Many people would prefer to try natural mosquito control remedies rather than the heavy deet products. But do all those natural herbs, spices and oils really work? Should you be stocking up on those lavender and lemongrass candles? Can they really keep mosquitoes away? Mosquitoes find their hosts (mammals) by sensing the carbon dioxide that is exhaled. Once the mosquito gets close to its victim, they detect volatile chemicals given off by skin. So, lemongrass contains citronella, a natural oil that repels mosquitoes, also catnip, rosemary and pennyroyal are herbs that contain other oils that repel mosquitoes. Citronella deters mosquitoes by covering scents that mosquitoes are drawn too, therefore they have a tougher time finding you. Citronella masks carbon dioxide and lactic acid in humans, two scents that are attractive to mosquitoes. Lavender oil contains up to 25 per cent linalool. Linalool is a terpenoid alcohol that has the same effect on mosquito olfactory receptors as DEET - diethyltoluamide, a chemical we all know and use when purchasing conventional mosquito repellents. Geraniol, the active compound in geranium oil, is actually more effective at repelling mosquitoes than linalool or even citronella.
