Such an apparently simple solution to mosquito avoidance is appealing, but careful scientific trials have failed. Testing vitamin b as a home remedy against mosquitoes. Although there is a variety of chemical repellents and insecticides, there are also more natural and beneficial options, such as using vitamin b1 as a repellent. To make it easier to take vitamin b1 for bugs, easy to apply patches are beginning to make their way into health food stores, such as the bug patch and the dont bug me patch. Supplementing with the vitamin stops you from having a reaction from the bite. Dissolve a vitamin b supplement in a body lotion or cream. Vitamin b is often recommended in the popular media as a systemic repellent against mosquitoes. Usually these areas are discreet, protected, and where hair is less. This information is especially prevalent on the web. Simply stick the patch on your arm, stomach or back, and enjoy worryfree sleep. What dose of eaten b1 in mg is enough for protection.
According to their press release, the dont bug me patch is now available at major retailers nationwide, the effective and waterproof patch protects against bites from pesky, diseasecarrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums. They even specifically state that it is not an acceptable or. Original bug patch the bug patch is a 100% organic and deetfree bug repellent that offers full day headtotoe protection from mosquitoes, flies, and ticks with a single application. Now you can simply put on a patch the dont bite me. Fifra section 2u does not limit the definition of pesticide based on mode of action of the substance, or the mechanism of dissemination of an insect control pesticide. The science behind this repellent comes from a study done in the 1960s. I have heard that a daily dose of vitamin b1 prevents. Because i am the only person who was getting attacked by mosquitos in arizonathey followed me from florida. Currently, the american mosquito control association does not recommend using vitamin b as a mosquito repellent. Deetfree vitamin b1 mosquito repellent patches 10pack antimosquito patches 10pack 1. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from debug global, llc is prohibited.
Does vitamin b1 or b12 supplements prevent mosquito bites. Perfect to take on camping trips, this insect repellent is easy to use. While vitamin b1 is not effective as a mosquito repellent, there are. The results of a small number of published studies suggested that vitamin b complex supplements are not effective as repellents, but these studies were limited by the use of very few human subjects. Throughout the day, the topical patch releases vitamin b1 into the skin, which creates a scent that repels mosquitoes.
But though some believe garlic has powerful bugrepellent properties, mosquito control experts say it isnt very strong. Interestingly, the perfume we tested had a modest repellency effect early after application, and the vitamin b patch had no effect on either species. Deetfree vitamin b1 mosquito repellent patches 10pack. These products promise protection at a time of heightened concern about the mosquitoborne zika virus, even explicitly. However, later studies, which were performed by more stringent, modern standards, found that vitamin b supplements had little to no effect on mosquito bites in subjects. Immo hansen, professor at the institute of applied biosciences at new mexico state university and also an author of the study comparing repellents. Once the vitamin b1 is pulsing through your veins you can enjoy that long lasting all natural bug repellent effect youve been waiting for. Vitamin b can ward off mosquitoes the new york times. Insect defend patch mosquito repellent canadian tire. While vitamin b1 is not effective as a mosquito repellent, there are plenty of alternatives. Researchers who need to avoid mosquito bites tell what works. There has been quite a bit of discussion about the role of vitamin b in mosquito avoidance. In the last few years, nonchemical repellents worn as skin patches and containing thiamine vitamin b1 have arrived in some bigbox stores under the name dont bite me.
Also, vitamin b1 tested as a skin patch and did not repel mosquitoes, according an february 20 study report published in acta tropica. The aloe is an antiinflammatory to reduce the irritation from burns. Taking vitamin b1 shown to prevent insect bites and stings. Take a supplement of 100 grams of vitamin b1 plus a supplement of vitamin b. It seems that it doesnt really work, but theres no harm in taking extra vitamin b1. Insect repellents help prevent and control the outbreak of insectborne and other arthropodbourne diseases such as malaria, lyme disease, dengue fever, bubonic plague, river. Ive heard of campers and outdoorsmen trying to achieve the same effect by taking lots of vitamin b1 prior to spending time in mosquito country, but i hadnt heard of a vitaminbased mosquito patch prior to the radio segment. Dont use these products to protect from the zika virus. Medical entomologist dr cameron webb says taking vitamin b before your next bbq will do little to keep mosquitoes at bay. This item 5 pack bundle, avon skin so soft bug guard plus picaridin aerosol insect repellent, strong repellency against mosquitoes and deer ticks, 4 ounce cans avon sss bug guard plus expedition pump spray 8 oz. I do not have shares in marmite, and im quite sure the supermarket own brands would work just.
