Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. With the onset of monsoons, fevers like dengue, chikungunya, malaria and zika are on the rise. Prevention is inarguably better than cure when it comes to these mosquito-borne fevers. The Aedes mosquito, which prowls during the morning hours, generally bite on the extremities. One way to prevent getting bitten is to wear long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants. But despite precautions, the mosquitoes can still find a way to bite. Natural oils such as soybean, lavender and eucalyptus are potent at driving mosquitoes away. These best mosquito-repellent oils is a natural way to keep mosquitoes at bay.

1. Soybean Oil

Soybean oil is one of the best oils for driving mosquitoes away, especially the dengue-causing Aedes aegypti. Many commercially bought mosquito repellents have soyabean oil as the active ingredient. Dengue Fever Symptoms: Warning Signs of the Vector-Borne Disease You Should NEVER Ignore.

2. Cinnamon Oil

Cinnamon oil has a dual effect on mosquitos. According to a Taiwanese study, the oil not only kills mosquito eggs in stagnant water but can also offer protection against mosquito bites.

3. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

Lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the best remedies against dengue-causing mosquitoes. The oil is an active ingredient in many mosquito repellents. Why Some People Are More Prone To Dengue Than The Others? Expert Speaks.

4. Geranium Oil

Geranium oil is extracted from the geranium flower. It’s one of the best oils to use for keeping mosquitoes away. Use it diluted in a carrier oil or with other mosquito repellent oils for best results.

5. Citronella Oil

The commonest known natural mosquito repellent is citronella. The strong-scented oil can be diluted and applied on the skin to keep mosquitoes at bay.

6. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil can be used not only for promoting sound sleep but also for driving away mosquitoes. Its strong and pleasing fragrance can repel mosquitoes and prevent bites.

For best results, use these oils in combination. For example, combining eucalyptus oil with citronella will have a better effect on repelling mosquitoes. If you don’t want to apply them on your skin, you can also use them in your diffuser to vaporise the oil.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2019 03:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).