Antonio Mcgowan
Incense, or mosquito sticks, is a popular way to repel insects, especially mosquitoes. These sticks are plant-based and DEET-free, using natural ingredients like citronella, rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass, cedarwood, and bamboo to ward off insects. While the efficacy of these natural ingredients is often debated, many people prefer them to traditional bug sprays. Additionally, certain scents like lavender, lemon balm, and eucalyptus are known to be unpleasant to insects, while others like rose and beer can attract them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Insects attracted to | Body heat, body odour, sweat, perfumes, deodorants, lotions, laundry detergent, bacteria in socks, beer, sugary drinks, rosewater spray |
| Insect repellents | Citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon balm, lavender, clove oil, basil, rosemary, lemongrass, cedarwood, bamboo, mosquito sticks, mosquito traps |
| Insect repellents with side effects | Peppermint oil, rose geranium, citronella oil, clove oil, lime |
| Insect attractants to avoid | Socks, heels, beer, sugary drinks, rosewater spray |
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a mosquito repellent
Mosquitoes are a nuisance, especially during the summer months. Fortunately, there are several mosquito repellents available, including sprays, candles, and incense sticks.
Incense sticks are a popular, natural, and DEET-free alternative to traditional mosquito repellents. They are made from plant-based ingredients and essential oils that mosquitoes find irritating or unpleasant. One such example is citronella, which is a common ingredient in mosquito repellent products and has a lemon-like citrusy scent. It can be found in the form of candles, incense sticks, or applied directly to the skin. Other natural ingredients that are known to repel mosquitoes include peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cedarwood.
Murphy's Mosquito Sticks, for instance, are plant-based incense sticks that use a combination of citronella, rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass, cedarwood, and bamboo to ward off mosquitoes. They have been tested at New Mexico State University's Molecular Vector Physiology Lab, where it was found that they successfully decreased the likelihood of a human getting bitten for up to two and a half hours.
It is important to note that while incense sticks can be effective in repelling mosquitoes, their efficacy is often debated among experts. Additionally, most incense sticks are intended for outdoor use only due to their concentrated blend.
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Natural vs chemical repellents
Insect repellent products are available in a variety of forms, including candles, sprays, and incense sticks. While some people prefer natural, plant-based repellents, others opt for chemical repellents like DEET and picaridin.
Natural insect repellents often contain essential oils or plant-based ingredients such as lemongrass, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender. These ingredients can be used in candles, planted in gardens, or applied directly to the skin to deter insects. For example, the lemon-scented herb lemon balm, a member of the mint family, is unappealing to mosquitoes but pleasant to humans, bees, and butterflies. Similarly, mosquitoes are repelled by the pungent scent of lavender.
On the other hand, chemical insect repellents contain synthetic ingredients designed to repel insects. One popular option is DEET, which is effective at deterring insects but may be irritating to the eyes and skin. Another option, picaridin, is endorsed by the CDC and the WHO and has been found to repel mosquitoes and ticks for up to 12 hours. It is considered safer than DEET, with fewer potential side effects and a lower risk of inhalation toxicity. IR3535 is another chemical repellent similar in structure to a naturally occurring amino acid. It has been used in Europe for decades and is now registered for use in the US as well.
While natural insect repellents may appeal to those seeking "green" alternatives, their effectiveness is often debated, and they may not provide the same level of protection as chemical repellents. For example, in CR's insect repellent testing, repellents containing plant-based ingredients like lemongrass oil, citronella oil, and soybean oil were rated less effective than those with synthetic ingredients. However, it is worth noting that the top-rated repellents in their ratings were registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is not a requirement for botanical repellents since the agency does not consider their ingredients to pose serious safety risks.
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Scents that attract mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are attracted to a variety of scents, some of which we can control and others that are beyond our control.
Mosquitoes are attracted to scents produced by humans, such as body odour, sweat, and carboxylic acids produced by bacteria on the skin, like butyric acid, which is present in "stinky" cheeses. They are also attracted to sweet and fruity scents, carbon dioxide, and lactic acid, which is released when we sweat, especially during exercise or when pregnant. Additionally, alcohol consumption can make us more attractive to mosquitoes as it increases ethanol levels in our sweat and raises our body temperature.
While we cannot control the release of lactic acid during exercise or the production of carbon dioxide during pregnancy, we can take measures to minimise these attractions. This includes maintaining good hygiene to reduce lingering sweat and avoiding heavily sweet-scented products. Wearing loose clothing can also help, as mosquitoes are known for biting through fabric.
