How to keep mosquitoes away effectively?

When the insects arrive in spring, choosing the right insect repellent is vital if you want to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're walking in the woods, gardening or preparing a barbecue on a camping trip, the buzz of mosquitoes and biting insects can really drive you crazy. And even more so in wetlands such as lakes, rivers and swamps, their breeding grounds.

We often feel that there are people who are the unfortunate targets of this martyrdom. What's more, the resulting itching can leave us scratching our heads for days after being bitten. 

We often use the word "mosquito" to generalize about insects, but the mosquito is the famous long-legged mosquito that appears in June and July and hides when it's very hot during the day, then comes back in force in the evening at sunset and during the night. Its incessant buzzing can make life impossible at night.

Then there are blisters, which are so small that they pass through mosquito nets, leaving us with a burning sensation. Black flies rip off a piece of skin, leaving us with a painful red swelling. And finally, the famous horse flies circle our heads when we're wet and are just as voracious, leaving us with a painful sting, etc..^{2, 3, 4, 5}

Why do we attract insects?

Insects like the CO2 we give off. It seems that some insects have receptors that detect the carbon dioxide we exhale. And the same neuron they possess is also involved in detecting our body odours. What's more, the action of estrogen could be a factor that attracts mosquitoes to women rather than men.

There is a hypothesis that people who eat sweeter food or have higher acidity levels give off more carbon dioxide. Worth watching...

We can nevertheless deduce that certain people are more attracted to certain species of insects..^{2, 3, 4, 5}

Tips to prevent and reduce bites

(If you're in the countryside, these precautions will be all the more necessary)

• Wear loose-fitting, light-colored, tightly knitted clothing (nylon and/or polyester)
• Wear long pants, long shirts and closed-toe shoes or boots.
• Wear socks and close trouser bottoms tightly
• Wear a hat with a net
• Avoid wearing perfume

At the cottage or camping in a tent:

• Have a mosquito net over your bed.^{2, 3, 4, 5}

Effective mosquito repellents

There are products that kill insects and products that repel them with aromatic active ingredients..^{2, 6, 7}

Are you familiar with Druide products made from lemon eucalyptus?

Insect repellent with lemon eucalyptus, the best summer ally

Lemon eucalyptus essential oil, whose biochemical composition is very similar to that of lemongrass, is the active ingredient in the insect repellent from Druide. It offers effective protection against insects such as mosquitoes, biting insects and deer ticks, without synthetic ingredients such as DEET.
This insect repellent feels soft to the touch after application and has a pleasant scent..^{1, 6, 7}

Our advice: spray a small amount of insect repellent on hands and apply to exposed skin, avoiding contact with eyes and mouth. Repeat every 6 hours. Wash your hands after each application. A maximum of 2 applications per day is recommended. A product for external use only.^{1, 6, 7}

Precautions: do not apply to open wounds or sores.

Citronella shampoo and shower gel

In the summer range, Druide offers a 2-in-1 shampoo and shower gel for body and hair. Protecting against insects and respecting nature are Druide's objectives. This certified organic product provides all the benefits of lemongrass and offers freshness, softness and cleanliness that last..^{1, 6, 7}

Éco Trail Lemongrass Bar Soap

In the summer kit, the Eco Trail Lemongrass Bar Soap bar soap is an essential asset for body and face hygiene. Its rich, creamy lather ensures freshness and cleanliness. It's made with natural, environmentally-friendly ingredients. This soap is ideal for bathing in the great outdoors..^{1, 6, 7}

Eco Trail eucalyptus bar soap

Le Eco Trail lemon eucalyptus bar soap is a must-have. It gently cleanses body and face, always with the utmost respect for the environment. Its light, creamy foam ensures freshness and cleanliness. Ideal for nature-lovers.  

Vegan, organic, gluten-free, GMO-free and allergen-free..^{1, 6, 7}

Eco Trail shampoo and shower gel

A 2-in-1 version with lemon eucalyptus. This ultra-gentle shower gel and shampoo will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts. It leaves skin supple, soft and fresh.^{1, 6, 7}

Eco Trail Multi-Purpose Soap

This multi-purpose soap from Druide is ideal for outdoor activities. It can be used for body and hair hygiene, as well as for washing clothes and equipment such as camping crockery. What's more, its ingredients are environmentally friendly. It has a pleasant, natural woody scent. This soap is also organic..^{1, 6, 7}

Keeping mosquitoes away: a few additional tips

• Spray your hat with insect repellent
• Avoid damp areas with stagnant water (insect breeding grounds)
• Avoid going outside when insects are most active, at dawn or dusk
• If sunscreen is used, apply it first and wait 15 minutes before adding the sunscreen. insect repellent.

Insects will be around all summer long, but their numbers will gradually diminish as the weather warms up..^{4, 6, 7}

Druide insect repellent makes a difference to a great summer outdoors! 

1. Baudoux Dominique, Aromatherapy, Dunod, 2017, 534 pages

2. https://www.numerama.com/sciences/533729-moustiques-pourquoi-certaines-personnes-se-font-elles-plus-piquer-que-dautres.html

3. https://www.noovomoi.ca/vivre/sante/article.produits-chasse-moustiques.1.1239301.html

4. https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/maladies/prevention-piqures-insectes.html

5. https://www.projetecolo.com/insectes-piqueurs-des-jardins-volants-et-suceurs-339.html

6. https://lareservezerodechet.ca/produit/chasse-insectes-eucalyptus-citronne/
7. https://druidebio.com/fr/?s=chasse+insectes&lang=fr