Is vanilla extract a natural mosquito repellent? Experts give their verdict

Laura Hampson
·5-min read
Woman applying insect repellant on her arm outdoors. Skin protection against tick and mosquito repellent bite
Can you really use vanilla extract as a natural mosquito repellent? (Getty Images)

Mosquitoes, and the itchy bites they leave, are a common pest in the summer months – but a woman on TikTok claims she’s discovered a natural repellent.

The user, who goes by the name @itscontrarymary, posted a video earlier this month stating that she saw another video where a woman claimed that using vanilla extract could ward off mosquitoes.

“To the woman who randomly commented on someone else’s video about mosquito bites, that they used vanilla extract for mosquito repellent, I hope you get everything you want in life,” the TikTok user said in a video that’s been viewed over 6.5 million times.

“Because, let me tell you, I have bought every single commercial product you could for mosquito repellency because I get eaten alive because I have delicious blood apparently and nothing works.”

Mary explains that she lives in south Florida, and that mosquitoes get particularly active in the summer months.

“Let me tell you, I mix some water with some vanilla extract and a pinch of cinnamon and sprayed it everywhere. Not only do I smell like a delicious snack, a delicious baked good out here in the summer heat, but it works. It works,” she added.

The video has since received over 728,000 likes and 14,000 comments, where people have raved about the method. When one person commented asking if it was sticky, Mary replied that there was “no stickiness, probably because it doesn’t have sugar in it”.

“I use pure vanilla,” she added. “If you use imitation, I'm not sure because that might have some type of sugar in it.”

Another woman commented: “It works, it really works! Thank you so much to the woman and you for saving me from being eaten alive! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

One user suggested adding witch hazel into the mix, claiming that this can also be a mosquito repellent. Another claimed that they did not want to smell like a ‘snack’. “I would bet it does work, but I live in Montana and we have bears. Last thing I want is to smell like a cobbler out in the woods here,” they wrote.

The experts we spoke to are divided as to whether this method can work or not. Dr Ross Perry, a GP and medical director of Cosmedics skin clinics says that vanilla extract is known to be an effective mosquito repellent.

“It works by blocking the human biological scent markers to which mosquitoes are attracted to,” he explains. “It’s important to add though that this needs to be natural vanilla extract without any added sugar which will only do the opposite and attract mosquitoes. Cinnamon is known to repel mosquitoes and other insects, and can also kill any eggs, and as again it’s natural you can easily make the at home remedy.”

However, bite prevention expert Howard Carter, says that he can’t see this method working.

“There may be a minimal, tiny effect but it would be less than 10% efficacy,” he explains. “None of those components are classified as insect repellents by the NHS, PHE and the European authorities.”

red swollen mosquito bite on young mixed-race female’s arm
Mosquitoes can leave annoying itchy bites all over the body. (Getty Images)

The only way to know if it can work for you is to try it for yourself. Carter suggests Incognito Mosquito Repellent or DEET as alternative solutions.

Carter says there are several reasons why some people may attract mosquitoes more than others.

“Wearing dark colours attracts mosquitoes, some skin bacteria attract them, perfumes and body odours also attract them,” he explains. “And several studies have shown that pregnant women attract approximately twice as many mosquito bites than non-pregnant women.”

Dr Perry adds that a mix of our body heat, carbon dioxide, and odours emitted by humans can make us attractive to mosquitoes.

“One type of mosquito is more favourable to the common O blood type and another is more attracted to blood type AB. As humans a proportion of us produce a secretion which signals to the insects what blood type we are,” he adds.

“Mosquitos in particular are attracted to carbon dioxide, people that emit higher levels of CO2 are more attractive from a distance such as those that are exercising or others that have a higher resting metabolism, such as larger individuals. So the more we exhale the more desirable we become, when you see large groups of mosquitos in packed places, this can make you more desirable due to the volumes of carbon dioxide.

Mosquitoes are more attracted to some people than others. (Getty Images)
Mosquitoes are more attracted to some people than others. (Getty Images)

“Some studies also suggest insects are more attracted to the smell of bacteria and sweat, due to the fact it creates a sweet fragrance, therefore the feet, neck, and inner thighs make those areas a prime spot for insect bites.”

Dr Perry recommends that those prone to mosquito bites should try to cover up with loose cotton clothing if they can in the summer months, and to reapply mosquito repellent the same way they would sunscreen.

Latest stories