Many people believe that vanilla can keep mosquitoes away, as the strong smell may mask the scents that attract bugs to bite. However, scientific studies do not support this idea. According to the Wisconsin Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Diseases research, vanilla alone does not repel mosquitoes. But, it has been discovered that vanillin, the component that gives vanilla its smell, can be used to enhance other mosquito repellents.
Researchers found that a mixture of vanillin and DEET can make the repellent last longer and work more effectively. A study in Mosquito News in 1975 showed that a combination of vanillin and DEET lasted 95% longer than DEET alone. The more vanillin added, the longer the repellent stayed effective. Another study in the Journal of Vector Ecology in 2001 demonstrated that vanillin enhanced the power of even less effective repellents.
So, while vanilla alone may not repel mosquitoes, incorporating vanillin into your mosquito repellent products may help them work better and last longer. Next time you head outdoors, consider adding a dash of vanilla to your repellent to keep those pesky bugs at bay.
