Clove oil against insects: mosquitoes, midges, ticks

Among the essential substances obtained from plants, clove aroma oil is especially popular due to its ability to repel insects and relieve irritation from the bites of various human parasites. The aroma oil is obtained not from the flowers with the corresponding name, but from the tropical myrtle tree. The dried buds of this plant are used as a spice in cooking, and the fresh buds are used to produce clove aroma oil. The spice has found application not only in culinary recipes. Clove oil is often used against mosquitoes, ants, bedbugs and other parasites that nest in human homes.

Use Cases

There are many ways to use clove oil to control insects. The simplest method is to apply a few drops of the product to exposed skin and clothing. Most often it is used when working in the country or walking in the forest or park. However, you can apply essential clove oil to your skin only if you are not allergic to it.

time-tested methods
are also popular :

Using a cotton napkin soaked in clove oil is effective . This napkin can be carried in your pocket, purse or backpack when going to places with large concentrations of insects. The smell of cloves is so strong that you can smell it even from your pocket. This fragrant piece of fabric can be placed near your bed at night or in the corner of your tent during a camping trip.
with 4-5 drops of clove oil on them help protect against insects Such decoration on the wrists will reliably protect hands that are open to flying bloodsuckers.
A spray is prepared with clove oil , which is very easy to use. They can be used to spray clothes and premises. Both midges and mosquitoes will refuse to visit a room treated with this product. To make a spray, pour a mixture of 5 drops of clove oil, 50 ml of water and 5 ml of alcohol into a clean spray bottle.
You can protect your home from insects using an aroma lamp . To do this, drop clove oil into a bowl filled with water and light a candle. After some time, the house is filled with a clove aroma, which not only protects against insects, but also improves your mood. Dosage - 3 or 4 drops per 15 square meters of area.
Another effective way is to use scented candles . With some experience, you can make them yourself by including clove oil in the composition. A ready-made candle bought in a store will also work. You just need to apply 2-3 drops of clove oil on it and light it.
To sit calmly, without annoying gnats, in the forest by the fire, you just need to drop a few drops of cloves into the fire - and the heat from it will spread the fragrant vapors, “striking fear” into the insects.
If sensitive skin does not allow you to use clove oil in its pure form, it is best to make a cream based on it . As a rule, its composition necessarily includes fatty vegetable oil and a number of other ingredients. This product is as safe as possible for the skin and is suitable even for children.
For those who are going outdoors, there is another simple way to protect against forest midges. You need to drop a little essential clove oil into a large plastic bag, put your hiking clothes in it for a day and tie it tightly. During this time, things will be thoroughly saturated with the aroma of cloves, and when used, they will protect its owner from mosquitoes and midges for a long time. You can also treat a tent in the same way.

What is clove oil made from?

Clove oil is an essential extract from flower buds, less often leaves and stems of the tree of the same name. The biological name of the latter is aromatic syzygium.

The tree grows in tropical climates and belongs to the myrtle family. It is cultivated on an industrial scale in Indonesia, India, Ceylon, and Madagascar.

The representative of the flora looks like a large bush. The crown shape is pyramidal, the leaves are leathery, dark green in color. The branches are small, purple-red in color and collected in bunches.

Syzygium aromatica blooms twice a year. The most useful and concentrated clove oil is obtained from the buds of the tree. They are first fermented in the sun until partially dry. A flower bud contains 15-20 percent ether and the same amount of tannins.

The liquid is obtained by steam distillation. The substrate is transparent or yellow with a sharp specific odor and burning taste. It dissolves in alcohol, vegetable oils, benzyl benzoate, diethyl phthalate, and is not destroyed by organic acids. Clove oil does not dissolve in glycerin or mineral oils, and is destroyed by alkali.

The approximate composition of the primary product is as follows:

Eugenol. Fragrant substance of the class of phenols. The concentration in the extract reaches 80-90 percent;
Caryophyllene and acetyl eugenol. Hydrocarbon derivatives. Content – from 5 to 15 percent;
Other substances. Proteins, mineral salts, vanillin, aldehydes. Alcohols, sesquiterpenes, methyl salicylates, furfurals - up to 3 percent.

Recipes

Over many years of experience in the confrontation between humans and annoying insects, many recipes have accumulated that really help protect against the attacks of midges, mosquitoes and ticks. However, you should choose the ones that are relevant to you individually, depending on the preferences and tolerance of the ingredients included in the mixtures.

