With the warmer months upon us, it’s time to start thinking about protecting ourselves from pesky mosquitoes. You’ve likely heard of all sorts of remedies for keeping mosquitoes away — from citronella candles to bug sprays — but what about lotion? Does lotion keep mosquitoes away? Let’s take a look at the facts.
Does Lotion Keep Mosquitoes Away?
The short answer is yes, lotions with DEET or picaridin do have some effect on repelling mosquitoes. DEET and picaridin prevent these annoying pests and offer protection for several hours. Studies have shown that DEET can be effective for up to 8 hours, while picaridin lasts up to 4.
It is important to note that no product is 100% effective against mosquitoes. So even if you are using a lotion with one of these ingredients, it’s best to still use other methods as well, such as wearing long sleeves and pants when outside, avoiding areas where there are high levels of standing water (which is where mosquitoes love to breed) and using citronella candles or insect repellent sprays.
So if you’re looking for a way to keep your skin moisturized while keeping those pesky bugs away, check the label before making a purchase.
How Does it Work?
So how does this work exactly? Most insect repellents contain an active ingredient called DEET, which helps to mask the smell of human skin and makes it more difficult for mosquitoes to find you.
However, some researchers believe that specific scent components in certain lotions may provide additional protection against mosquito bites. For example, one study found that citronella oil was effective in repelling Aedes aegypti—one of the most common species of mosquitoes—and may help to repel mosquitoes further when combined with DEET-containing products.
The Science Behind It
Mosquitoes are attracted to substances in our sweat and breath, such as lactic acid, uric acid, and octanol. Studies have shown that the scent of lotion can mask the smell of these substances, thus making us less attractive to mosquitoes.
While this is promising, not all lotions are equal regarding mosquito repellency. According to research at Rutgers University, some of the best ingredients for keeping mosquitoes away include citronella oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, and lavender oil.
So make sure to choose a lotion with one or more of these ingredients if you use it as a mosquito repellent.
Other Tips for Keeping Mosquitoes Away
In addition to using a scented lotion, there are several other tips you can use to keep those pesky bugs away from your next outdoor gathering:
- Make sure your yard is free of standing water (mosquitoes breed in water)
- Use fans outside – mosquitoes don’t like flying in windy conditions
- Wear light-colored clothing (dark colors attract mosquitoes more)
- Turn off exterior lights at night (mosquitoes are attracted to light)
- Burn citronella candles or torches (citronella is an effective mosquito repellent).
Do mosquitoes dislike lotion?
If a mosquito has ever bitten you, you know how annoying it can be. Not only do the itch the bites, but they can also transmit diseases like Zika virus and West Nile virus. So, it’s no surprise that people are always looking for ways to avoid being bitten in the first place. One standard method is to apply lotion, but does it work?
There is some evidence that mosquitoes are repelled by certain ingredients in lotions, including citronella and lemon eucalyptus oil. However, it’s important to remember that not all lotions are created equal. For a lotion to be effective at repelling mosquitoes, it must contain a high concentration of these ingredients. Otherwise, you may be putting on regular lotion.
Still, even the most effective mosquito repellent won’t keep all insects away. So if you’re spending time in an area with a high mosquito population, taking other precautions, such as wearing long sleeves and pants or using a mosquito net, is essential. But if you’re trying to avoid a few pesky bites, applying mosquito repellent lotion might do the trick.
Conclusion
All in all, lotion does have some ability to repel mosquitoes – provided it has one of the two active ingredients mentioned above (DEET or picaridin). However, it is essential to note that no single product will provide complete protection against them; other methods should still be used in addition, such as wearing long sleeves and pants when outside, avoiding areas where there are high levels of standing water (which is where mosquitoes love to breed) and using citronella candles or insect repellent sprays. As always, stay vigilant and enjoy the summer months ahead!