Old Studies New Results: Vitamin B Supplements To Prevent Mosquito Bites
Vitamins B1 and B12 became marginally popular repellents in the 1960s, after a study concluded that taking oral supplements three times a day successfully repelled mosquitoes.
The study alleged that the reason mosquitoes are more attracted to some people than others has to do with skin odor , and claimed that B vitamins create a skin odor that is offensive to mosquitoes.
However, later studies, which were performed by more stringent, modern standards, found that vitamin B supplements had little to no effect on mosquito bites in subjects.
Currently, the American Mosquito Control Association does not recommend using Vitamin B as a mosquito repellent. They even specifically state that it is not an acceptable or efficacious way to ward off mosquitoes.
How To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Home
Learn how to safeguard your home, lawn and landscape from mosquitoes.
As anyone who has ever spent a summer evening in the open air knows, mosquitoes are a nuisance. With their whining buzz and relentless search for blood, they can drive even the hardiest outdoor lovers indoors with ease. They can also pose a health risk. From the Zika and West Nile viruses to yellow fever and malaria, diseases spread by mosquitoes can be extremely serious and sometimes even deadly.
Learning how to control mosquitoes is an important step toward safeguarding your home, lawn, and landscape, and Ortho® Home Defense® has a line of products that provides outdoor mosquito control in a few easy steps. Follow these tips to repel and control mosquitoes and help prevent future problems.
How Do I Stop Getting Bitten
How to prevent and treat bug bites
In this article, learn about the best natural mosquito repellents and how they work.
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Do B Vitamins Keep Mosquitoes Away
Word has it this is going to be a horrendous year for mosquitoes. Great! Besides rain, nothing ruins a beautiful summers eve on the patio more than mosquitoes especially if you live in Wisconsin the home of July, August, and winter! I dread mosquitos, not just because theyre annoying, but because Im highly sensitive to their bite Ive also had Lyme Disease and know that many respected Lyme literate doctors believe mosquitoes can spread Lyme. So, protecting myself from bug bites is a big deal the problem is finding a repellent that works but wont harm me in the process . The information you find on the internet can be conflicting but there is anecdotal evidence to support it. So heres a look at some of the more natural repellents along with a few products, and you can decide what works for you!
Quinn On Nutrition: Does Vitamin B
As I sit here scratching a mosquito bite, I’m suddenly interested in a recent question from a patient. Do vitamin B-1 supplements repel mosquitos? Here’s what I learned:
Mosquitos transmit several diseases, including malaria and West Nile virus. And they find their hosts mostly by their sense of smell, say experts. Thus, most effective repellents worknot by killing mosquitos with chemicalsbut by preventing them from wanting to come close to you in the first place.
Why do some people naturally attract mosquitos and others don’t? We all have natural chemistries that produce odors that are either attractive or repugnant to mosquitos. Pests are also drawn to sweet scents such as floral perfume, report some studies.
The theory with vitamin B-1 is that it changes the chemistry of the blood and alters one’s smell to make it less attractive to mosquitos.
But does it work?
A fascinating study in the Journal of Insect Science by researchers in the Department of Biology at New Mexico State University recruited brave volunteers to subject their hands to hungry mosquitos after using a variety of insect repellants . Here are their results:
Repellants with DEET reduced the attractiveness of the volunteers’ hands to mosquitos by the largest margin. Rather than killing them, DEET makes it hard for biting bugs to smell us, says the Environmental Protection Agency . It is safe for use on adults and children.
So there you have it. Eat well. Live well. And use a reliable insect repellent.
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Topical Vitamin B1 Vs Oral Pills:
A. Vitamin B1 has been controversial as a mosquito repellent. Many people, like you, report benefit from oral doses. However, a study found it did not keep mosquitoes from biting . Scientists have rarely studied whether taking vitamin B1 orally is effective as a mosquito repellent. One trial we found dates back many years and reached similarly discouraging conclusions .
On the other hand, a tiny pilot study demonstrated that thiamine hydrochloride works as a topical mosquito repellent .
The researchers conclude:
This finding can be supported by future works in which a proper formulation of thiamine hydrochloride in the respective doses would be presented. One can get prolonged safe protection against insect bites.
Mosquito Mythbusting: Will The Real Repellents Please Stand Up
Scientists separate fact from fiction to help protect you from bug bites.
May 5, 2010 — It’s that time of year again.
Beachside
barbecues, afternoon patio parties, outdoor lawn games — and the irksome
insects that can spoil it all.
When the
mosquito wars begin, anything can look like a weapon to itchy outdoor enthusiasts. But experts say many home remedies are mostly sizzle and little substance.
To separate
mosquito fact from fiction, ABCNews.com spoke to several scientists. Take a look at what they had to say.
Garlic: Is there an old wives’ tale that doesn’t feature garlic? According to lore, the pungent-smelling plant can do everything from cure the common cold to help determine a baby’s sex to ward off witches.
But though some believe garlic has powerful bug-repellent properties, mosquito control experts say it isn’t very strong.
