Examining How Well Mosquito Repellent Patches Work Indoors

Author: Kongdy Patch

Date: 11 27，2023

Mosquito repellent patches provide a handy way to ward off mosquitoes without needing to constantly reapply smelly, greasy creams and sprays. Their convenience makes these sticky patches with embedded natural repellents a popular choice for outdoor activities. But how well do mosquito repellent patches work when you're indoors?

With mosquitoes capable of sneaking into homes and businesses through the tiniest cracks and openings, indoor protection becomes necessary during peak seasons. This article reviews if, when, and how effectively mosquito repellent patches deter indoor mosquitoes.

01. Why Mosquitoes Get Into Buildings

Before assessing indoor mosquito repellent efficacy, it helps to understand how and why mosquitoes make their way inside in the first place.

While keeping windows and doors shut may seem like enough to barricade a home or office building against insects, mosquitoes exploit even tiny entry points. Through openings like cracks beneath doors, gaps around window frames, or holes punctured for electrical, plumbing, and gas lines, these tiny insects infiltrate interior spaces driven by cues like carbon dioxide, odor, heat, and moisture that signal human presence.

Female mosquitoes in particular get drawn indoors by the CO2 we exhale when they are looking for warm-blooded hosts to bite to develop batches of eggs. Once inside, mosquitoes often hide in dark corners, closets, bathrooms, and under furniture waiting for an opportune time to strike.

02. Do Mosquito Patches Effectively Repel Indoor Mosquitoes?

Understanding why mosquitoes sneak inside in the first place provides insight into whether mosquito repellent patches work against indoor invaders. Designed to create a protective barrier against mosquitoes landing and biting on a surface, patches release natural repellents like lemon eucalyptus, citronella, and other plant oils.

Because these substances evaporate into the immediate area around the patch, they may deter mosquitoes from approaching and biting that patch of skin. However, unlike concentrated DEET sprays, patches seem to have limited reach and mosquitoes can still freely fly around indoor environments despite covered patches on people's bodies.

Early research on the subject conducted by scientists supports this assessment. In one lab study published in the Journal of Insect Science, researchers monitored mosquito behavior around repellent patches in an enclosed indoor area. They found no significant mosquito deterrence effects from the patches, however the study included limitations with room size, ventilation, concentration, and other factors.

Additional field studies likewise demonstrate dramatically reduced effectiveness for repellent patches in home environments compared to outdoors. Without adequate air flow, the evaporating repellent molecules around patches get diluted and dispersed too widely to create a protective barrier against mosquitoes at a distance.

03. Tips For Using Mosquito Repellent Patches at Home

While current evidence indicates limitations around repellent wristbands and stickers warding off indoor mosquitoes, the products likely still benefit users by preventing bites directly on the skin covered by patches. By following certain best practices, patches also become part of an integrated indoor mosquito avoidance plan:

● Close doors/windows - Don't give mosquitoes entry routes into your home

● Apply patches judiciously - Focus application on exposed skin to deter bites

● Consider indoor traps - Use of counter zappers/fans complements repellent efforts

● Limit standing water - Eliminate outdoor breeding ground opportunities

● Maintain screens - Ensure windows and vents utilize secure screens

● Coordinate tactics - Layer patches, traps, water reduction, and airflow

So although repellent skin patches alone seem incapable of driving mosquitoes away from entire indoor settings, when combined with other evidence-based techniques, they can still comprise an important part of comprehensive protections against indoor mosquito annoyance and illness transmission threats.