There is a new reason for those living in mosquito territory to rejoice this summer! The Centers For Disease Control (CDC), located in Atlanta, GA, has recently approved a non-toxic, plant-based insect repellant called Oil Of Lemon Eucalyptus.
In two recent CDC publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US, it provided protection similar to repellents containing DEET, (N,N-diethyl meta-toluamide).
Until now, DEET was the only repellent recommended by the CDC, and approved for individual use by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Recent increases in the number of cases of West Nile virus and reports of toxicity in animals and children have prompted consumers to seek DEET alternatives, but until now the CDC has not endorsed any other plant-based product.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is similar in make-up to menthol and can be extracted naturally from eucalyptus leaves and twigs. Another plus, lemon eucalyptus doesn't have the oily feel and unpleasant smell of DEET products.
Look for products that contain the active ingredient p-Menthane-3,8-diol, such as utter Lemon Eucalyptus Pump 4ozC, $7.95 which can repel mosquitoes and ticks for up to 6 hours.
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