Clove oil against mosquitoes in proven recipes:

Mosquito repellent cream. Mix 4 drops of cloves, 5 drops of lavender and 10 ml of vegetable almond oil.
Cream-balm against mosquitoes. The composition of the mixture is from 10 to 15 drops of cloves, a couple of tablespoons of olive or other vegetable oil and a tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Store creams according to these two recipes in a dark place for no more than 6 months.
A product for treating premises against infestations of mosquitoes and midges. Mix 15 drops of cloves with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and treat doorways, window frames and flower pots with this mixture.

How to make your own mosquito repellent with ether:

Prim

Use of clove oil
against midges :

Anti-midge spray . Dilute 15 drops of cloves in 50 ml of hawthorn tincture, then add a glass of water to the solution. Shake the bottle before spraying your clothes or room with the spray.
Anti-midge cream. Mix 5 drops of cloves, 20 drops of tea tree and 50 ml of olive oil. The cream should be shaken before use. It is perfect for sensitive and children's skin.
Anti-midge lotion. Dilute a couple of teaspoons of clove oil in 50 ml of alcohol, add 50 ml of sunflower oil, a whisper of vanillin and a small amount of ground wormwood to the mixture. This recipe is popular among fishermen.

Recipes with clove oil for ticks :

Anti-tick spray. Stir 2 teaspoons of clove oil in a glass of water and add 100 ml of alcohol to the composition. Pour the mixture into a bottle with a spray bottle or spray cap. This product is also suitable for protecting pets from ticks. It is only undesirable to use it for pregnant dogs.
Anti-tick cream. Mix 25 drops of cloves with a couple of tablespoons of almond oil and store the mixture in a glass or ceramic container. To protect against ticks, simply apply a small amount of cream to your skin and clothing. The shelf life of the product is 5-6 months.
Essential clove oil to protect dogs from ticks. Apply a drop of the product undiluted to the head and rump of the animal. The protective effect lasts for 3 hours.

Use of clove oil for itching after a bite :

Use a mixture of 4-5 drops of cloves and 25 ml of almond, apricot, peach or grape seed oil to wipe the bite areas to relieve itching and swelling. The product can be used for children.
Another option for a healing ointment is 2 drops each of cloves and tea tree and a teaspoon of base oil.
If you are not allergic to cloves, you can use the essential oil in its pure form, applying it directly to the wound.

Clove oil in cosmetology

In cosmetology, clove oil is used to treat acne and pimples. It is recommended to use the oil for those whose skin is prone to oily skin. The product normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands and tightens pores.

The oil has a rich composition, the components of which help to actively fight wrinkles, preventing their early appearance.

You can prepare creams and masks for hair and face with clove oil at home. Recipes are presented below.

Clove oil for face

Homemade masks will help you get rid of skin imperfections. Regular use of masks will help prevent the appearance of early wrinkles.

Moisturizing mask

Ingredients:

Chamomile decoction - 50 ml.
Watermelon pulp - 2 tbsp.
Soft cottage cheese - 1 tbsp.
Coconut oil - 1 tsp.
Clove essential oil - 3 drops.
Vanilla essential oil - 1 drop.

How to prepare: Mix the ingredients until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.

How to use: Distribute the resulting mass onto cleansed facial skin. Leave for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and apply moisturizer.

Result: Your skin will become soft, elastic and smooth after just a few weeks of using the product.

Mask for problem skin

Ingredients:

Blue clay - 2 tbsp.
Aloe juice - 2 tbsp.
Clove oil - 3 drops.
Almond oil - 1 tsp.

How to prepare: Dilute the clay with aloe juice and add the remaining ingredients.

How to use: Apply the product evenly to steamed facial skin. Leave for 15-20 minutes until the clay hardens. Wash off the mask using a cotton pad. Apply moisturizer or wipe your face with toner.

Result: The product will help you get rid of acne and acne marks. You will notice the effect within 2-3 weeks.

Anti-wrinkle mask

Ingredients:

Pear - 1 pc.
Clove essential oil - 2 drops.
Cinnamon essential oil - 1 drop.
Almond oil - 2 tbsp.

How to prepare: Peel the fruit and remove seeds. Grind it in a blender. Mix the resulting puree with the remaining ingredients.

How to use: Apply the mask to the skin of the face and neck with massage movements. Leave the product on for 20-30 minutes. After the time has passed, remove the mask from your face and apply moisturizer.

