CDC confirms lemon eucalyptus oil as effective as toxic DEET for repelling bugs

DEET, while amazingly effective at warding off mosquitoes, comes with its own dangers.

It's a neurotoxin.  Found in most conventional, over-the-counter insect repellents, it can enter your bloodstream if it comes into contact with your skin.  Children with DEET toxicity have reported lethargy, headaches, tremors, involuntary movements, seizures, and convulsions.

It is, then, a refreshing admittance that lemon eucalyptus oil is as effective as this toxin in repelling mosquitoes.

"Oil of lemon eucalyptus [active ingredient: p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant- based repellent, is also registered with EPA. In two recent scientific publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET," according to the article on Mattermore.

Finding natural solutions and substitutions for heavy chemicals and toxins is extremely important and being able to research them on the internet has allowed us to swiftly rectify any time this is the case.  Businesses and organizations have begun selling lemon eucalyptus oil repellents and the non-toxic movement has taken off.

Image Credit: dr relling