Thiamine is a type of B vitamin that helps break down sugars in the body. A thiamine deficiency may also lead to nerve and heart problems. In 1969, a study published in the journal "Pediatric Clinics of North America" found that the vitamin may reduce mosquito bites due to the production of a disagreeable odor. Based on this study, some mosquito repellent manufacturers have added thiamine to their products in effort to create a safe, nontoxic, bug repellent.
Insect Repellent
In 2009, Pamela Mason, BSc, author of "Dietary Supplements Pocket Companion," reported that possible evidence exists in support of thiamine acting as an insect repellent. The vitamin has no toxic effects other than a chance of causing an upset stomach if ingested in high doses. One insect repellent manufacturer explains that in doses of 25 mg to 50 mg three times a day, thiamine produces a skin odor that is not detectable by humans, but acts as a repellent to pregnant mosquitoes. It may be most effective for people with an insect-bite allergy. The B vitamin should be taken two weeks prior to mosquito exposure. By using a patch, however, the vitamin might take effect in as little as two hours.
Safety
According to a manufacturer safety and data sheet, bug-repellent products with thiamine are generally safe for most people. It is a non-hazardous chemical, but should only be used externally. Thiamine is absorbed by the skin and can cause dermatitis in some people, as well as temporary redness and mild irritation. Prolonged inhalation may lead to allergic respiratory sensitization. Touching the eyes after application of mosquito repellent containing thiamine can cause irritation, redness, swelling, tearing, mucus discharge and blurred vision. Ingestion can cause stomach discomfort, nausea, fatigue or diarrhea.
Efficacy
In 2005 the "Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association" published a study on the use of vitamin B as a mosquito repellent. According to the study, which was conducted by researchers from the departments of zoology and entomology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, many previous small studies that have investigated the efficacy of thiamine use for repelling insects have suggested that the vitamin is not effective as a mosquito deterrent. Admittedly, however, the studies were limited in the variety of mosquito that was investigated and a small sample of human subjects. In an extension of the previous work, this current study found that ingesting vitamin B supplements still had no significant effect on preventing bug bites.
DEET
In order to prevent mosquito bites effectively, a study published in 2002 by the "New England Journal of Medicine" suggests using products that contain the chemical DEET. In the study, under very controlled laboratory conditions, 15 volunteers tested the effectiveness of seven botanical-based insect repellents, four containing N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide -- known as DEET -- three wristband repellents and a moisturizer repellent. The best bug repellents were those that contained DEET, a yellowish substance that masks odor that female mosquitoes are attracted to.
References
- PubMed Health: Thiamine; September 2008
- "Dietary Supplements Pocket Companion"; Pamela Mason; 2009
- Don't Bite Me!: FAQs
- Don't Bite Me! Patch; Material Safety Data
- "Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association"; Testing Vitamin B as a Home Remedy Against Mosquitoes; Anthony R. Ives; 2005
- University of Washington: DEET: Still the Best Mosquito Repellent; July 2002
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