Result: The product eliminates crow's feet and facial wrinkles. You will notice the effect after a month of procedures.

Clove oil for hair

Homemade products will help you strengthen your hair and give it volume. It is recommended to aroma comb with oil - this will get rid of split ends.

Mask for oily hair

Ingredients:

Yogurt - 100-150 ml.
Sea salt - 4 tbsp.
Clove essential oil - 4 drops.
Cinnamon essential oil - 2 drops.

How to prepare: Combine the ingredients and mix thoroughly.

How to use: Apply the mask to the scalp and hair roots. Gather your hair and leave under a cap for 30 minutes. Rinse with water and shampoo. To enhance the effect, rinse your hair with nettle decoction.

Result: Hair will take on a well-groomed appearance and become less oily. The mask is also suitable for eliminating dandruff and itching.

Hair growth mask

Ingredients:

Cinnamon essential oil - 1 drop.
Clove essential oil - 5 drops.
Almond oil - 1 tbsp.
Castor oil - 1 tbsp.
Sour cream - 1 tbsp.

How to prepare: Mix the ingredients and beat lightly.

How to use: Apply the resulting product to the scalp and distribute over the entire length of the hair. Leave on for 40 minutes and rinse with water.

Result: Hair will become manageable and silky.

Their growth will accelerate and hair loss will be reduced.

Rules for using the product for children

The dosage of clove oil should be minimal .
Enough 3 drops of oil per 10 ml of base vegetable oil (olive, peach, apricot or any baby massage oil). You can add a couple of drops of lavender to the composition, the aroma of which is also not tolerated by mosquitoes and midges. In addition, lavender will soften the spicy smell of cloves. The protective agent should be applied carefully, not rubbing it into the skin, but applying it in a very thin layer. It is important to ensure that the mixture does not get into the child’s eyes or mucous membranes. As a precaution, you can apply repellent with cloves not to the skin, but to the clothes of children . This is an equally effective method of protection - the strong and pungent smell of the product spreads over a fairly impressive distance. To repel insects from a baby stroller in which your baby sleeps outdoors, just wipe its edges with a clove-scented mixture, not forgetting the mosquito net. If the baby sleeps at home in a crib, you can drop cloves with vegetable oil on a curtain or napkin next to his sleeping place.

Why does this combination work?

The best remedy for fighting mosquitoes is a mixture of lemon and cloves, because these components have highly active volatile substances.

Effect of lemon

The juice of the fruit and its zest contain a high concentration of citrine. The aromatic oils of the peel are easy to diffuse around the room or apply to the skin. The smell is persistent and will last for several hours.

Aromatic molecules are lighter than air and therefore do not sink down, but float in its currents. Mosquitoes perceive this aroma as a signal that the area is unsafe and do not fly close. Therefore, you can spread fruit peels around the room to saturate the air with fresh citrus smells. It is unlikely that even a single mosquito will fly into such a room.

Action of cloves

The aroma of this plant is very strong. Bloodsuckers categorically do not like him and scares them. A few drops of essential oil will protect a large house from mosquitoes.

For insects, this smell is very strong, concentrated and serves as a danger signal.

Combining cloves with lemon makes a good protective agent.

Contraindications

Clove oil is contraindicated :

women during pregnancy;
people suffering from hypertension;
with increased nervous excitability.

Clove essential oil may be irritating to the skin , so a product tolerance test should be performed before using it. To do this, you need to apply a drop of cloves to the thin skin on the bend of your elbow and wait for its reaction. If there is no redness or irritation, you can safely use this wonderful remedy.

Beneficial and healing properties of clove oil

When used correctly, healthy cloves have a beneficial effect on the body. Namely:

has an antimicrobial and antiseptic effect,
has analgesic and sedative properties, and they manifest themselves quite clearly,
promotes the healing of wounds and other skin lesions,
has a positive effect on digestion when consumed orally in microscopic volumes and helps to establish metabolic processes,
normalizes blood pressure and improves the condition of blood vessels,
relieves inflammation and pain in joints and muscles,
serves as a prevention of infections and colds,
improves brain activity and tones the body,
increases libido in men and women.

The properties of clove oil are used in cosmetology - with the help of ether they take care of hair and facial skin and get excellent results in the shortest possible time.

