Best oil for keeping mozzies at bay

[errornHiceake]

Hiya,

What's the best oil mix to put on skin to keep mosquitoes at bay? And also the best if they do take a bite?

Thanks
Sx

 

[KeithOtron]

tea tree oil would be a great insect repellant but not directly on your skin as it can irritate, you would need to use it in a blend, I will look in my books to see if i can find any recommendations about it and get back to you. If you do get stung you can apply lavender essential oil, 1 or 2 drops directly to the bite.

 

[Lynn Bodoni]

Back again, Lavender deters flies and moths, Peppermint and lemon help deter mosquitoes and ants, moths also hate citrus oils. Other oils recommended are basil, rosewood and thyme. You can add them to a vaporiser or diffuser , or even add a drop to the melted wax of a candle once it has started to melt (health and safety, essential oils are flammable so take care here!). Place a couple of drops of essential oil on the route the bugs use into the house to deter them and add a couple of drops on to cotton wool or paper tissue and place by windows and doors to prevent any entering. Have a lovely time wherever you go!

 

[???? Robert ????]

I have always found citronella mixes work well for me.
Linda

 

[KRanifxa]

Tea Tree can be applied direct to the skin in the same way as lavender, put it on your pulse points and put a few drops on your fingertips and run them through your hair; it's a good deterrent for all sorts of insects and also good to put on bites.

 

[rach rach]

Great, thanks guys. I've got some lavender and tea tree already so will pack those. I'll also get some citronella too.

 

[marroophy]

Here's an insect deterrant blend from Valerie Worwood.

4 Drops Red Thyme
8 Drops Lemongrass
4 Drops Lavender
4 Drops Peppermint

Blend them together in a bottle in that ratio and you have a premixed blend to take with you. Dab the blend on some cotton wool and leave it near your bed at night. Add 2 drops to one desertspoon of massage oil/body lotion.

If you don't want to take many oils with you lavender should do the trick
on its own. Take a bottle of lavender oil and an empty plastic bottle - when you get to your destination buy some local vegetable oil (Coconut if possible). Two drops per 5 mls of carrier oil/body lotion should be ok.

Binah
x

 

[StrawDog]

Neat tea tree oil deals very well with insect bites of any description. I haven't heard of any adverse reactions to it.

I've found that lavender oil attracts mozzies! I had to have time off work because of a bad experience in a pub garden, where I was spraying myself with Valerie Worwood's insect repellant blend which worked in reverse!

Avon's Skin-So-Soft is such a good insect repellant that the British Army use it. If you can't get any, I'd stick to a peppermint blend or a citronella blend.

 

[UnAmanteLoco]

With the greatest of respect, I have to point out that mozzies are just bad b*stards
that IME nothing really stops them getting their pint of blood! However, you should make sure you cover up in the evenings, especially arms and ankles and wear light colours as they prefer dark shades. I always use Mosigard which is citronella and comes in stick or spray or roll on. Unfortunately most of the advice that's out there will tell you that the only really effective mosquito repellent is one which contains DEET, which is very chemical. Depends on where you're going but you may prefer to sleep under a mosquito net at night. (Nothing worse than being kept awake by that high pitched whine of a moz aiming for your face as you try to fall asleep.)
When it comes to mosquitos, it's hard to remember that God loves all His creatures!

xxx

 

[jennystuart64]

I have to disagree with what Chris has posted it may not work for you Chris but it certainly did the business for me. I took it with me to Egypt and have to say it worked a treat. Not one bite and mozzies usually love me and my blood.

Binah
x

 

[Get Offa My Cloud!]

Hi there
If you buy a few Basil plants in the local market and put them on your balcony that will help alot. They hate the smell !
Elaine