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Does Eucalyptus Oil Repel Mosquitoes? (Answered)

Mosquitos are flying insects that are found in almost all parts of the world. There are around 3500 species of mosquitos available worldwide.

Only female mosquitos bite humans and animals to get a blood meal. Because they need blood to produce their eggs.

Mosquito bites are known to transmit many different diseases in humans including the Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue, and malaria. The most common way to protect humans from mosquito bites is repellent agents.

Follow this article to get a better understanding of how eucalyptus oil repels mosquitoes.

Eucalyptus oil to repel mosquitoes:

Lemon eucalyptus oil is known to repel mosquitoes. A study suggested that 32% eucalyptus oil provides 95% protection against mosquitoes for 3 hours. The use of lemon eucalyptus oil as a mosquito repellent ingredient has already been approved by the centers for disease control and prevention.

Eucalyptus oil naturally contains high amounts of citronellal, which deter mosquitoes and other bugs. Citronellal is a monoterpenoid that has a very distinctive floral and lemon aroma.

Lemon eucalyptus oil also contains a chemical called para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) which is very good at deterring mosquitoes. PMD is a monoterpene typically obtained from the hydro distillation of leaves of the lemon eucalyptus tree.

Although lemon eucalyptus oil smells sweet, lemony, and fresh to humans, mosquitoes strongly dislike the smell. Mosquitoes not only have a good sense of smell but also have a very good sense of taste.

Regular eucalyptus oil:

Eucalyptus is a genus that consists of more than 700 flowering trees and shrubs or mallees. These trees are native to Australia and cultivated all over the world.

Eucalyptus oil is collected from the leaves. The Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus Radiata are the most common eucalyptus tree used for the preparation of regular eucalyptus oil.

Regular eucalyptus oil has numerous use such as common cold medicine, antifungal properties, immune booster as well as repellents for insects.

Lemon Eucalyptus oil:

Lemon Eucalyptus oil usually comes from the dried leaves and twigs of the lemon eucalyptus tree.

The scientific name of the lemon eucalyptus tree is Corymbia citriodora. However, it was first named Eucalyptus citriodora.

It is native to Australia and is also known as lemon-scented gum. One of the most important benefits of lemon eucalyptus oil is its mosquito and insect repellent properties.

Lemon eucalyptus oil has several other benefits. For instance, it stimulates circulation, reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, etc.

The special property of lemon eucalyptus oil as a mosquito deterrent was first identified in the 1960s in China. Since then, it has been used as an efficient natural mosquito deterrent.

Consequently, lemon eucalyptus oil and its chemical PMD have been approved in 2005 by the centers for disease control and prevention as the only plant-based mosquito repellent.

How to use eucalyptus oil to repel mosquitoes?

If you want to make your natural mosquito repellent, follow the guidelines below to make an effective mosquito repellent using lemon eucalyptus oil.

Topical solution:

If you want to directly apply the lemon eucalyptus oil to your skin, you can make a simple topical solution.

  • To use the lemon eucalyptus on your skin you need to dilute the oil with a noncorrosive and less-concentrated carrier oil. Take 6 teaspoons of coconut or vegetable oil and mix it with 20 to 30 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil.
  • Then you just need to mix it very well and apply it on your skin except for the face
  • To avoid any unwanted allergic reaction, first, use a little bit of diluted oil on your skin and wait before applying it all over the body.
  • Wash your hand after applying to prevent accidental ingestion.

Mosquito repellent spray:

You can make a mosquito repellent spray using lemon eucalyptus oil. Follow the guidelines to make an effective mosquito repellent spray.

  • Mix one part of lemon eucalyptus oil with 10 parts of carrier oil like sunflower oil or witch hazel in a spray bottle.
  • Mix the solution very well to ensure that the solution is uniformly mixed.
  • Then apply the spray to the skin and fabrics to repel mosquitoes.
  • Do not use the spray for children less than 3 years old.
  • Avoid using the spray on the face and make sure your eyes are completely safe.
  • Never ingest the oil to avoid any side effects.
  • Never use the spray on inflamed and injured skin.

