- 1. Foods rich in vitamin B1
- 2. Essential oils that protect the skin
- 3. Candles and plants that keep mosquitoes away
- 4. Repellent adhesive
- 5. Repellent bracelet
Mosquito bites are unpleasant and can cause diseases like dengue, Zika and Chikungunya, which can compromise health and well-being, so it is important to apply a repellent to keep these diseases away.
A good option is to use natural repellents daily, invest in plants that keep insects away and in foods that contain vitamin B1 which, when ingested, causes the body to release substances that keep mosquitoes away.
1. Foods rich in vitamin B1
One way to repel insects is to consume foods rich in vitamin B1, such as pork, sunflower seeds or Brazil nuts. This is a great alternative to natural repellent, especially for people who are allergic to insect bites and industrialized repellents, but in any case it is also convenient to use a natural topical repellent.
Watch the video of our nutritionist and check out how to consume this vitamin:
Another way to guarantee vitamin B1 intake is to use a vitamin supplement guided by a nutritionist.
2. Essential oils that protect the skin
Another option of natural repellent, to apply on the skin, are the essential oils of citronella, copaiba and andiroba.
- Citronella oil: put between 6 to 8 drops of citronella oil in the bath water, or apply it directly on the skin, diluted with almond oil, grape or chamomile; Copaiba oil: add 6 drops of Copaiba essential oil to 2 tablespoons of calendula oil and apply to the skin; Andiroba oil: apply the oil directly to the skin, until it is completely absorbed.
These oils should be used in conjunction with a vitamin B1 rich diet to ward off mosquitoes and can be used on children over 2 months of age and pregnant women, without harming health. It is recommended to apply these oils quite often, in order to be effective, as essential oils evaporate very quickly.
3. Candles and plants that keep mosquitoes away
The citronella candles and plant pots that have more intense smells, such as mint, rosemary or basil, in addition to being used to season food, also help to ward off mosquitoes. Therefore, always having potted plants that are naturally repellent at home can help keep Aedes Aegypti away, protecting against diseases.
The use of these natural repellents is an excellent strategy to keep mosquitoes away, without causing damage to the environment or health problems, and can even replace the use of industrialized insecticides that are generally used to fight mosquitoes and other insects inside the home.
4. Repellent adhesive
There are citronella patches for sale in pharmacies, drugstores and on the internet, which are placed over the baby's clothes, stroller or crib, to keep insects away. They are safe to use and do not harm the environment. These adhesives protect an area of approximately 1 meter away and last for about 8 hours, but it is good to check the packaging of each product because it can vary from one brand to another.
5. Repellent bracelet
Another possibility is to wear a bracelet with repellent action that contains essential oils that keep mosquitoes away. They work in the same way as adhesives, lasting up to 30 days and can be used by people of all ages, including babies. However, one must be aware, because its effectiveness is lower than that of chemical repellents.
Find out which industrial repellents are approved by ANVISA.
