Some people especially parents, may find DDT repellants like Off! effective, yet unsafe for children. However many so-called natural mosquito repellents as alternatives don't repel any mosquitoes, save for some that are backed by reputable research and are proven to really work.
And why shouldn’t natural and herbal remedies for mosquitoes work? Mosquitoes are natural predators. They have complex ways of detecting hosts and react to different stimuli. The best natural and herbal remedies for mosquitoes would still be to not to get bitten. Making sure you aren't attracting mosquitoes, using attractants to lure mosquitoes elsewhere, using a natural repellant – these though are not at all easy and have effectiveness and effects that are difficult to make certain. Yet the try is still worth the try.
There are things and activities that attract mosquitoes. Among these are carbon dioxide, lactic acid, body-heat, and fruit or floral scents. The first three are all produced by the body when exercising, nervous, eating certain foods (those high in potassium and salt), or cause by high-temperature or hot weather condition. These allow the body to emit scents and reveal a certain sense of ‘yummy-ness’ to blood- sucking mosquitoes. Yes, they use scent to spot their victims much as most other carnivores. Fruit or floral scents only comes to feeding mosquitoes as female mosquitoes still prefer protein-rich blood to sustain their reproductive need. All these can be used as effective natural and herbal remedies for mosquitoes that can be observed either by avoiding them or making use of as bait to lure mosquitoes away.
There are also natural products that effectively repel mosquitoes. Although they require more frequent reapplication (at least every 2 hours) these volatile oils may still be of use especially those that contain multiple repellent ingredients. Among these natural and herbal remedies for mosquitoes are Citronella Oil, Castor Oil, Rosemary Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Cedar Oil, Peppermint Oil, Clove Oil, Neem Tree Oil, Geranium Oil, Fennel Oil and possibly oils from Verbena, Thyme, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Cinnamon, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, Aloe Vera, Eucalyptus, Citronella, and Garlic. Also another of the natural and herbal remedies for mosquitoes is the pyrethrum. Although not essentially a repellant oil but a sap substance derived from the flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium, the pyrethrum proves to be an efficient insecticide. Celery extracts are also used as natural repellants.
While these natural and herbal remedies for mosquitoes may be beneficial, one must still take into account that their natural and herbal properties don’t automatically mean they are completely safe. Although providing a better alternative to harsh synthetic chemicals, some of these may in fact be toxic for people who are sensitive to natural plant oils.