Making sense of bug-prone scents

[Guest guest]

Making sense of bug-prone scents

By _Debra Bass_ (dbass)

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Thursday, Jul. 13 2006

 

When it comes to my favorite summer fragrance, it depends on the occasion.

If I’

m outdoors in the early evening the first thing I reach for isn’t perfume —

it’

s bug repellent.

 

Mosquitoes are most active at dusk, but they enjoy a little breakfast snack

at

dawn as well, according to Michael Rottler, president of the locally owned

Rottler Pest and Lawn Solutions. He said that mosquitoes, yellow jackets and

bees have a complex sense of smell — although he’s not sure it’s anything

like

our sense of smell — that

allows them to hone in on prey.

 

Rottler said that there’s no conclusive evidence to explain why some people,

such as him, are prone to mosquito and deer fly attacks, while others walk

around unscathed. But there are effective repellents that work with everyone’

s

body chemistry.

 

The U.S. Army uses DEET (Diethyl-meta-toluamide) — more than 25 percent

concentration is the most effective repellent. The chemical has been a top

mosquito-shooing agent for about 40 years. Unfortunately, it smells like you’

ve

just been fumigated. And once you apply the stuff, it is unmistakable and

generally unpleasant.

 

Also when dealing with DEET, you have to remember not to touch food or wipe

your eyes. If you mistakenly rub the stuff in, be sure to wash exposed areas

as

soon as possible. Ditto if it gets onto your clothes.

 

For many, it’s a small price to pay for being mosquito-bite free. Still,

there

are actually many pleasant aromas that also make good repellents.

 

Certain fragrances do seem to attract pests, especially intense fruity and

floral ones, but that may not apply to mosquitoes.

 

Despite the fact that they aren’t scientifically guaranteed, homeopathic

scents

are great for warding off bugs without having to smell like you’ve taken a

flea

dip. In

general, holistic recommendations include crisp, ocean or almondy scents.

One

biologist suggests the benefits of amaretto.

 

My favorite bug-off scent is Burt’s Bees’ “The Defenderâ€: Herbal Insect

Repellent (4 oz., $7.50, available at grocery and health food stores). The

most

prominent smell is lemongrass, so if you’re not a fan, this isn’t going to

be

the right scent for you, but I think it smells positively yummy. It also

contains small but equal parts citronella and rosemary as well as vitamin E

and

grapeseed oil — good skin-protecting qualities — which is a plus when the

heat

is on.

 

The mixture is safe for kids and pets and it’s worked like a charm for me,

but

it is a bit oily and feels somewhat like something a masseuse would slather

on

you. It doesn’t stain clothing, if you wait for it to dry before dressing.

 

The only real problem I’ve had with the oil is not applying it thoroughly.

You

can’t skip the hairline or sock line because, mosquitoes are wily and

sadistic.

 

California Baby has a Citronella Bug Repellent Lotion (6.5 oz. $10, Whole

Foods) that is also DEET-free. This lotion contains a “special proprietary

essential oil blend.†Its aromas of eucalyptus and lemongrass are familiar,

but

they’re not as prominent as the Burt’s Bees concoction.

 

The light Citronella lotion is also non-greasy because it’s made for babies,

kids and sensitive adults. It has the added benefit of aloe vera and yucca

to

soothe prior bites. I wore it on a riverboat trip and emerged unscathed.

 

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the most popular non-DEET

repellent,

Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard (Avon, 4 ounces, $4.99), which now includes

sunblock. As a bonus, it is available unscented.