have little effect in deterring smaller
threats, like insects. For the smaller
defense, many plants naturally produce
chemical repellents and feeding deterrents.
Among these are essential oils, which help
prevent attacks2, 3 in several ways, one of
which is providing a vapor barrier that
deters insects from contacting the plants’
surface in the first place3. In short, plants
produce essential oils not to please our
palate or delight our nose with a pleasant
fragrance (although they do a great job
with that), but to protect themselves from
would-be attackers.
Hang Time
For centuries, these same essential oils
have been traditionally used by native
human populations throughout the world
to ward off mosquitos and other insects.1
In fact, the hanging of repellent plants
throughout the home, after bruising them
to release the essential oils, is still a
common practice in developing countries.2
Modern scientific research has validated
the traditional use of essential oils as
natural repellents. Many essential oils
extracted from various plants have been
shown to have excellent repellency
properties.3 Generally, the unique
combination of monoterpenes and
sesquiterpenes found in these oils may
contribute to their repellent properties.1
Alpha-pinene, cineole, eugenol, limonene,
terpinolene, citronellol, citronellal,
camphor, thymol, and beta-caryophyllene
are commonly found in essential oils that
have the ability to repel mosquitoes.3–7
Working as a Team