What Is Citronella? And How Can It Be Used?
- person Gary Tramer
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Playing outdoors is an excellent activity that encourages your kids to enjoy nature and exercise. Bike rides, drawing with chalk, playing tag, finding worms for fishing, and catching fireflies are just a few of the ways kids love spending their time outdoors. As a caretaker or parent, you likely want to do everything possible to encourage your kiddos to love playing outside.
Unfortunately, there's a downside to their fun and games: mosquitoes. These pests can turn a fun day of rollerblading through the neighborhood into an itchy disaster. How can you protect your little ones from getting bit? Let's learn about how you can repel mosquitoes naturally, starting with citronella, a form of insect repellant.
Citronella Is a Perennial Grass
What is citronella, exactly? It's a perennial grass (similar to lemongrass) that can grow up to six feet tall and four feet wide. Naturally, it grows in Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Burma, Indonesia, and India. Did you know it is also used as a flavoring in food, beverages, and some cosmetics?
Geraniol, citronellal, and citronellol are the main components of citronella. There is also a java type and ceylon type of citronella These elements are also appropriate for soaps and disinfectants since they're usually safe for household use. Let's find out what else this grass does!
Citronella Can Also Be an Essential Oil
Essential oils are a natural product of a single plant species. While they contain the word "oil" in them, these substances usually don't feel thick like oil. They actually have a thin consistency similar to water. Essential oils are used for aromatherapy and have a variety of other health benefits. Oftentimes, you need to use a carrier oil before applying essential oils (such as rosemary essential oil) directly to your skin.
You may be wondering if all plant species produce essential oils. The answer is no; only specific plant species do. Those species that can make essential oils produce them in roots, stems, flowers, leaves, or fruits.
What about citronella essential oil? The oil of citronella is a fantastic product of nature. Citronella essential oil may promote well-being and support emotional regularity in addition to its primary use: reducing the number of mosquitoes swarming around you outside. That’s why many people like to light citronella candles or use a mosquito plant.
You might be wondering how mosquitoes could be affected by essential oils. Let's find out how!
Citronella Can Help Reduce Your Scent to Mosquitoes
Whenever mosquitos look for a place to land, they're using a sense similar to your sense of smell. As they buzz through the breeze, they find your skin through the CO2 you emit when you exhale.
Citronella essential oil can help mask your CO2 emission, so mosquitoes are more prone to pass right by you. This effect is similar to an invisibility cloak––when citronella oil is nearby, you can play outdoors for hours without worry. Plus, it’s natural and way cleaner than insecticides.
How To Keep Mosquitoes Away
Want to know how else you can shield your kids from mosquitoes? While citronella essential oil can surely help, there are a few more precautions you can take if you'd like. Let's walk through a few easy ways you can keep mosquitoes from crashing your playdates.
Monitor the Water in Your Yard
Mosquitoes love standing water. They often swarm around still water in birdbaths, outside toys, and wet, marshy areas. You can help eliminate these pests by cleaning out areas that have collected rainwater or other standing water. It may take some time and effort, but it's worth it to prevent your yard from being overrun by these insects.
Use Fans Outdoors
Here's another easy way to keep the bugs away while staying cool. If you have a box fan or oscillating fan, try plugging one up near where your children will be playing. The air circulation can help inhibit flying pests from landing near your kiddos. It's a refreshing way to try to prohibit flying insects from making a guest appearance during your outdoor activities.
Use Screens if Necessary
Do you have a screen door? Perhaps you have a screened-in porch, instead. In times when mosquitoes begin to swarm, you may want to have your kids play inside a screened-in area. The screens can stop mosquitos from accessing your kids' skin while giving them the feeling of playing outdoors. They'll get all the benefits of playing in the fresh air without painful, itchy bites.
The Best Way To Keep Mosquitoes Away: BuzzPatch Stickers
What if you don't have access to a fan or a screened-in area? How can you keep mosquitoes from finding your kids and leaving unpleasant bumps behind (and in the worst-case scenario, issues like bacteria and fevers; no thanks!).
While those options may help a little bit, your children deserve targeted protection that lasts for hours at a time. Luckily, there's one option that's better and easier than the rest: BuzzPatch Stickers!
