Mosquitoes are one of those insects that drive everyone crazy. No one wants to be a snack for them, and they can ruin any outdoor experience, sucking your blood and biting your feet. We all look for ways to repel them, and one of the most common ideas is to use Vicks.
But does Vicks repel mosquitos?
- Vicks VapoRub can be used to repel not only mosquitoes but also to heal their bites.
- This product actually contains cedar leaf oil which is one of the natural repellents that can be used for insects.
- There are many different natural scents that can be used to help repel mosquitoes, including orange and lavender.
With so many different types of mosquito repellants (of different levels of toxicity), it is tricky to find one that works but doesn’t poison you.
One of the most popular might be Vicks VapoRub because everybody has it in their medicine cabinets.Â
In this article, we take a look at if it really does help repel mosquitoes, as well as a couple of other options to help you fend off those annoying flying insects.
Does Vicks Repel Mosquitos?
Many people are looking for alternative ways to repel mosquitoes that are actually safe for their animals and their family. That means looking to alternative ideas like Vicks VapoRub.Â
As we all know, Vicks VapoRub has a very strong odor. It contains cedar leaf oil as part of its formula. This strong oil is actually a natural repellent when it comes to insects, and will help keep mosquitoes away.
As we all know, Vicks VapoRub has a very strong odor. It contains cedar leaf oil as part of its formula. This strong oil is actually a natural repellent when it comes to insects, and will help keep mosquitoes away.
Along with this, Vicks VapoRub can be used in other aspects of mosquitoes.Â
If you have been unable to repel them completely and still wind up with mosquito bites, you can use Vicks on the actual bite itself. The ingredients used in this treatment have the ability to soothe the itching that comes with the bite.
Some Scents That Work as Well…
If you’re someone who doesn’t like that strong menthol odor that comes with Vicks, then you may be looking for other scents that can be used to repel mosquitoes. There are a plethora of natural plant-based scents that you can use.
Citrus, like oranges and lemons, can have a wonderful effect on repelling mosquitoes. This is why those citronella candles that are so popular to use as insect repellent works so well.
You can use lavender and basil essential oils along with citrus flavors like oranges and lemons.
These floral and very herbaceous notes can be perfect for building a wall of protection for your outdoor and indoor activities so that you don’t wind up scratching the night away. You can always plant citronella plants if you don’t want to use candles.
They will have the same effect as those candles.
For those that are into gardening, there are even plants you can plant that could help keep mosquitoes out of your yard. Having a garden that includes things like calendula or marigolds when it comes to flowers is great.
On the herbal front planting things like lemongrass, rosemary or mint can also not only help you have delicious meals but also to get rid of those winged insects that like to bite us so much.
But when it comes to the scent that is the most repellent of mosquitoes, you only have to look at one place: lantana. Lantana may be a new plant for you, but it is one of many plants that can be found in the verbena family.
That means if you want to really utilize natural scents to repel mosquitoes, having these planted in your yard or around your home could be a great option. Not only will it allow for beauty to remain around your home, but it will have a sweet smell, and you won’t have to worry about getting bitten incessantly by mosquitoes.
Are There Foods You Can Eat To Fend Off Mosquitos?
So maybe you have done all the things you can do to repel mosquitoes, yet you’re still their main course every night. Ideally, no repellent will be 100% effective, so there will be some mosquitoes around at some point.
There are just some people that mosquitoes like. Why this is has a lot to do with your genetics.
It could very well be that your DNA determines the release of certain substances that the mosquito females really like. If you are one of those people with this, you will be more prone to being bitten by mosquitoes.
So if it’s all about your genetic makeup, then maybe there are foods you can eat to help combat this situation. There are, in fact, a few things that might be able to help when it comes to your diet.
Tomatoes!
For those looking for a more holistic way to repel mosquitoes, having a diet rich in tomatoes, beans, and lentils might be good. These foods are rich in thiamine or B1 and can help with many different things.
Grapefruits
Along with this, grapefruit is also a good citrus to include. It contains a ton of vitamin C and antioxidants, which could change your chemical makeup and allow you to combat mosquitoes.
Italian Dressing!
Other foods that might be helpful to include in your diet are things like garlic, onions, chili peppers, lemongrass, and apple cider vinegar.
Vinegar
Vinegar is something that should be the basis of many of your natural repellents. The pungent odor and the release of those gasses that come from vinegar are natural repellents and can be combined with many other scents to help build a good natural repellent.
Final Thoughts
There are many repellents made to combat mosquitoes. Vicks isn’t going to be the best at repelling mosquitoes, but it’s also not poison. It works pretty well, and you can combine it with foods and garden plants to further protect yourself.
And note that fans are an underrated mosquito repellant. Mosquitoes struggle to fly in even a small breeze.
