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Are There Natural Alternatives to Chemical Insect Repellents?

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Are There Natural Alternatives to Chemical Insect Repellents?

Sara Connolly, MD, FAAP, Board Certified Pediatrician • January 2, 2019 • 5 min read

Are There Natural Alternatives to Chemical Insect Repellents? article image

Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus, 2 percent soybean oil, citronella, or cedar have been shown to have an effect against insect bites. However, the duration of action of these products is typically less than two hours, comparable to a product containing 10 percent DEET.

If you are going to use these products, be sure to reapply them frequently. Other natural alternatives such as B1 or garlic have not been shown to be effective.

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