How They Work
Our BuzzPatch stickers work by utilizing citronella and lavender essential oils on non-woven fabric that sticks to the skin. The essential oils help hide your scent from mosquitoes, so they never have a reason to land on your little ones. When you apply BuzzPatch stickers to your child's sleeves, shorts, and socks, they'll have all-natural protection from getting uncomfortable, itchy mosquito bites.
What To Do When Mosquitoes Bite
Alright, let's talk about reality. Sometimes, you may forget to put BuzzPatch stickers on your kids, leaving them exposed and vulnerable to mosquitoes. When these insects bite, what can you do to ease the itch and pain?
First, you can apply an ice pack on bites. The freezing temperatures can numb your child's skin and help reduce pain and some of the swelling from the bite.
Next, advise your little ones not to scratch the itch. Depending on how old your child is, that task may seem nearly impossible. Still, scratching these bites can increase their pain, so encourage them to abstain, if possible.
You have one more option: MagicPatch.
Use the MagicPatch for Itch Relief
After your kids show you their itchy mosquito bites, you can help ease the discomfort with our MagicPatch. Our itch relief patches are chemical-free for your peace of mind. These are great to have nearby when mosquitoes bite. They're also handy for helping soothe the inflammation of bites from midges, sandflies, and ticks.
How does this work? Our Grid-Relief Technology lifts the skin away from the muscles to help drain the lymphatic system created by mosquito saliva injected at the site of the bite. These are kinaesthetic in nature, meaning they are chemical-free. Apply one to your child's bite for support in itch relief.
Why It's Crucial To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Kids
You could be wondering why it's so important to keep mosquitoes away from your children. Doesn't everybody get mosquito bites now and then? Here's the problem. Adults usually have the self-control needed to stop themselves from scratching a mosquito bump.
Kids are different; they will likely be unable to stop scratching itchy bites. When they scratch the itch, their bumps can turn into more painful wounds and make the itch worse. These bites can lead to long-lasting sores and even give your child trouble falling asleep at night. Keep your child's outdoor playtime free from these painful bites with the citronella and lavender essential oils present in BuzzPatch stickers.
Why BuzzPatch Is the Best Solution for Your Kids
Isn't mosquito spray the popular solution to keeping mosquitoes away? Many have indeed chosen this option to attempt to control mosquitoes in the past. However, it's not the best for your kiddos. Let's look at why that's true and why BuzzPatch is your most trustworthy option.
All-Natural Ingredients
Traditional bug spray uses DEET and other chemicals in a smelly solution to ward off bugs. Sometimes they can even include ingredients such as limonene and methyl isoeugenol. While this is the most popular, it may not be the best for your kids' well-being.
As a parent or guardian, you want the best and safest option for your children. BuzzPatch mosquito repellent stickers use all-natural ingredients, so you never have to wonder if what you're putting near your child's body is safe. Our non-toxic ingredients make BuzzPatch products the clear winner when it comes to protecting your kiddos the safe way.
The Cutest Designs
Our stickers are not only effective for hours, but they're adorable, too. Each BuzzPatch sticker displays a different cute design in a fun color. Your child can select their favorite and stick it on their clothing hem for long-lasting protection. There's never been a cuter way to keep mosquitoes from ruining playtime.
Easy Application
Our patches are so easy that even your three-year-old could assist you in applying them. Since they're in sticker form, all you have to do is attach them to your child's clothing for hours-long protection.
Mosquitoes Be Gone
Next time your kids are rollerblading outdoors, their day of fun doesn't have to be ruined by itchy bumps. When they're wearing our BuzzPatch stickers, the citronella and lavender essential oils can help them stay clear of mosquitoes for hours at a time. They'll love wearing these cute stickers, and you'll love how they come inside free from mosquito bites!
Sources:
Growing Citronella Grass - Learn About The Citronella Grass Plant | Gardening Know-How
What is the Difference Between Lemon Grass and Citronella | Pediaa
Mosquito Bite Symptoms and Treatment | Mosquitoes | CDC
What Are Essential Oils? | Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing | Taking Charge
Citronella Oil: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, Interactions | Very Well Health
Mosquito Patches for Kids
A scientifically formulated and tested blend of highly effective, all natural essential oils that have been used for hundreds of years by indigenous communities to repel mosquitos.
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