Insect Repellent - Insect Repellents From Natural Sources

Insect Repellents From Natural Sources

There are many preparations from naturally occurring sources that are repellent to certain insects. Some of these act as insecticides while others are only repellent.

  • Achillea alpina (mosquitos)
  • alpha-terpinene (mosquitos)
  • Basil
    • Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
  • Callicarpa americana (Beautyberry)
  • Camphor (moths)
  • Carvacrol (mosquitos)
  • Castor oil (Ricinus communis) (mosquitos)
  • Catnip oil (Nepeta species) (nepetalactone against mosquitos) (although attracts cats)
  • Cedar oil (mosquitos, moths)
  • Celery extract (Apium graveolens) (mosquitos) In clinical testing an extract of celery was demonstrated to be at least equally effective to 25% DEET, although the commercial availability of such an extract is not known.
  • Cinnamon (leaf oil kills mosquito larvae)
  • Citronella oil (repels mosquitos)
  • Oil of cloves (mosquitos)
  • Eucalyptus oil (70%+ eucalyptol), (cineol is a synonym), mosquitos, flies, dust mites)
  • Fennel oil (Foeniculum vulgare) (mosquitos)
  • Garlic (Allium sativum) (rice weevil, wheat flour beetle)
  • Geranium oil (also known as Pelargonium graveolens)
  • Lavender (repels insects, although attracts bumble bees)
  • Lemon eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora) essential oil and its active ingredient p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD)
  • Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon species) (mosquitos)
    • East-Indian Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
  • Marigolds (Tagetes species)
  • Marjoram (Spider mites Tetranychus urticae and Eutetranychus orientalis)
  • Neem oil (Azadirachta indica) (Repels or kills mosquitos, their larvae and a plethora of other insects including those in agriculture)
  • Oleic acid, repels bees and ants by simulating the "Smell of death" produced by their decomposing corpses. It is a 400 millions years old natural mechanisms helping to sanitise the hives or to escape predators
  • Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) (mosquitos, fleas), but very toxic to pets.
  • Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) (mosquitos)
  • Pyrethrum (from Chrysanthemum species, particularly C. cinerariifolium and C. coccineum)
  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) (mosquitos)
  • Spanish Flag (Lantana camara) (against Tea Mosquito Bug, Helopeltis theivora)
  • Tea tree oil
  • Thyme (Thymus species) (mosquitos)
  • Yellow Nightshade (Solanum villosum), berry juice (against Stegomyia aegypti mosquitos)
  • Andrographis paniculata extracts(mosquito)

Read more about this topic:  Insect Repellent

Famous quotes containing the words insect, natural and/or sources:

    “As I stand over the insect crawling amid the pine needles on the forest floor, and endeavoring to conceal itself from my sight, and ask myself why it will cherish those humble thoughts, and hide its head from me who might, perhaps, be its benefactor, and impart to its race some cheering information, I am reminded of the greater Benefactor and Intelligence that stands over me the human insect.”
    —Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    “Saints are simply men & women who have fulfilled their natural obligation which is to approach God.”
    —Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966)

    “On board ship there are many sources of joy of which the land knows nothing. You may flirt and dance at sixty; and if you are awkward in the turn of a valse, you may put it down to the motion of the ship. You need wear no gloves, and may drink your soda-and-brandy without being ashamed of it.”
    —Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)