A lot has been written about mosquito repellents, but there always seems to be a dilemma: you’re either bound to choose a repellent that is good at what it’s supposed to do, but smelly or toxic, or one that’s not efficient, but smells nice and is organic.
Because so many pregnant women and concerned mothers look for natural products, I wasn’t surprised to read that some use tea tree oil for natural protection against mosquitos. Mind you, because it’s not a chemical product designed to repel insects, tea tree oil will hardly retain its effect for many hours. It’s also worth mentioning that tea tree oil is not exactly a repellent, but a natural pesticide, i.e. while it’s safe for humans when applied topically, it’s very toxic for insects, who die after immediate contact. Tea tree oil is also well known for its medical properties, such as being antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral. Applying it directly to skin after a bite will soothe skin and decrease irritation.
How to Make and Use Tea Tree Oil as a Natural Mosquito Repellent for Kids
The tea tree oil can be rubbed directly on the skin or can be diluted with water in a spray bottle for easy application. Mix 2 parts tea tree oil to 1 part water. Spray directly on area for application. Unlike the chemical insect repellents, tea tree oil can be applied on skin that is underneath clothing, as well as uncovered skin. The chemical repellents can only be applied to uncovered skin. Tea tree oil needs to be applied more frequently than the chemical insect repellents for best results.
Just remember to check if your kid is allergic to tea tree oil and consult your doctor before trying this method.
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Be careful with this!! I would not ever recommend a 2:1 tea tree: water dilution sprayed all over the body! MAYBE a 5% concentration of tea tree in water, but never at the level she's recommending!!! Plus, old tea tree oil that's been sitting around a while is even more skin sensitizing because d-limonene, a chemical constituent of tea tree, breaks down over time and creates the potential for even more dermal sensitization. Most people don't store essential oils properly and are thus even more likely to have problems.