Mosquito repellent koala patch 72 count keeps insects and bugs far away simply. It is a topical patch that puts vitamin b1 thiamin and aloe into the blood stream. Taking large quantities of vitamin b unfortunately does not decrease the number of mosquito bites you get. A vitamin b1 patch would be considered to be a biochemical pesticide when used to repel insects because the active ingredient is naturally occurring and has a nontoxic mode of action. Say good night to pesky bed bugs with the bug patch original bed bug patch. It may not work for you, but it cant hurt to try this. Source emphasis mine a 1995 brazilian study full text in portuguese found that.
Highly recommended places to apply the bug patch are to the upper arm, shoulder, lower back, and lower abdomen area. The patches work by saturating your skin with vitamin b1, which makes. Original bug patch insect, repellant, mosquitoes, patch. Vitamin b1 delivered as a skin patch has also been tested and did not repel mosquitoes, according an february 20 study report published in acta tropica. You need to take it for a couple of weeks before you go.
We present a comparative study on the efficacy of eight commercially available products, two fragrances, and a vitamin b patch. Theres no good reason to put any trust in vitamin b1 or any other vitamin, garlic, or most essential oils as means to repel bed bugs or other biting insects or ticks. Ive sprayed on natural repellents, lit citronella candles, smothered myself. Stuck on b1 to make it easier to take vitamin b1 for bugs, easy to apply patches are beginning to make their way into health food stores, such as the bug patch. The efficacy of some commercially available insect. The patches work by saturating your skin with vitamin b1, which makes your bodys scent unattractive to mosquitoes. One pervasive claim is that taking vitamin b, or wearing patches and. Protection for thewhole familythe bug patch is a 100% organic, deet free bug repellantthat utilizes the benefits of vitamin b1 thiaminthat is completely safe for men, women, and children of all ages.
To take advantage of these benefits, the recommendations are. The theory is that excess b1 is secreted through the pores which creates an odor that mosquitoes dont like, but humans dont notice. Actually the b vitamin doesnt repel nor stop mosquitos or fleas from biting and if your body is lacking you will get a reaction i. Its the active ingredient in many insect repellents, which dont kill mosquitoes but. But when i got homeand my skin getting very irrated from this patches. Can vitamin b tablets make you a less tasty treat to the biting menaces. One untested but widely held opinion in brazil is that oral use of vitamin b complex is useful as a mosquito repellent. There were no articles on the transdermal patch use of thiamine. Manufacturers claim that the transdermal delivery of b1 is more effective than taking a supplement, but in the end, nothing will aid the absorption of vitamin b1 more. If you are in an area where these illnesses are common, you should discuss insect repellent options with a physician to weigh the pros and cons of a stronger, chemicalbased bug spray. Similarly, the use of a transdermal vitamin b1 patch did not provide significant protection against mosquitoes in a study published in acta tropica in 2012. In the 1960s my 2 year old was covered in sand flea bites while my son had none.
This study shows that the different active ingredients in commercially available mosquito repellent products are not equivalent in terms of duration and strength of repellency. It helps the body convert food into fuel, which is burned in the cells to produce energy. It showed that thiamine b1 produces a skin odor female mosquitoes dont like. The fact that the vitamin b repellent chemical is expected to spread from the patch through the skin does not exempt the product from being a pesticide regulated under fifra. I put these patches on my butt and mosquitoes dont even know i exist. Vitamin b1 patches work for us, so i tried some of the bug patch. Many other travellers recommend doses of b1 vitamin. Vitamin b1, thiamine, is considered to be the antistress vitamin. I bought some mosquito patches online that have worked well. It described their study, where oral b vitamin complex supplements failed to have a relationship to the mosquito repellent qualities of the compounds released from the participants skin. Well, the dont bug me insect repellent patch of course. It can be found in foods such as broccoli, onions, green beans, summer squash, kale, spinach, cabbage, eggplant, and sunflower seeds, and it plays an important role in fighting stress and boosting the immune system.
Although there was substantial and consistent individual variation in attractiveness, we found no effect of vitamin b supplementation. Safe for use on the whole family, this bug patch provides 36 hours of bed bug relief. No matter if youre using a patch or taking 3 supplements a day, youll still be covered in nothing but red. My research didnt lead me to anything scientifically conclusive, but based on comments from real people and others in the natural health arena, either the b1 vitamin thiamin or a b complex containing b6, were effective for many people in. Whereas these products may not cause any direct harm to a person or an inse. Dont bite me patch since 2007 provides an alternative to traditional insect repellent by deterring insects, not repelling them.
Studies suggest that vitamin b is not an effective mosquito repellent. A study published in 2005 in the journal of the american mosquito control association tested various regimens of vitamin b administration and found no effect. Fear of possible side effects of deet has created a large market for natural deetfree repellents with a variety of active ingredients. Thats why using vitamin b1 is a very effective measure to repel mosquitoes. One patch contains 75 mg of b1 and covers 36 hours.