Homemade Mosquito Repellent
A mosquito is one of the most dangerous insects on planet earth. Apart from transmitting life-threating diseases, mosquitoes can make it extremely difficult for you to sleep.
When the evening approaches, the mosquitos become more active. That is when they look for their only food –blood. They’ll bite any human who comes their way.
The sad part is if they have malaria zika virus or dengue viruses, you won’t like the symptoms that will follow after the bite.
If you love hiking or camping, mosquitoes will definitely disturb you. You’ll have to experience dozens of itchy mosquito bites on your face, arms, and legs. Mosquitoes prefer some people for other. This may be due to a combination of scent, light, heat, and humidity.
Again, different species of mosquitoes are attracted by different things. For instance, malaria-transmitting mosquitoes prefer bacteria and sweat; but other species of mosquito prefer carbon dioxide and hand odors
If you are a mosquito magnet, you definitely will have itchy and bumpy skin. But, there is a way around this. You can mix a few essential oils and natural ingredients to help you steer clear of this menace.
We have various mosquito repellents. Read below to get the details.
Natural Mosquito Repellent Remedies
- Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
- Cinnamon Oil
- Peppermint oil and coconut oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar with Essential Oils Spray
- Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil
- Lemongrass and Rosemary Essential Oil
- Citronella
- Neem oil
- Garlic Spray
- Baking Soda with Vinegar Mosquito Trap
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
The Lemon eucalyptus oil has been in use for over half a century. That makes it one of the most effective regimens to push away those clingy mosquitoes. The CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved eucalyptus oil to be used as an ingredient in mosquito repellents.(1)
According to studies, 32 per cent lemon eucalyptus oil can provide up to 95 % protection against mosquito bites for more than 3 hours.(2)
DIY
You can use the Lemon eucalyptus oil in isolation, or you can mix it with a carrier essential oils. For instance, the oils work well with sunflower oil or witch hazel. However, this mixture should not be used by children under three years of age. In any mix, use the 1 part of Lemon eucalyptus oil and ten parts of the carrier oil.
Cinnamon Oil
A research carried out in Taiwan concluded that cinnamon oil is effective in killing mosquito eggs and can repel mosquitoes, especially the Asian tiger and the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The oil has four active components – Eugenol, Cinnamyl Acetate, Cinnamaldehyde, and Anethole, whose mosquito repelling properties are high.(3), (4), (5), (6)
DIY
It is easy to use cinnamon oil as a mosquito repellent. Just place 24 drops of the oil in four ounces of water; place the mixture is a spray bottle, then spray around the house, on your skin or your clothes.
Peppermint oil and coconut oil
Peppermint is a well-known bug repellent. When you mix it with coconut oils, it becomes more effective in repelling the mosquitoes.
Keep in mind that peppermint has efficient repelling components such as limonene and menthol, while coconut is packed with unsaturated fatty acids and emulsifiers that slow down the evaporation of the peppermint oil. (7), (8)
DIY
To make a potent concoction, add 12 drops of peppermint into 30 ml of coconut oil and shake well. Apply this mixture to your legs and hands before you go out.
Apple Cider Vinegar with Essential Oils Spray
If you have essential oils that have mosquito-repelling properties, using it with apple cider vinegar can boost the repelling abilities. Apple cider vinegar carries the advantage of being mess-free, unlike essential oils.
You’ll not have the discomfort of an oily skin. The apple cider vinegar is a non-oily base that enhances mosquito repelling properties by creating a slightly acidic pH on your skin. Mosquitoes do not like this. (9)
DIY
To make this mixture, add 50 ml of apple cider to 50 ml of water and mix properly. Then add 10-12 drops of essential oil, e.g., eucalyptus oil, and shake well. Place the mixture in a small spray bottle or any bottle with a pump. Spray this mixture on your skin before you leave the house.
Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil
Tea tree oils have various applications, including promoting healing of mosquito bites, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties besides mosquito repelling properties.
According to studies, any repellent containing tea tree oil is effective against mosquitoes and other bugs.(10)
The tree oil, primarily, has a strong aroma that is chocking to the mosquitoes. Once they perceive the smell, the mosquitoes will run for their life. Experts advise against using the oil alone. Thus, combining it with carrier oils such as coconut oil is highly recommended.