Reviews

Most reviews about using clove oil as a repellent are positive . The product is really effective at repelling mosquitoes, midges, ticks and even horse flies. But there are also negative reviews - if the product was used carelessly, some children developed allergies. Therefore, the main conclusion that suggests itself is that clove oil should be used to protect against insects with caution, strictly observing the measure and not exceeding the dosage indicated in the recipes. A few reviews about the product:

“For our family, clove oil is the heaviest artillery against midges in the country. We smear ourselves with it while working in the garden, and protect the house from stray mosquitoes and midges. It really helps."

“When walking with children on the street, every hour or two I apply clove oil to their clothes to prevent insects from flying up. The oil is inexpensive, non-toxic, and its effectiveness is higher than that of chemical repellents.”

Proven folk recipes for mosquitoes and bites:

How to make a substitute yourself

Ways to use the spice
If you cannot buy the original, you can replace it with dried clove buds infused with purified olive oil. This surrogate is softer than the original, but it must be used carefully.

Important!
To make the drug yourself, you need to choose correctly prepared buds.

There are several signs that allow you to determine the quality of raw materials:

Do not use ready-to-use ground spices. She quickly loses her qualities.
A bud thrown into water should sink. Floating with the leg down is of worse quality, but is still suitable for making a surrogate. A bud floating in a horizontal position can be thrown away; it is not even suitable for cooking.
A properly fermented bud has an elastic petiole that leaves an oily residue on the paper. A hard, dry petiole indicates low quality spice.

Clove oil for home cosmetology

In cosmetology, clove essential oil is indispensable for aging, aging skin. On the other hand, it is an effective help for young people suffering from acne and pustular lesions. This is an excellent remedy for healing microtraumas. The beneficial effect of cloves on tired skin is expressed in increasing its tone, eliminating fine wrinkles, improving and evening out the color and surface.

They are used to wipe damaged areas. Eugenol has a strong regenerating effect. And the oil’s ability to thin the blood helps quickly get rid of bruises. Pure clove oil will also help in the fight against herpes on the lips. They need to precisely lubricate the affected areas.

Mask for pustules, abscesses and acne

Enrich 10 ml of your regular nourishing cream with 2 drops of clove ether and chamomile and geranium oil (1 drop each). Apply the mixture to cleansed skin only in problem areas. A mixture of vegetable oil (1 tablespoon) and 4 drops of clove oil will help with abscesses. It is also applied pointwise.

Clove oil is one of the best remedies for problem skin

Cloves for aging skin and fine wrinkles

A yeast mask with cloves will invigorate and tighten the skin. Dilute a tablespoon of yeast with warm milk until a thick mass is obtained. Add a teaspoon each of honey and flaxseed oil and 2 drops of clove ether. The mask is applied for 10 minutes and washed off with warm water. Regular procedures will smooth out fine wrinkles and make the skin elastic.

Clove ester for healthy hair

Hair that is constantly suffering from coloring, hair dryer, straightening and other methods of achieving “unearthly” beauty is restored with the help of clove oil.

Clove oil is a universal remedy for damaged and weakened hair.

This is a universal remedy - it will make your curls shine, enhance their growth, and get rid of split ends, dandruff and dryness.

Mask for colored hair

After chemical exposure, a nourishing mask will revive your hair. It will require almond oil as a base (4 tablespoons), clove ether (6 drops), 2 ampoules of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and the pulp of one banana. Combine all ingredients, wash your hair and apply the mixture from roots to ends of hair. The exposure time of the mask is 2 hours.

Hair strengthening

An egg-oil mask will stop hair loss and strengthen the hair shaft. To five yolks beaten in a mixer, add 5 drops of clove ether, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of warmed Cahors. The mixture is applied to the hair before going to bed. The head is wrapped in a towel. Exposure time - until morning. Wash off with water and a weak solution of apple cider vinegar.

For split ends

Treating the strands with a mixture of avocado oil (1 teaspoon) and 2 ml of clove oil will stop split ends. After each wash or before using styling products, apply the mixture to the ends of the hair. After 10 minutes, excess oil is removed with a napkin, and the strands are left to dry naturally.

For seborrhea and dandruff

Clove oil, containing pungent components, stimulates local blood circulation. Due to this, not only the hair follicles are strengthened. The ether has an anti-inflammatory and antifungal effect on the skin. Combining it with tea tree ether will only enhance the effect of both oils. 9 drops of each oil should be mixed with green clay diluted to a paste consistency (4 tablespoons). The mixture is applied with a brush to the roots of the hair, the head is wrapped in a towel. Exposure time - 30 minutes.

