Natural Insect Repellent 101

I often get asked for recommendations of what to use to keep mosquitoes away - especially in the warmer Summer months, where the days are long and warm, which make people want to be out and about even more than usual.

There are several natural scents that keep Mosquitoes away - and not just the mozzies! I've put together a simple Venn diagram showing what scents are useful as insect repellent for the main 3 insects we deal with in Malta - Mosquitoes, Fleas and Ticks.

Peppermint

Aroma family: Minty

Note: Top

Blends best with: Other Minty aromas, as well as  Citrusy, Camphoraceous, Herbaceous, and Woody/Earthy oils.

Lemon

Aroma family: Citrusy

Note: Top

Blends best with: Other Citrusy aromas, as well as Woody/Earthy, Floral, Camphoraceous, and Spicy oils.

Basil

Aroma family:  Herbaceous

Note: Top to Middle

Blends best with: Other Herbaceous aromas, Camphoraceous , Floral, and Woody/Earthy oils.

Clove

Aroma family: Spicy

Note: Base

Blends best with: Other Spicy aromas, Citrusy, Woody/Earthy, and Floral oils.

Geranium

Aroma family: Floral

Note: Middle

Blends best with: Other Floral aromas, Woody/Earthy, Spicy, and Citrusy oils.

Citronella

Aroma family: Citrusy

Note: Top

Blends best with: Other Citrusy aromas, Floral, Herbaceous, and Woody/Earthy oils.

Eucalyptus

Aroma family: Minty/Camphoraceous 

Note: Top

Blends best with: Other Minty & Camphoraceous aromas, as well as Floral, Herbaceous, Woody/Earthy, and Spicy oils.

Lavender

Aroma family: Floral

Note: Middle to Top

Blends best with:  Other Floral aromas, Resinous, Woody/Earthy, Spicy, and Citrusy oils.

Lemongrass

Aroma family: Citrusy

Note: Top to Middle

Blends best with: Other Citrusy aromas, Woody/Earthy, Camphoraceous, Spicy, and Floral oils.

Thyme

Aroma family: Herbaceous 

Note: Top to Middle

Blends best with: Other Herbaceous aromas, Camphoraceous, Floral, and Woody/Earthy oils.

Oregano

Aroma family: Herbaceous/ Spicy

Note:  Middle

Blends best with: Other Herbaceous aromas, Camphoraceous, Floral, and Woody/Earthy oils.

Rose Geranium

Aroma family: Floral

Note: Middle

Blends best with: Other Floral aromas, Resinous, Woody/Earthy, Spicy, and Citrusy oils.

Juniper

Aroma family: Woody/Earthy

Note: Middle

Blends best with: Other Woody/Earthy aromas, as well as Spicy, Floral, Citrusy, Camphoraceous, and Herbaceous oils.

Rosewood

Aroma family: Floral/Spicy

Note: Middle

Blends best with: Other Floral and Spicy aromas, as well as Resinous, Citrusy, and Herbaceous oils.

Grapefruit

Aroma family: Citrusy

Note: Top

Blends best with: Other Citrusy aromas, Woody/Earthy, Camphoraceous, Spicy, and Floral oils.

Cedarwood

Aroma family: Woody/Earthy

Note: Base

Blends best with: Other Woody/Earthy aromas, as well as Spicy, Floral, Citrusy, Camphoraceous, and Herbaceous oils.

Tea Tree

Aroma family: Minty/Camphoraceous

Note: Middle

Blends best with: Other Minty/Camphoraceous aromas, as well as Citrusy, Woody/Earthy, and Floral oils.

Orange

Aroma family: Citrusy

Note: Top

Blends best with: Other Citrusy aromas, Woody/Earthy, Camphoraceous, Minty, Spicy, and Floral oils.

Scots Pine

Aroma family: Woody/Earthy

Note: Top

Blends best with: Other Woody/Earthy aromas, as well as Spicy, Floral, Citrusy, Camphoraceous, and Herbaceous oils.

Patchouli

Aroma family: Spicy/Woody/Earthy

Note: Base

Blends best with:Other Spicy and Woody/Earthy aromas, as well as , Floral, Citrusy, Resinous, and Herbaceous oils.

Neem

Neem oil has a strong garlic/nutty aroma – unpleasant to some but loved by others.  A note of caution - Neem oil is not to be used by pregnant people. If you're in doubt or have underlying conditions, do your research first.

 

This is a guide for use by your average, healthy human being.

What if I don't like essential oils?

Have you ever noticed, whilst sitting around a fire, that you get bitten less? No? Well, mosquitos tend not to like smoke. Few people can realistically light up a fire on a daily basis - so a practical alternative would be incense.

Whilst all forms of incense will help due to the smoke they produce, if we go for the plants we covered above, that would be hitting two proverbial birds with one stone. We do, in fact, carry a variety of incense - in 4 forms: Incense Sticks, Incense Cones, Resin Incense & Backflow Incense Cones.

Ganesha Backflow Incense Burner - Stock Item

 Backflow incense is best used indoors to get the cascading smoke effect that is reminiscent of a waterfall seen from a distance. The effect is created thanks to a funnel like function and is truly mesmerising to watch. For the purpose of this post, I'd like to highlight the Lavender scented backflow incense cones. 

 

Lavender Backflow Incense Cones - Stock Item - Eur6 per can

 If you like to use Incense cones outdoors, the regular cones would be better suited. Below is a selection of Incense Cones that are fit for the purpose of this post. The 4 in a cylindrical packaging come with a chakra inspired wooden holder, whereas the 3 at the front have a little tin disc included which can be used as a cheap and cheerful holder.

   

  Selection of Incense Cones in Stock - Back row @ Eur8 each, Front row @ Eur2.10 each

 

Finally, for those who like good old Incense Sticks, the Insect Repellent scents in stock as of Mid-August 2020 are the below - The vertical cylinder packaging ones also include a Chakra inspired Incense Stick Holder.

Selection of Incense Sticks in Stock - Vertical ones @ Eur8 each, Horizontal ones @ Eur2.65 each

 

And so, as the sun sets on another day, and the mosquitoes make their presence felt once more, I'll bid you a good rest-of-your-day.

 

Until next time!

Ros