DIY
Prepare the mixture by adding ten drops of tea tree oil to 30 ml of coconut oil and mix properly. To use the mix, apply it directly to your skin, especially the hands and the legs before you head out.
Lemongrass and Rosemary Essential Oil
When you combine these two essential oils, no mosquito species will want to come close to you. Look, lemongrass has strong mosquito-repelling components such as limonene and citronella, while rosemary packs an abundance of mosquito-repelling ingredients like eucalyptol, camphor, and limonene. When you combine these essential oils, then you get an incredible mosquito-repelling compound.(11), (12)
DIY
Prepare the mixture by adding 10 ml of rosemary and 10 ml of lemongrass to 60 ml of carrier oil, such as jojoba. Still, you can use 60 ml of water instead of carrier oil, especially if you want a solution spray.
Thoroughly mix the components to get a homogeneous mixture. When the mixture is ready, apply it directly to the skin in parts that are exposed- face, limbs/arms. Apply the mixture thrice a day.
Citronella
The effectiveness of citronella against mosquitoes is high. Citronella is made from a mix of different kinds of mosquito-repelling herbs. You can use a citronella candle when you are outdoors to repel mosquitoes effectively. (13), (14)
However, the citronella formulation must be well done for it to be effective. Otherwise, it may evaporate quickly from your skin, leaving you unprotected.
Neem oil
Neem is another essential and effective mosquito repellent. Currently, this oil is advertised as a natural alternative. Research has shown that it can provide up to 70 per cent protection from mosquitoes for up to 3 hours. (15)
However, you should note that neem oil is not approved to be used as a topical repellent because it causes skin irritation.
DIY
Prepare the essential oil, add 50 ml of neem oil to water, carrier oil or lotion, and mix thoroughly. When choosing an oil to use, select an oil that is extra virgin r cold-pressed.
Lavender Oil, Vanilla, and Lemon Juice Spray
Lavender is known for having a calming effect on humans, but to mosquitoes, it does exactly the opposite. Limonene, Linalool, Eucalyptol, and Camphor compounds found in the lavender are excellent mosquito repellents.
On the other hand, vanilla has a natural mosquito-repelling property, while the addition of lemon juice gives the combination of an acidic pH to keep the mosquito at bay. (16)
DIY
Prepare the mixture by adding 12 drops of lavender oil, four tablespoons of vanilla extract, and four tablespoons of lemon juice to 2 cups of water. Ensure that you thoroughly mix the contents to get a homogeneous mixture. Also, you can mix the lavender oil and vanilla extract first for effective outcomes.
Once ready, place the mixture in a bottle and use it on the exposed parts of your skin.
Garlic Spray
The allicin in garlic has strong repelling properties against mosquitoes. Besides, garlic itself has a strong smell which mosquitoes find it irritating, while its acidic nature enhances the repelling properties. (17)
DIY
Prepare the spray by mincing five cloves of garlic and soak overnight in water. Strain the garlic to get the solution. Add the infused oil, lime juice, and water and mix properly. Place the mixture in a bottle with a pump and apply it to your legs and arms.
Baking Soda with Vinegar Mosquito Trap
This measure is used to trap the mosquitoes. Typically, when you place baking soda together with vinegar, there will be a reaction that produces carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide attracts mosquitoes, which are trapped.
DIY
To make a mosquito trap, take an empty bottle, and cut it into two halves. In the lower halves, place a quarter cup of baking soda. Invert the upper half of on to the other half to resemble a funnel. Then pour the vinegar through it and place it outside the room.
The two components will react to attract to produce carbon dioxide that will attract the mosquitoes.
Infographic
FAQ
Do homemade mosquito repellents really work?
There are many natural ingredients like Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Lavender, etc. which mosquitos do not like. So homemade mosquito repellents work if combinations of ingredients as per this article.
Are homemade mosquito repellents safe?
Homemade mosquito repellents contain natural ingredients that do not harm us. They have a great smell and completely safe.