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Woman Discovers Common Food Ingredient As The Ultimate Mosquito Repellent

July 19, 2024

If you've ever been plagued by mosquitoes, you know how frustrating it can be to find a solution that truly works.

Mary, a Florida resident who claims mosquitoes "eat her alive," has tried every commercial product available, but nothing seemed to keep the pesky insects at bay.

That is, until she stumbled upon an unexpected remedy: vanilla extract.

Mary

Mary's discovery began when she watched a video about mosquito bites and noticed a comment from another woman who swore by vanilla extract as a mosquito repellent. With nothing to lose, Mary decided to give it a try. To her amazement, it worked better than anything she had used before.

Excited to share her newfound solution, Mary made a TikTok video thanking the woman for her tip and explaining her method. She mixes vanilla extract with water and puts it in a spray bottle, creating an effective and pleasantly scented mosquito repellent.

@itscontrarymary I'm going to be living my best life from this point forward. #mosquito #mosquitobites #bugbites #mosquitorepellant #itworks #trythis #florida ♬ original sound - Contrary Mary

Not only did this simple ingredient keep mosquitoes away, but it also left Mary smelling great, unlike traditional sprays that often have strong, chemical odors.

Adding a pinch of cinnamon made the odor even more appealing, Mary said.

"Not only do I smell like a delicious snack," she continued, "it works."

But what do the experts say?

According to an article in House Beautiful, pure vanilla extract is indeed an effective mosquito repellent.

"Vanilla extract, like some other plant derivatives, will mask the odor mosquitoes are searching for when looking for a blood meal," explained Shannon Harlow-Ellis, associate certified entomologist and technical specialist for Mosquito Joe, a pest control company. "Sweat, body odor, CO2, and sometimes even your blood type can emit smells that attract these bloodsuckers."

So, the next time you're gearing up for an evening outdoors, consider reaching for a bottle of vanilla extract. It might just become your new go-to mosquito repellent, thanks to one woman's chance discovery and a helpful comment on the internet.