How To Use Vitamin B1 As A Mosquito Repellent

It is estimated that more than 750,000 people die each year from diseases caused by mosquito bites.  While several chemical repellents and insecticides exist, there are also more natural and beneficial options. For example, vitamin B1 can be used as a mosquito repellent.

Mosquitoes live all over the world. It is not a place in the north or south that is not infested by mosquitoes. In the past, the larvae of mosquitoes did not survive the cold. But thanks to the fact that winters are warmer now, the larvae do survive. Thus, many reach the adult form. Mosquitoes that want to bite everyone.

Most commercial repellents and insecticides contain chemical compounds that can endanger human health. This threatens the health of children in particular. However, these products fail to contain mosquito populations. They continue to grow and bite millions of people all over the world.

The Enemy: Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are attracted to chemicals released from the human body. Up to 45 meters away, mosquitoes can ‘smell’ the odor that comes from bacteria we have on our skin.

They also like substances like lactic acid, ammonia, carboxylic acid and octenol. We excrete these substances while breathing and by sweating.

As you may know, female mosquitoes are most interested in human blood. This is because they need iron and protein to lay their eggs. For male mosquitoes, humans are not so attractive.

Diseases arising from mosquito bites

Once mosquitoes bite people, they can cause various diseases. Millions of people on the planet have already been affected by:

• Yellow fever
• Malaria
• Dengue fever
• Chikungunya
• Zika
• Lymphatic Filariasis or Elephant Disease
• West Nile Disease

The most important measure against these diseases is preventive. You must avoid being bitten. Once a person is infected, he should basically rest. He should also drink plenty of fluids and wait for the symptoms to subside.

There are no vaccines for most of these diseases, except for yellow fever. The same applies to the existence of functional treatments. Good medicines are only available for malaria and elephantiasis.

While these diseases are not fatal, they are especially dangerous for:

• babies
• young children up to 5 years old
• pregnant women
• elderly
• people with diseases that affect the immune system

Commercial Repellents and DEET

Using vitamin B1 as a mosquito repellent is an excellent option. However, commercial repellents are still recommended. These agents contain DEET (diethyl-meta-toluenamide). This substance is extremely effective against mosquitoes. In fact, the World Health Organization recommends the use of DEET.

In general, a product containing 20 to 30% DEET can deter mosquitoes. However, there are also products that contain concentrations of up to 100%.

This danger can be even greater in children. Their skin is thinner. As a result, it has a greater ability to absorb elements of the environment. Unfortunately, this means that DEET can have more of an impact on their developing nervous systems. It is not a good idea to use chemical repellents on babies.

Possible problems that can be caused by exposure to DEET include:

• Amnesia
• Headache
• Damaged brain cells
• Tremors
• Epileptic attacks
• Skin irritation, hives and blisters
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hypotension
• Breathing problems
• Pain, irritation and watery eyes

Vitamin B1 as a natural repellent

Vitamin B1 as a mosquito repellent works through its solubility in water. So if we take a higher dose than the body needs, it leaves the body through urine, skin and sweat.

Even if you use high doses, it poses no risk to pregnant women. This also applies to women who are breastfeeding or young children. That is why the use of vitamin B1 is a very effective measure to repel mosquitoes.

Usage

To reap the benefits of vitamin B1, these are the recommendations:

• Take a supplement of 100 milligrams of vitamin B1 and also take a vitamin B supplement.
• Dissolve a vitamin B pill in a body lotion or cream. Then apply it to exposed skin. This mixture can also be used on babies.
• Increase your consumption of foods rich in vitamin B1, such as yeast, oats, brown rice, asparagus, liver and eggs.
• In addition, it is also helpful to increase your garlic consumption to obtain vitamin B1 as a repellent.
• Apply other natural repellents, which are also unpleasant for mosquitoes. We are talking, for example, about essential oils of eucalyptus and lemon, cinnamon, vanilla and citronella.

Other preventive measures

• Avoid breeding grounds.
• Empty each container of standing water, because that’s where the larvae grow.
• Wear close-fitting light-colored clothing.
• Use screens on windows and hang a mosquito net over the beds and cots.
• Calendula flowers emit an unpleasant odor to mosquitoes. So it’s a good idea to have a few plants nearby.
• Light candles or oils made from citronella or camphor.