Do Dryer Sheets Repel Mosquitoes?
Some believe dryer sheets can effectively repel mosquitoes, but does science back up this claim? Most insects are extremely sensitive to strong scents, such as citronella, peppermint, lavender and other essential oils, so it would make sense that dryer sheets could have a similar effect. Is this possibility merely anecdotal? Let's find out if dryer sheets can repel mosquitoes from the experts at MosquitoNix®.
The Truth About Scientific Evidence
University researchers conducted a test to see if dryer sheets repel fungus gnats. The use of certain brands of dryer sheets led to an almost 50 percent decrease in the number of fungus gnats inside the testing radius. Other university studies demonstrate the effectiveness of dryer sheets to repel certain insects, including mites, food-infesting beetles, German cockroaches and weevils. These studies, however, do not show any significant impact as a mosquito repellent.
What makes people think dryer sheets as a bug repellent work? It's all about certain chemicals found in the dryer sheets, specifically linalool, geraniol and beta-citronellol, all of which have mosquito-repelling properties. Unfortunately, the concentration of these ingredients is low, enough to make your clothes smell better, but not enough to make mosquitoes evacuate the area. It's not all bad news, however. Plenty of other mosquito repellents work wonders, and some rely on natural, plant-derivative ingredients to keep these flying pests away.
Effective Mosquito Repellents
Let's return to the essential oil scents that do keep mosquitoes away from your skin and backyard. Many of these scents are natural and provide an eco-friendly way to repel those annoying mosquitoes by blocking the insects' sense of smell. Which ones work best to repel mosquitoes?
Oils such as citronella, lemon eucalyptus, clove, peppermint and lemongrass are majorly offensive odors to mosquitoes. You can find these fragrances as essential oils to use in diffusers or for making your own topical spray by diluting these oils in water. Studies have shown that some of these natural essential oils can provide complete protection for hours after application. If you are thinking about using essential oils as a mosquito repellent, look for concentrations ranging from five to ten percent. Anything higher irritates the skin in both animals and humans.
Planting some of these varieties around your property can also deter mosquitoes from using your yard as a buffet. Incorporate rosemary, basil, lavender and lemongrass in your landscaping for an all-natural way to repel flying and biting pests. You should also remove any standing water in the yard; these stagnant puddles are prime mosquito breeding grounds and can guarantee a near-constant population of mosquitoes at various life cycle stages.
Green Services from MosquitoNix®
While DIY and natural mosquito repellents are wonderful options, sometimes they are not enough to provide the protection you and your family need. Essential oils alone provide insufficient protection from mosquito-borne disease in larger outdoor gatherings. With our all-natural green services, you can enjoy a non-toxic, non-GMO solution to mosquito control. It works better than other natural mosquito repellents, yet is harmless for pets, children and other animals.
For other mosquito control options, you've come to the right place. MosquitoNix has custom mosquito control systems that will keep those pesky and dangerous pests away. For large events, such as weddings and backyard parties, try our Fogging Treatments. If you want continuous mosquito control in your backyard or property, use our custom misting systems. MosquitoNix even has a portable misting device that protects you from mosquito-borne illness on the go. You'll wonder how you ever went camping without it!
Learn more about our services by contacting us online or talking with the experts at your local MosquitoNix office. Together, we can create a plan that lets you enjoy time outdoors without worrying about pesky mosquitoes.
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