Some scents that attract mosquitoes and are within our control include lotions, perfumes, and other scented products. Dark-coloured clothing can also make us more attractive to mosquitoes as it helps retain body heat, leading to increased sweating.
Understanding these scent attractions can help us take preventative measures to minimise mosquito encounters and protect ourselves from mosquito-borne diseases.
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Using incense sticks
Incense sticks are aromatic biotic materials that release fragrant smoke when burned. The most common form of incense used today is the stick incense, which comes in two varieties: one with a core in the centre and the other without. The incense cone, another popular variety, does not have a supporting centre. Instead, the fragrant material is pressed into a small cone shape. The dense area of fragrant material produces a strong scent but does not last as long as a stick. Japanese incense is also core-less and needs to be held in a bowl filled with sand or a heat-resistant dish to safely extinguish it.
To use an incense stick, you can either light it while holding it or place it in an incense burner. If you are using an incense burner, hold one end of the stick and place the other end in the burner, keeping it steady and angled upwards. Once lit, gently blow out the flame to encourage the stick to produce glowing ash and release its scent. Incense sticks typically burn for 20-40 minutes, depending on their thickness, length, and quality. For example, a 21cm-long and 1.5-2mm-thick incense stick will burn for approximately 40 minutes. Shorter Japanese incense sticks, typically 10-15cm in length, will burn for 20-30 minutes.
If you only want to burn the incense for a short period, such as during a 15-minute meditation session or 10 minutes of reading, you can extinguish the stick halfway through and save the remainder for your next session. To do this, press the lit tip of the stick against a heat-resistant surface until the piece with the ember breaks off. Avoid using water to put out the incense, as it can affect the quality and future burns. Always allow the remnants of the incense stick and the incense burner to cool down before touching them, as they may still be hot.
Incense sticks have been used in ancient cultures for decades, including in India, Egypt, and China. They are often used to scent homes, enhance spiritual practices, and create a calming atmosphere. The fragrances can aid in relaxation, meditation, and yoga practices. Incense sticks are usually made from natural materials, such as resins, barks, seeds, flowers, roots, leaves, and spices. The scent of the incense stick is released when the heat energizes the aromatic molecules, allowing them to fill the surrounding space.
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Other insect-repelling plants
Incense sticks are a DEET-free alternative to traditional bug sprays and mosquito sprays. These repellent incense sticks are plant-based and use a combination of citronella, rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass, cedarwood, and bamboo to ward off mosquitoes.
Basil
Basil is one of the world's most popular culinary herbs and is excellent at repelling insects. It repels asparagus beetles, aphids, tomato hornworms, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and thrips. It also attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden. Basil contains four volatile compounds that deter mosquitoes: estragole, citronellal, limonene, and nerolidol. It is pungent and effective even without needing to be crushed. You can also use fresh basil to make an insect repellent spray.
Borage
Borage is a spreading annual with bright blue, star-shaped flowers. It deters cabbage worms and tomato hornworms and acts as a slug and snail trap, protecting your vegetables. It also attracts beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and lacewings, which prey on garden pests.
Calendula
Calendula is a hardy annual with aromatic foliage and daisy-like flowers. It deters asparagus beetles and tomato hornworms and is also a mosquito repellent. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are drawn to the flowers.
Catnip
Catnip is a perennial plant with aromatic, gray-green, toothed leaves and small white flowers spotted with violet. It repels ants, aphids, cabbage loopers, Colorado potato beetles, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, weevils, mosquitoes, and cockroaches.
Chives
Chives are a popular culinary herb grown for their mild onion flavor and pretty flowers. Chive flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while their onion scent helps deter carrot flies, Japanese beetles, and aphids.
Other plants that can help repel mosquitoes include lemon balm, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense sticks with scents like citronella, rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass, cedarwood, and bamboo are known to keep mosquitoes away.
Yes, plants like lemon balm, lavender, peppermint, and basil are known to repel mosquitoes and other insects.
Yes, natural oils like citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and clove oil are effective insect repellents.
Yes, mosquitoes are attracted to body heat, body odour, and sweat. Opting for breezy sandals over shoes and light-coloured clothing can help keep insects away.
Yes, insects are attracted to the scent of roses and perfumes, deodorants, lotions, and laundry detergents.
