Stephanie Tourles was interviewed for part of a natural mosquito repellent article that just came out in Eating Well magazine, August 20, 2020 The article promotes Naturally Bug-Free. Here is an excerpt from the article below. To read the article in it's entirety, click here.
These Natural Sprays, Oils and Plants *Actually* Help Repel Mosquitoes Plus, the best tips and tricks to keep skeeters away naturally.
Veronica Meewes
There are certainly many natural bug sprays on the market, all made with a variety of different essential oils that purport to repel mosquitoes. A 2019 report in the Journal of Medical Entomology found five essential oils provided some protection by masking human odor: spearmint, garlic, lemongrass, cinnamon and peppermint. In her book Naturally Bug-Free, herbalist Stephanie Tourles shares repellent recipes using lavender, geranium and eucalyptus. In order to work outside of a lab setting, essential oils must always be blended with a carrier oil (like coconut, olive or sesame) so they are released into the air more slowly and don't irritate your skin.
How to Naturally Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Cut the Cheese
"Lactic acid is a big draw for mosquitoes, so consider cutting down on yogurt, milk and cheese," advises Tourles in Naturally Bug-Free. "Your body naturally produces lactic acid, but when you eat dairy products, you excrete more of it, making you more desirable."