How Not to Be a Mosquito Target: Use This Oil

When you want to enjoy the picnic, not BE the picnic, you don't have to resort to chemical mosquito repellents, party-spoiling bug zappers, or walking around with a net over your head. Some repellents now contain oil of lemon eucalyptus (Repel makes one) and work as well as products that contain low levels of DEET. And that's not too shabby -- low levels of DEET aren't less effective, they just don't last as long as higher concentrations of that chemical.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (its chemical nickname is PMD, for para-menthane-3,8-diol) is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as a repellent, which means the EPA considers it safe and effective when used as directed. And "as directed" in this case means taking the usual precautions, such as putting it on your face by spraying it on your hands first, and then using them to apply it. Also, don't use it on kids age 3 or younger.

Mosquitoes appear to be attracted to perfumes and people drinking beer (and you think you're so evolved). As the American Mosquito Control Association, a scientific nonprofit organization, puts it, "Limburger cheese has also been found to be attractive." Scientists theorize that this may explain "the attractancy" mosquitoes have for human feet (so that's how to describe that smell!).

As for other reputed DEET alternatives, garlic and vitamin B12 do little to keep the little bloodsuckers away. However, while mosquitoes can buzz around at about 1 mile per hour, they're not the strongest flyers, so an electric fan on your deck or patio may also help prevent them from feasting on you or your guests.