Pros and cons of using eucalyptus oil mosquito repellent:

Find the pros and cons of using eucalyptus oil as a mosquito repellent below,

Pros:

Mosquito repellent properties:

The main advantage of lemon eucalyptus oil is its mosquito repellent properties. Lemon eucalyptus oil contains a high amount of citronellal and citronellol compounds that can effectively repel mosquitoes and other insects.

Improve immune:

Eucalyptus oil may improve immune system function.

Reduce inflammation and muscle aches:

Eucalyptus oil also can reduce inflammation and muscle aches when applied topically.

Reduce pain:

It can also reduce some pains such as acute pain of a headache, pain muscle strains, injury, and some other chronic pain.

Improve metabolism:

Eucalyptus oil also can improve metabolism and blood circulation. It contains Limonene and citronellal compounds which improve oxygenated blood supply to your body.

Reduces skin fungal infections:

Eucalyptus oil also reduces skin fungal infections due to its antifungal properties.

Cons:

Have side effects:

Eucalyptus oil can cause several side effects including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Cause stomach pain:

If eucalyptus oil is ingested accidentally that may cause serious adverse effects such as stomach pain, dizziness, muscle weakness, feelings of suffocation, drowsiness, seizures, and even coma.

Cause skin issue:

Raw undiluted eucalyptus oil on the skin may cause serious problems with the nervous system.

Harmful during pregnancy:

Eucalyptus oil also can also be harmful during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Thus, it is recommended to not use eucalyptus oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Interact with drugs:

Eucalyptus oil also can interact with several other drugs including dihydroergotamine, dronedarone, ergotamine, erythromycin, etc.

Cause allergy:

Eucalyptus oil also can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Nine other ways to repel mosquitoes away from your home and garden

Let’s get to know what other methods you can use to repel mosquitoes.

Lemon and Cloves:

Mosquitoes are known to dislike the smell of cloves and anything citrus. You can keep slices of lemons with a few cloves pushed into them inside your home.

The smell of cloves and lemons will irritate the mosquitoes and they will run away from your home.

Mosquito repellent plants:

One of the easiest ways to keep mosquitoes away from your home and garden is by planting mosquito repellent plants in your garden and inside your home.

Some of the common mosquito repellent plants are tulsi, lemongrass, citronella, basil, marigolds, mint, and catnip.

Citronella insect repellent:

Citronella oil comes from the lemongrass plants. Citronella has a floral and lemony aroma which most species of mosquito dislike. 

You can simply use a commercially available Citronella candle to deter mosquitoes from your home.  You can also use citronella oil to repel mosquitoes away from your home and garden.

Use garlic spray:

Another effective natural mosquito repellent is garlic. Mosquitoes dislike the pungent smell of garlic. You can crush a few cloves of garlic and boil them in water for some time.

Then you can simply pour the boiled water with garlic into a spray bottle and apply it inside your home to keep mosquitoes away from the home.

Coffee ground:

Grounded coffee has a very potent smell, and mosquitoes do not like the smell. You can simply sprinkle some grounded coffee throughout your garden. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

The coffee ground also hampers the eggs of mosquitoes in the water thus, reduces the larvae of mosquitoes.

Lavender:

Crushed lavender flowers have a strong smell that repels mosquitoes. You can simply make a spray with lavender oil to make a mosquito repellent spray for your home.

Cinnamon oil:

Cinnamon oil is known to deactivate mosquito eggs and act as a repellent against adult mosquitoes.

You can easily make a 1% solution of cinnamon oil by mixing it with water to make a mosquito repellent spray for your home.

Thyme oil:

Thyme oil is known to repel malarial mosquitoes. You can make a mosquito repellent spray for your home with thyme oil. You can also burn some thyme leaves in your garden which will repel the mosquitoes from your garden.

Neem oil:

Neem oil from neem trees is known to have a mosquito repellent property. However, it is not recommended to use on your skin. Because it can cause skin irritation.

Final Thought

As a result, lemon eucalyptus oil is proven to repel mosquitoes. According to research, 32% eucalyptus oil gives 95% mosquito protection for 3 hours. The use of lemon eucalyptus oil as a mosquito repellent component has previously been approved by the centers for disease control and prevention.