Aromadiffusion with essential oils to repel mosquitoes

Published: 15 July, 2022 - Updated: 27 October, 2022 | 4'

In the past, essential oils for aromadiffusion were already used for their benefits for physical or emotional wellbeing. Nowadays we can find a multitude of aroma diffusers and diffuse the most suitable essential oils according to the atmosphere we are looking to achieve.

Essential oils are natural aromatic liquid substances of variable colour, depending on the plant they are extracted from, and are obtained using the best of each plant.

Some of these natural essential oils have been shown to repel mosquitoes.

How to repel mosquitoes at home

Every year, summer arrives with longer daylight hours and warm temperatures that invite you to cool off. However, these weather conditions, which are associated with rest and holiday feeling, are also linked to the spread of insects such as mosquitoes, whose ecological cycle coincides with the summer season, and they become annoying companions on balmy summer nights.

Unprotected stagnant or stored water is a perfect place for the spread of mosquitoes, as they lay their eggs there, which then develop into larvae and from there into the adult form.

An effective insect repellent must show an optimum degree of volatility, allowing the maintenance of an effective vapour concentration. Vapours must also be able to repel multiple species of biting insects, not cause irritation to skin and mucous membranes, and be non-toxic.

Essential oils can meet these requirements.

What smells repel mosquitoes?

The diffusion of essential oils releases some of the molecules into the environment, such as citral, geraniol, citronellal or neral, which have the effect of hiding other smells that are attractive to insects.

In this way, mosquitoes will not be attracted to the room where the scent diffusion is applied.

Citronella, why does this plant repel mosquitoes?

Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt), an aromatic herb native to India, is grown mainly in Java, Haiti, Honduras, Taiwan, Guatemala and China. Its essential oil has been widely used in the aroma and fragrance industry.

Citronella Essential Oil contains high levels of aromatic terpene molecules, mainly geraniol, citranellol and citronellal. Its aromatic molecules are promising in terms of managing pests, as this property can be used to develop alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides ^1,3.

In other words, the citrus scent emanating from Citronella is an effective natural mosquito "repellent".

Aromadiffusion to repel mosquitoes

Aromadiffusion involves the use of high quality essential oils that get into the body through the respiratory tract or the skin.

To know the high quality, effectiveness and safety of the essential oil, we must look at the method of extraction (distillation or cold pressing), and at the chemotype which is the full identification of the chemical composition of the essential oil.

How to use aromadiffusion at home?

Aroma diffusers create a mist and send it into the air, by using different techniques such as ultrasound. This allows all sizes of molecules contained in the essential oils to be released evenly and economically into the atmosphere.

This kind of technique together with essential oils that keep insects away is perfect for home or other closed spaces.

Aroma diffusers are effective because they expel all the different sized molecules at the same time and unlike vaporisers that use heat, they do not burn the residues when the essential oil is spent.

Can aromadiffusion be used around babies and pets?

It is very important to know the right way to use an essential oil diffuser, especially if we are going to use it around babies, small children, pets or vulnerable people.

For children and babies, it is recommended not to use aromadiffusion in the presence of children under 6 years of age. As a recommendation, to avoid using the aroma diffuser in the presence of children, we suggest using it first for about 15-20 minutes when the child is not in the room. Once the desired atmosphere is achieved, turn off the diffuser and wait 20-30 minutes for the child to come into the room.

As with small children, you should also limit the amount of time pets are allowed in a room where a diffuser is working. As a suggestion, the diffuser can be used for some time before the pet comes into the room, as mentioned in the previous section.

Essential oils to keep mosquitoes away at home

As mentioned above, these natural and organic essences have their own essential properties and a particular aroma.

This scent activates olfactory receptors that cause different sensory responses in different animal species. In mosquitoes it produces an evasive response, which is why they are good for keeping mosquitoes away.

Examples of natural essential oils that have been shown to repel mosquitoes include citronella, eucalyptus, geranium and exotic verbena.

What essential oils can be used to keep mosquitoes away?

Citronella, eucalyptus, geranium and exotic verbena contain some of the molecules that are effective at repelling mosquitoes, such as citral, geraniol, citronellal and neral.

Scientific evidence^1,4 has shown that citronella, eucalyptus, geranium and exotic verbena all have a "repellent" effect of over 70% for almost 3 hours, and also reduces exposure to mosquito bites to almost 0%.

Combination of aromas to repel mosquitoes

The properties and efficiency shown by citronella, eucalyptus, geranium and exotic verbena oils have made MARNYS combine these essential oils in Synergy Repell to be used in aroma diffusers or humidifiers, keeping insects away all summer long.

The use of Synergy Repell together with the Ultra Nebulizer Aroma Diffuser USB (USB diffuser) is very easy. Simply screw the Synergy Repell bottle into the Ultra Nebuliser and plug it into a USB port. Then you choose the diffusion way.

You can also use the Synergy Repell with the ultrasonic diffuser and the ceramic diffuser lamp, creating atmospheres full of aromas, light and fine mist.

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