Natural and effective mosquito repellent?!
Question: Are there any supplements that that work effectively as a mosquito repellent (either as the main use, or as a side effect), and that are safe for a 2 year old? We are going to Honduras soon to visit, and I am looking for the easiest and safest way to avoid the mosquitos while we are there. I also don't want to have to carry sprays or creams with us and have to keep reapplying them. Or are there any long-lasting repellants that you can just put on once a day?
Answers: Are there any supplements that that work effectively as a mosquito repellent (either as the main use, or as a side effect), and that are safe for a 2 year old? We are going to Honduras soon to visit, and I am looking for the easiest and safest way to avoid the mosquitos while we are there. I also don't want to have to carry sprays or creams with us and have to keep reapplying them. Or are there any long-lasting repellants that you can just put on once a day?
I agree with Tango's suggestion about B-vitamins. Vegemite is safe for a 2-year-old but if he's not accustomed to it he may refuse to eat it. It's worth a try and you parents can always choke it down. Excess B-vits are excreted through perspiration & urine and don't build up in the body much at all.
Garlic is another good repellent, because of the high sulpher content. If baby won't eat it, cut a clove in half & rub the fresh oil over the bottoms of his feet every night while you're in the tropics. It will absorb into his bloodstream.
Topically, cedarwood oil in a 1% solution is toxic to several insects, including mosquitos, so they avoid it like crazy. Buy a pure essential oil and put one drop in a teaspoon of unscented lotion or oil. Smooth over exposed skin, avoiding contact with mucous membranes. It will last about 1/2 a day, then reapply. (Central Institute for Medicinal Plants, Lucknow)
Vitamin b is a great natural insect repellant. Take supplements every day starting a couple of weeks before your trip if poss. Mosquitos can't stand the smell of the b being excreted through your skin (check the vitamin dose is ok for your 2-year old).
Marmite and Vegemite (yeast extract spreads) also work. Have a great holiday!
Yeah B vitamins, like brewer's yeast and topically applying good old Avon's Skin So Soft (think it is the bath oil) would be the way to go..//
Love
If you don't feed him/her, anything sweet at all, even fruit, they won't bite, they like the sugar inthe blood.
Citronella essential oildiluted is also good.
Start doubling up on the garlic they hate that lol.
vanilla is supposedly supposed to work well