No one wants to be eaten alive by mosquitoes during the summer months – but you may also not want to use store-bought sprays containing DEET, a pesticide which, if you use it for long enough, can give you headaches, rashes, affect your memory or cause muscle weakness. There are several plants that are very effective mosquito repellents, and they don’t have the side effects of DEET sprays.

Some gardeners say that running their hands through geranium plants protects them from mosquitoes. The citrosa geranium, which some call the mosquito plant, contains small amounts of citronellal, a natural substance similar to citronella oil, the latter of which is often used in candles that repel mosquitoes. The citrosa geranium and other rose-scented geraniums contain citronellal and geranial, which is also thought to ward off mosquitoes.

Lemon balm is also a great natural mosquito repellant. It contains citronellal and geranial. Some nurseries now sell lemon balm plants that have higher levels of essential oils in them. To use this plant as mosquito repellent, crush a handful of leaves in your hand, and rub them on your skin.

Catnip is another natural way to keep mosquitoes off your skin. According to a study conducted at Iowa State University, nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip, may even be better at repelling mosquitoes than DEET – researchers found it was about 10 times more effective. You can make a natural catnip mosquito repellent in several different ways. First, you can use the leaves like lemon balm, and rub them on your skin. You can also tuck catnip leaves into your neckline and the waist of your pants, as well as into a hat.

To make an oil-based infusion of catnip, finely chop its leaves and stems, and heat them in olive oil for two to three hours in a 200-degree oven. Alternatively, add the chopped stems and leaves to 100-proof vodka, and let the mixture sit in a jar for six weeks. You’ll need to plan ahead and make this concoction before summer, so you can use it throughout the warmer months.

Source: Kate Seldman, GrannyMed.com