Cloves for hands and nails

Baths with essential oils are useful to strengthen nails and treat fungus. Cloves can be used with any compatible oil. The ether is diluted in water with soda and salt - add 2 drops of oil to 1 liter of hot water, and a teaspoon each of soda and salt. Hand baths last 15 minutes. Then wipe dry and lubricate the nails with clove and lemon oil. The procedure is repeated twice a day.

Anti-cellulite wrap

For wraps, any vegetable oil is used as a base oil. Add 5 drops of clove ether to 30 ml of base. Rub the mixture onto the desired areas and massage lightly. Then wrap it in film for half an hour. It is better to lie down while wrapping. The procedure brings the greatest effect after physical activity aimed at burning fat.

Hot steam in a bath, filled with the aromas of essential oils, is pleasant and healthy. Clove oil in a bath is an excellent remedy for colds and coughs, rheumatic and muscle pain. Mix 4 drops of juniper, 3 drops of eucalyptus, and 2 drops each of fir and clove. The oil elixir is added to hot water (not on the heater!) and sprayed onto the shelves and walls. Start the procedure with 3-5 minutes, then gradually increase the time to 20 minutes.

The effectiveness of mosquito repellent based on cloves and lemon

Cloves and lemon contain volatile substances that are highly active. Their smell is unpleasant for blood-sucking insects and prevents them from finding prey.

Lemon contains aromatic oils, whose molecules are lighter than air, so they can float in its currents for a long time without settling. Cloves contain essential oil in high concentration, which has a strong odor.

Note! The combination of citrus and cloves can enhance the effect of these products and make the room in which they are placed unattractive to insects. In terms of effectiveness, such a folk remedy is not inferior to synthetic repellent compounds.

Dangerous mosquito bites

Treating mosquitoes with disdain is still dangerous. Since childhood, we have become accustomed to their bites, which then constantly itch. It seems to us that apart from unpleasant sensations, there is no more harm from insects. Dangerous misconception!

Only female mosquitoes bite children and adults. After inserting the proboscis under the skin, they inject an anticoagulant, an agent that prevents rapid blood clotting. This gives the pest the opportunity to drink to his heart’s content and go to a new victim. But it is the mosquito’s “saliva” that causes the condition we know – the formation of a pimple, itching, and redness. This is a kind of allergic reaction. In people with weak immune systems or allergies, often young children, such ordinary bites can lead to a noticeable deterioration of the condition. An increased reaction to a mosquito substance can provoke:

swelling at the bite sites;
prolonged and severe itching;
temperature increase;
general malaise, weakness;
nausea;
headache;
sometimes suffocation, etc.

What most of us miss is that a mosquito flies from person to person, burrows under the skin, and drinks blood. He does not disinfect his proboscis. Is there a risk that the previous “client” of the bloodsucker who sat on your small child was sick with some kind of infection or virus? This risk exists. We may not even guess what kind of disease we caught from a small pest that has long been sleeping under our palm. Dengue virus, West Nile fever, malaria - we previously only heard about these diseases on TV and read in newspapers. Now, cases of such exotic diseases are registered annually in Russia and Ukraine.

Reactions to mosquito bites can be quite serious

What are they like?

To choose a good product, you should first understand the principles of its operation. The drugs are:

Repellents. The main task of such drugs is to repel unpleasant midges and mosquitoes. For this purpose, they may contain essential oils, DEET, and pyrethroids. They are produced in the form of ointments, creams, gels, sprays and are applied directly to exposed areas of human skin. The main disadvantage is the possibility of allergic reactions upon contact with human skin.
Fumigants. These devices are designed to protect against mosquitoes and midges by spreading toxic substances into the surrounding air. The drugs used can be fatal to pests, but humans or pets will not be harmed. They are produced in the form of spirals or smoke bombs that are set on fire on the street, as well as special devices - fumigators. To activate the fumigator, it needs a network and an active substance. May have a liquid or solid base. Special plates and liquid are sold separately. The disadvantage is that it cannot be used in rooms that are too small to avoid negative consequences. Each package must indicate the area of the territory for which the product against mosquitoes and midges is designed.
Ultrasonic repellers. These special devices operate on mains power or batteries. When turned on, they make a thin sound that irritates insects. For a person, its effect is imperceptible. A specially selected sound frequency allows you to repel mosquitoes, midges, cockroaches and even rodents.

The vast majority of commercially available products are aimed at dulling the bloodsuckers’ strong natural sense of smell.