“Garlic is a classic,” said Joe Conlon, technical advisor for the American Mosquito Control Association. Some think that eating garlic could keep mosquitoes away, but he said studies have not shown that ingesting garlic reduces bug bites.
“As in most myths though, there is an element of truth in them,” he said. “If you take garlic and squeeze it on your skin, that portion of your skin will be repellent to mosquitoes for about 20-40 minutes.”
But, then again, he added, you’d be repellent to most everything else too.
Vitamin B: Can vitamin B tablets make you a less tasty treat to the biting menaces? Probably not.
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Why Not Use Deet
The compound known as DEET, aka N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, and now called N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, is the gold standard for mosquito repellents . That is why we suggest using it when mosquito bites might transmit a potentially lethal disease.
On the other hand, readers have reported that DEET can kill grass and dissolve super glue. Many people are concerned that it poses dangers to children.
Although DEET can keep mosquitoes from biting, so can picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus . In fact, these topical repellents are better than DEET at protecting people from ticks, blackflies, midges and sandflies. Perhaps someday soon, topical thiamine hydrochloride will join the list of effective alternatives to DEET.
Prevent Future Mosquito Problems
Eliminate standing water.
Many female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Since it only takes about a week for a mosquito to go from egg to adult, getting rid of the standing water on your property can help reduce the number of mosquitoes that will plague your next backyard barbeque.
- Empty water that has collected in childrens toys, garden pots, buckets, trash can lids, wheelbarrows, or other items lying around that could collect water.
- Inspect gutters for clogs and clean them regularly to prevent water collection.
- If you have a birdbath, change the water regularly.
- Walk your property and address any low spots in the lawn that collect water or areas that have poor drainage.
Clean up debris.
A kiddie pool isnt the only thing that can provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Some types of mosquitoes lay their eggs in damp soil or debris, such as decaying logs and leaf piles, so be sure to clear them away. Remember to remove leaves and other debris from gutters, too. If you continue to have a problem with mosquitoes and have a lot of shade in your yard, you may want to consider having your trees trimmed to increase light levels and make your landscape less habitable to these pests.
Plant mosquito-repelling plants.
- Citronella
- Lemongrass
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Will Vitamin B1 Keep Mosquitoes From Biting You
Mosquitoes are persistent insects. They are everywhere, from Maine to Alaska. In fact, Alaska Tour & Travel states: Half-jokingly known as the Alaska state bird, mosquitos are a fact of summertime life in Alaska. The good news in Alaska is that the peak season for mosquitoes is shorter than in many other states. For most people, mosquitoes can bite from mid-April until late-October. With climate change, though, mosquitoes could linger through November. Is there any way to keep mosquitoes from biting? That is a question many readers keep asking.
Natural Mosquito Repellents From Supplements
You now know that many of these diseases have no cure so prevention is your only solution. The CDC recommends DEET as your number one protection against mosquito bites.
However, as with any chemicals, there can be major drawbacks to using DEET.
Here are just some of the dangerous side effects that can happen when you use a chemical solution versus a natural mosquito repelling supplement
- Skin rashes
- Illness
- Possible coma
Luckily there are quite a few natural solutions to help you and your family combat these little bugs.
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Vitamin B12 For Mosquitos How Much
How much vitamin B12 do you take and what strength?
Some weak Vitamin B tablets need to be taken three times a day.
We bought the Natures Own Vitamin B1 100mg which we only took once a day. We still used spray and the bites were SIGNIFICANTLY less.
Thanks for the reminder I had forgotten that we will need to start taking them 2 weeks before we go
Vitamin B-12 is used to treat anemia, so if anything it will increase your attractiveness to mosquitos. The B myth stems from studies in the 50’s that said that it made you smell bad to mosquitos. However there were further scientific studies done by University of Wisconsin in 2005 which showed that vitamin B, including B-12, had no effect on whether you would be bitten, or not.
Don’t risk dengue based on this old wives tale, please. Cover up and use a good repellent.
Edited: 9 years ago
sorry to say but we are CONVERTED 100% to vitimin B .
We heard the myth before we went last time to Bali and thought “what the heck”.
We started taking a multi B, as we could not remember which was the correct one about 2 weeks before we went .
We were invited to a party about a week before and everyone was complaining about being eaten alive with mozies. This is when we turned to each other and realized we were the only ones not being bitten !!!!!
We then went to Bali and again NO problem.
We are going in October and March, guess what we’ll be packing.
Get Your Natural Mosquito Solution Today
As you can see there are many reasons to protect you and your family from mosquitoes but DEET and other chemicals can be just as dangerous. Luckily there are many natural supplements on the market to help give you and your family a protective barrier against mosquitoes. Use them so you can avoid itching, scratches, and even worse. Get the right supplements now to make a difference this mosquito season.
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Spread Coffee And Tea Waste
Spreading tea waste throughout your yard wont keep you from being bitten, but studies have shown that they limit the reproduction of mosquitoes.
Protect your plastics! DEET and IR3535 can dissolve plastics including synthetic fabrics, glasses, and even the paint job on your car. Apply carefully to avoid damage.
