Anecdotes are not data, of course, but my mosquito bite-riddled hide begged to differ with my grandmother's (and apparently, some scientists') belief that Avon's "Skin So Soft" worked as insect repellent back in the 1990s.
Ha my grandma had that when I was growing up too. We'd spray it on when we went camping. Can't say I've ever known it to work, when we went fishing we'd always lather ourselves in DEET instead.
I'm very hopeful some of these safe Deet alternatives become products. If you need a mosquito repellent, stand next to me and you won't get a single bite (my family is very appreciative).
I know a young man, camped with him 100 times (Boy Scouts), who does not get bit by mosquitoes. Think about that. If he could bottle whatever it is, he would be a billionaire.
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[ 4.4 ms ] story [ 55.8 ms ] thread[0] - http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/r050428.htm
I can tell you that skin-so-soft definitely works against no-see-ums (or midges). It doesnt seem to have any effect at all on mosquitos.
I sprayed the oil on a table covered in both mosquitos and no-see-ums. the mosquitos flew away and the no-see-ums all died right where they were.
I hope WP is right.
Geraniol, linalool, and citronella compared (candles and diffusers, albeit indoors). Geraniol appeared most effective.
More by many of the same researchers: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20836800