To maximize its effectiveness, use pure vanilla extract, which can be found online or at health food stores, rather than generic options. · while repellents are an effective way to keep bugs and bites at bay, the majority contain a whole host of harsh chemicals, leaving many hoping for a more natural alternative that works. Try other alternatives like eliminating stagnant water, planting mosquito-repelling plants, and burning citronella candles. · homemade vanilla extract serves as a natural insect repellent against mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and gnats. · vanilla extract is temporarily effective since it can mask the odor of the chemicals that mosquitoes use to find humans. Does vanilla extract help mosquitoes eat blood? · overall, there’s no harm in rubbing vanilla extract onto your skin, and it may work better for some than others as a mosquito repellent. Bazzoli shares a few reasons why vanilla extract shouldn’t be your go-to mosquito repellent. Does vanilla extract repel mosquitoes? Vanilla extract doesn’t do that. Effective repellents rely on scents that bugs don’t like — smells they find so disgusting that they leave you alone as they search elsewhere for a snack. Vanilla extract is often touted as a great way to get rid of mosquitoes, and the good news is, it actually works. · vanilla extract , like some other plant derivatives, will mask the odor mosquitoes are searching for when looking for a blood meal, explains shannon harlow-ellis, associate certified. However, there’s minimal research proving that vanilla extract outperforms repellents on the market. Does vanilla extract repel bugs? · the short answer is yes , vanilla extract can offer some degree of mosquito repellency, but its effectiveness and duration are significantly less than commercially available, deet-based repellents. Here, entomologists share their expertise. Do mosquito repellents really work?