What to Do If You Don't Want to Use DEET

You don't have to slather yourself with DEET to avoid mosquito bites. Here are some simple suggestions that work.

1. Citronella is a natural mosquito repellant extracted from the lemongrass plants Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus. It's found in products such as Buzz Away, Green Armor, Herb Away, and Natrapel. It's also used to make mosquito-repellant candles. Citronella has to be applied more often than DEET, up to once an hour.

2. A eucalyptus extract called PMD is the main ingredient in OFF! Botanical and Repel Oil of Eucalyptus Repellant as well as several other products. This herb extract has been tested and found as effective as a 20% solution of DEET for up to six hours. PMD can cause eye irritation if it is squirted into the eyes, so use it with care around children.

3. Soybean oil, geranium oil, and coconut oil are used to make a product called Blocker. It protects against mosquitoes for up to 5 hours, but it is especially useful for protecting against blackflies, keeping them away for up to 10 hours.

4. Sweden has fierce summertime mosquitoes, and also produces some extremely effective natural mosquito repellants. Products such as MaxMedica MyggA RollOn and MaxMedica MyggA Spray offer DEET-free mosquito protection that works as well as DEET or a little better, and NoSkito Mygglotion even soothes the skin with aloe. An English product called Mrs. White's Unstung Hero not only protects against mosquitoes but also doubles as a lemony cologne.

5. Or you can always take the tropical explorer approach, and wear hats with drop-down mosquito netting for reliable protection that involves no chemical exposure at all.

What can you do if you get mosquito bites despite your best efforts. Here are five more important tips.

1. Do not apply Benadryl (diphenhydramine) lotions to mosquito bites. They can cause allergic reactions of their own that actually add to itching and irritation.
2. For allergic reactions to mosquito bites, try a lotion called After Bite. It contains about 4% ammonia that neutralizes the allergenic compounds in the mosquito's saliva.
3. If you use hydrocortisone creams to stop itching, don't use them for more than a day or two at a time. They can cause thinning of the skin and increase the skin's susceptibility to bacterial infections.
4. Calamine lotion stops itching by acting as a counterirritant. That is, it causes pain that overrides the sensation of itching. Calamine works, but it is not a good idea for small children.
5. Other home remedies that work include dabbing mosquito bites with dilute household ammonia, a teaspoon (5 ml) of ammonia in 1/4 cup (60 ml) of warm water, dilute apple cider vinegar (in the same proportions), witch hazel in baking soda mixed to make a paste, baking soda in water mixed to make a paste, rubbing them with lemon slices or half of a lemon, and, if you happen to live in the Philippines, rubbing the bite with a slice of atis fruit.