There are several known natural compounds shown to be effective at repelling mosquitos.Some possible reasons you may want to consider a DEET alternative; a bad odor, toxicity, skin damage, allergic reaction. A few well substantiated alternative repellents are p-menthane-3,8-diol(Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil), menthol(Peppermint essential oil), geranial(Lemongrass essential oil), and Soybean oil. Using a product containing these alternatives may be a more pleasant and safe experience than using a DEET containing product.

The Environmental Protection Agency has registered Lemon Eucalyptus oil as an effective mosquito repellent and a viable way to prevent humans from contracting the West Nile Virus. The active ingredient in Lemon Eucalyptus is p-menthane-3,8-diol, though it also contains citronellal, a repellent chemical also found in Citronella oil. The smell of Lemon Eucalyptus oil is reminiscent of Citronella oil.

Menthol is widely used for its mint flavor and as a versatile medicine. Now it is getting recognition for its ability to repel Mosquitos. In addition to being able to repel airborne mosquitos, menthol has been shown in studies to destroy waterborne mosquito larvae even at very minute concentrations, making it useful for preventing the hatching of mosquitos at the source. Menthol is the main constitute of peppermint oil and makes up the vast majority of the oil.

The USDA determined in a study that a chemical called geranial appeared to be an effective mosquito repellent. Geranial occurs naturally in large amounts within the sweet smelling Lemongrass plant. Planting Lemongrass in your yard is considered an easy and cost effective way to keep Mosquitos at a distance.

Though you may not suspect it, Soybean oil is also a well studied insect repellent. Even in low concentrations it has shown substantial effectiveness at repelling mosquitos. Soybean oil is also considered to be one of the longest lasting repellents, and is expected to remain effective for four to eight hours.

If you are searching for a DEET alternative, look for a product containing some of these natural mosquito repellents. Depending on the product, a natural repellent can have a delightful aroma, whereas most people consider DEET to have a sickening smell. If DEET products seem to be causing damage to your skin or a rash, try an alternative, though it is possible to be allergic to those as well.

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• Oyedele, A.O. et al. (2002). "Formulation of an effective mosquito-repellent topical product from Lemongrass oil". Phytomedicine 9 (3): 259–262. doi:10.1078/0944-7113-00120. 

• Jaenson, Thomas G. T. et al. (2006). "Repellency of Oils of Lemon Eucalyptus, Geranium, and Lavender and the Mosquito Repellent MyggA Natural to Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Laboratory and Field". Journal of Medical

• Ansari, M. A. et al. (2000). "Larvicidal and mosquito repellent action of peppermint (Mentha piperita) oil". Bioresource Technology 71 (3): 267–271. doi:10.1016/S096
  
  written - 10/28/2009 - owner of Bartenblends.