Opinion On Organic Mosquito Control

Q: A friend sent me the ingredients a mosquito control company is pushing for a organic mosquito control. They include rosemary oil, clove oil, cedar oil and peppermint oil They seem harmless enough which makes me think the treatment is ineffective. Your opinion?

A: Some, but not all, essential oils like these have been shown to repel mosquitoes. I found research supporting the use of citronellal, α-pinene, and limonene but my search was not exhaustive. Sometimes the combination of different essential oils works better than any one by itself. They are not required to be proven to be effective. Essential oils are allowed to be sold for mosquito control because they are generally regarded as safe to humans. In your friend’s case, I guess the proof is in the pudding. If she sees fewer mosquitoes, the company can be deemed to have done its job. In any case, her lawn will smell better than all of her neighbor’s!