Natural Ways To Prevent Mosquito Bites
When it comes to fending off itchy mosquito bites, synthetic repellents are not your only option. Find out what else works to ward off pesky mosquitoes.
Warmer weather means reveling in outdoor activities like hiking, sunbathing, and barbeques. Along with these plusses comes one tiny nuisance: mosquitos. These pesky pests, which thrive in warm weather, can put a damper on anyones summer fun. But there are ways to deter mosquitos, so you can enjoy the sunshine.
The most common method used to repel mosquitoes is DEET spray, according to a survey published in July 2018 in Peer J The Journal of Life and Environmental Sciences. DEET spray has the longest lasting effect against mosquitos, but there have been some concerns over potential side effects of the spray, including skin irritation, redness, rash, swelling. Joseph Conlon, a retired U.S. Navy entomologist and technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association, says there is no need to worry, though.
DEET is a product registered by the EPA , and poses no unreasonable risk, Conlon says. If you use it judiciously there should be no problem I mean, dont drink it.
But there are other ways to thwart mosquitoes if you dont want to use a synthetic repellent. In fact, according to the survey, 36 percent of people prefer to use natural repellents.
Here are 7 natural ways to prevent mosquito bites:
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How Do You Keep Mosquitoes Away Naturally
When it comes to keeping mosquitoes away naturally, it can be difficult to know for sure which methods work and which are simply a ruse. Rather than use DIY insect repellents, here are a few measures you can take to prevent mosquitoes naturally:
What Vitamins Help Keep Mosquitoes Away
4.3/5Vitaminmosquitoesawayawayvitaminanswered comprehensively
Vitamin B1
One may also ask, what vitamin is good for mosquitoes? One pervasive claim is that taking vitamin B, or wearing patches and other products that are infused with it, can do the trick. Studies dating to the 1960s suggest that taking small doses of the supplement three times a day during biting season helps to produce a skin odor that mosquitoes find repulsive.
Beside above, does vitamin b12 prevent mosquito bites?
Now, to answer your question, the notion that ingesting certain products like B vitamins might repel mosquitoes is common, but unfounded. Based on scientific studies I was able to dig up, B vitamins are not effective mosquito repellants, and vitamin B12, specifically, is not well-studied.
What can you eat to keep mosquitoes away?
These 7 mosquito repellent foods can be easily incorporated into your normal diet to combat your persistent insect bite problems.
- Garlic and Onions. How it works: Garlic is perhaps the most well-known food linked to deterring mosquitoes.
- Apple Cider Vinegar.
7 ways to prevent mosquito bites
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What Else Can Reduce The Risk Of Mosquito Bites
Mosquitoes can bite at any time of day, but the one that transmits Zika prefers midmorning and early evening, says Strickman. If possible, stay indoors in screened-in or air-conditioned buildings during those times.
Since these particular mosquitoes breed in standing water in containers like plant pots, old tires, buckets and trash cans, people should rid their immediate area of things that can collect water. “Swimming pools, unless they’re abandoned, are OK,” says Rey. The chemicals used to keep pools safe for swimming also keep mosquitoes away. It takes some close looking to find every possible breeding ground for mosquitoes. “I’ve seen some developing in a film of water next to a sink, or in the bottom of a glass people use to brush their teeth,” says Strickman. Cleaning up all those areas of standing water can greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes. “It’s up to individuals to make their own backyards safe,” says Rey. And their front yards and as much of their surrounding environment as possible.
The more people do that kind of basic cleanup, the fewer mosquitoes there will be. “It may not be perfect, but you’ll lower the number of mosquitoes tremendously,” says Strickman.
Why You Should Keep Mosquitoes From Biting
If the mosquitoes in your area carry serious diseases like dengue, Zika or chikungunya, you should probably invest in effective commercial repellents with DEET or picaridin and use them conscientiously. If, on the other hand, the main problem is the itchy bite itself, you might be tempted to consider another approach. We have heard from quite a few readers that vitamin B1 may help keep mosquitoes from biting.
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Why Do Mosquitoes Bite
Before we launch into a discussion on what keeps mosquitoes away, lets talk about why mosquitoes bite in the first place.
Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes do not bite because they need to feed on human blood. Mosquitoes bite in order to get enough protein to produce eggs.
The more blood they get from you, the more blood-sucking baby bugs they can spawn. Yet another reason to avoid mosquito bites!
Youve probably noticed that mosquitoes seem to prefer some people more than others. I know they love me more than anyone else in my family!
On any given outdoor excursion, you can see a cloud of mosquitoes hoovering above me and only me. I have always wondered why this is.
Some people believe mosquito attraction has to do with how many bananas or onions you eat, but research has found that it has a lot more to do with the carbon dioxide you produce.
People with high metabolisms and heavier people produce more carbon dioxide, and they are likely to get bit more.
This is not the only reason you might be more prone to mosquito bites than the guy next to you. There seem to be a variety of factors than researchers are only beginning to discover, from the amount you sweat to the temperature of your body.
Whatever the case, mosquitoes are easily attracted and hard to keep away. People have been trying for millennia to combat these tiny monsters!
