Emulsification Occurs:

Researchers have discovered that exposure to cedar oil causes the larvae of the insects to become dissolved and emulsified.

This is a phenomenon that could have far-reaching impacts on the environment and our health, as cedar oil is currently used in many products to prevent and treat mosquito-borne illnesses.

So, not only can this oil repel mosquitoes but basically eradicate mosquito contaminations entirely.

Affects Their Bodys’ pH Levels:

Exposure to the element causes the pH levels of the mosquitoes’ blood to become abnormal, causing the insects to struggle with their natural activities.

Insects rely on their ability to detect pheromones to breed and survive. When their pH levels are haywire, they basically have a system failure.

Do Mosquitoes Dislike The Smell Of Cedar?

Yes, mosquitoes do not like the smell of cedar at all. And this is actually for a quite a number of reasons.

Firstly, as we mentioned, it causes them to suffocate. The scent comes off as so strong to the insects, that they find it difficult to breathe whenever they smell cedar.

Since mosquitoes breathe through tube-like openings that are situated on their exoskeletons, they are most susceptible to suffocating due to cedar scents.

On the other hand, another way the smell affects mosquitoes is that it messes with their pheromones. As they rely on chemicals as well as pheromones for the purpose of breeding, the smell of cedar can strongly hinder their capabilities to navigate and detect pheromones.

Because their system gets messed up due to the smell of cedar, they can often get dehydrated and even perish. So, yes, they don’t like the smell of cedar at all.

Are Cedar Oil Based Repellants Effective On Other Insects?

Yes, cedar oils are effective on mosquitoes, but many wonder whether they can use cedar for other insects. Recently, researchers have discovered that cedar oil-based bug sprays are effective on other insects besides mosquitoes.

Cedar oil bug sprays contain cedar oil which is a type of volatile bug repellent that causes insects to avoid the scent. Cedar oil has been found to repel ticks, chiggers, mites, and fleas, which are insects that can cause disease in humans and animals.

Such a discovery could lead to bug sprays being used on other insects that cause diseases such as flies, which can carry disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

You can use cedar oil-based repellants on other insects such as ants, cockroaches, and silverfish. This gives you more freedom in your home and yard, which is ideal for those who have a small home or yard.

What Essential Oils Are Good Mosquito Repellants?

There are many kinds of mosquito repellants, but the ones that are most effective are essential oils. They are commonly used in aromatherapy, but they can also be used as mosquito repellants.

Citronella:

Citronella is an oil derived from the leaves of the citronella plant. It’s often used in insect repellents because it has a strong aroma that insects find unpleasant.

It’s also a good mosquito repellant because it doesn’t just smell good, it also contains a component that negatively impacts mosquitoes’ ability to smell.

Geranium:

Aside from those, another essential oil that is effective is Geranium oil. This one is an oil derived from the leaves of the geranium plant, but it has a woodsy, herbaceous aroma that mosquitoes find unpleasant.

Eucalyptus:

Eucalyptus oils are some of the most widely used mosquito repellants in the world. The oils come from the leaves, buds, and stems of the eucalyptus tree, and are used in a variety of ways.

Some people spray their yards with eucalyptus oil to keep mosquitoes away. Others burn eucalyptus oil as mosquito smoke to drive mosquitoes away.

Peppermint:

Lastly, peppermint oil is another highly effective choice for this purpose. The oil can be applied topically to help reduce the number of mosquitoes that bite and spread infectious diseases like malaria.

It can be applied to the skin as a lotion or mixed with Carrier oil to make a salve. When mixed with Carrier oil, peppermint oil is an effective mosquito repellent.

5 Ways To Repel Mosquitoes Away From Your Home And Garden

Follow these 5 tips to prevent mosquitoes from even coming near your home and garden.

Get Rid Of Stagnant Water:

Removing stagnant water can prevent mosquito contamination. Mosquitoes breed best in stagnant water, so removing standing water from your home will go a long way toward keeping your community mosquito-free.

Even a small amount of stagnant water, like a puddle on your porch or a water stain on your carpet, can lead to a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The best way to remove stagnant water is to have your water shut off and your pipes vacuumed, which will eliminate any mosquitoes that are in the area.

Keep Your Home And Garden Clean:

One of the most effective ways to keep mosquitoes away is to keep your home and yard clean. Removing debris and keeping weeds and grass mowed helps reduce the number of places where mosquitoes can breed.

It will also help to reduce any smells that might attract mosquitoes. A little cleanliness goes a long way.

Plant Basil And Rosemary In Your Garden:

The summer heat can bring mosquitoes into our homes, leaving us itching and miserable. But there’s an easy solution: adding a few plants to your yard or garden can help keep mosquitoes away.

One of the most effective plants for repelling mosquitoes is basil, which has an aroma that is known to deter mosquitoes.

You can also plant rosemary in your garden to repel mosquitoes. Both of these plants produce an oil that is effective at repelling mosquitoes, and both are relatively easy to grow.

Install A Bird House:

If you want to keep mosquitoes away from your yard, installing a bird house is an effective way to do so. Birds can deter mosquitoes by keeping them away from your property, which reduces your risk of being bitten.

There are certain birds that even feed on mosquitoes such as, swallows, purple martins, various migratory birds, etc. Even ducks can help in this regard. Experts suggest building a birdhouse about 15-20 feet above the ground, for the best results.

Use Cedar Or Other Essential Oils That Work:

And well, on top of every other measure you can take, use essential oils like cedarwood to repel mosquitoes using their highly effective repulsing properties. Get bug sprays that contain these essential oils and you’re good to go.

Final Thoughts

Cedar oil is surely one of the most effective mosquito deterrents. Causing mosquitoes to suffocate and dehydrate this essential oil does its job right. So, you can use this oil to repel mosquitoes from your home and garden and expect amazing results.