Mosquito Repellent Soaps: What You Need to Know


Some soaps can reduce mosquito attraction to people, according to a study in Scientific Reports. Citronella, lemongrass, and eucalyptus essential oils were found to be the most effective mosquito repellents by researchers at the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Matthew Curtis, the lead author of the study, said that the findings could have important implications for public health. “Mosquitoes are a major vector for diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika,” he said. In order to reduce the spread of these diseases, we must find ways to make people less attractive to mosquitoes.

There were 50 participants in the study who were exposed to mosquitoes under controlled conditions. Volunteers were divided into two groups: one used soap containing essential oils, and the other used regular soap. Compared to volunteers who used regular soap, volunteers who used soap containing essential oils were significantly less likely to be bitten.

Apparently, the essential oils in the soap interfere with mosquitoes’ ability to detect the volunteers’ body odor. Body odor is used by mosquitoes to locate their prey, and the essential oils in the soap mask the volunteers’ natural scents.

It appears that the study’s results are promising, but further research is necessary to confirm them. A larger study is being conducted by the researchers in order to determine the effectiveness of different types of soap on a broader range of individuals.

For now, the researchers recommend using soaps that contain essential oils in order to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. In addition, they recommend wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent containing DEET, and staying indoors during mosquito peak hours in order to repel mosquitoes.

The study provides new evidence on how we can protect ourselves against mosquitoes, which poses a serious threat to public health. It is possible to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne disease by using soaps containing essential oils as well as other mosquito-repellent measures.

©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2023

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