The Best Homemade Mosquito Repellents
Mosquitoes don’t discriminate by age, they bite everyone. Although there are studies that say mosquitoes bite a certain kind of person (some say by blood type, while others say because of sweat), it’s best to avoid them from getting in your home. Don’t hesitate to try these homemade mosquito repellents!
Homemade mosquito repellents
Below we will tell you about some of the most effective recipes to keep those annoying mosquitoes away, which can ruin a calm night or a dinner in the garden. The best part is that since they’re homemade with natural ingredients, you can use them if you have children or allergies.
Clove repellent
They say that this is the most effective repellent for mosquitoes. You will need baby shampoo, 1 liter of water, and 30 cloves. Make an infusion with the cloves and water, and pour it in the shampoo until you get a homogeneous mixture. Apply it all over the skin that will be exposed to inspects (arms, face, and feet).
Eucalyptus repellent
For this recipe, you will need 250 grams of eucalyptus leaves and 1 liter of water. Boil both ingredients for 45 minutes so that the leaves can release all of their essence. When it is still hot, pour it in humid areas in your home and on door and window frames. Mosquitoes will not come in as a result.
Chamomile repellent
You will need 250 grams of chamomile flowers and water (however much you need). Wash the chamomile well and rub it on your skin. Repeat every two hours.
Almond repellent
This is best for babies and children because it is very gentle and effective. Mosquitoes prefer babies and children because they don’t know how to defend themselves. The ingredients are:
- 100 mL of almond oil
- 20 drops of geranium essence
- 20 drops of basil essence
Make a mixture of all three and apply it to the skin.
Lavender repellent
You will need 100 mL of lavender oil and a moisturizing skin cream. Make a mixture with both and apply it directly. You will feel more fresh and protect yourself from mosquitoes.
We recommend:
How to Make And Use Lavender Oil
Citronella repellent
They say that this is one of the substances that acts the most as a mosquito repellent. You can get the oil as a spray, lotion, or towelettes to prevent the insects from bothering you or your family.
Eucalyptus repellent (Recipe II)
Eucalyptus essential oil has a very nice aroma and is effective for keeping mosquitoes away. Apply it to your skin and repeat after 6 hours. You can mix it with thyme, pennyroyal, basil, and lemon oil to strengthen its benefits.
Don’t forget to read:
Oil and alcohol mosquito repellent recipe
Chemical products can be harmful for you and your family’s health. This is why natural mosquito repellents are the best option. It has also been proven that they are effective and, above all, afforadble. In this case, a very good and popular recipe for repelling mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and ticks consists of:
- Between 10 and 25 drops of essential oil (cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus, citronella, castor oil)
- 2 tablespoons of oil (olive, sunflower, or corn) or 2 tablespoons of alcohol (96 percent, vodka)
Mix both of the oils of your choosing or the alcohol together. Rub it directly on your skin and clothes. Be careful to not come in contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Apply it again every hour if you go swimming or exercise, or if you have sweated from being in contact with the sun. Store the bottle of repellent in a dark and cool place. To make it have more consistency, you can add aloe vera gel.
Other types of mosquito repellents
- Put a few mint leaves on the patio, yard, or inside your home. You can grind them with a few drops of water so they release more odor.
- Always have a fresh basil plant (you can grow it in a small pot without any problems) and put it in your bedrooms so that mosquitoes don’t come in. The insects don’t like this aromatic plant which is why it is also used in gardens as a “living fence”.
- Put a little bit of water and some sliced garlic cloves in a bowl. Let them soak for a few hours and then put it in a spray bottle. Spray it all over your house, especially on curtains and corners of doors and windows. The sulfur in garlic repels mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and fleas.
- Eat a lot of vitamin C a day, especially if you are outside. It is soluble and doesn’t accumulate in your body, which will eliminate more sweat, something that mosquitoes hate.
- Put a glass with vinegar next to the window. The strong smell will make insects not want to go near it, much less come inside.
- Eat foods rich in vitamin B like lentils, almonds, and mushrooms.
- Use bunches of sprigs or basil to scare off the mosquitoes.
- Other interesting oils that act as mosquito repellents are castor oil, rosemary, pine, verbena, thyme, clove, geranium, and cedar.
Images courtesy of Dr. Relling, Eli Christman, Luksa Hofstetter, John Tann
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
Kongkaew, C., Sakunrag, I., Chaiyakunapruk, N., & Tawatsin, A. (2011). Effectiveness of citronella preparations in preventing mosquito bites: Systematic review of controlled laboratory experimental studies. Tropical Medicine and International Health. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02781.x
Tawatsin, A., Wratten, S. D., Scott, R. R., Thavara, U., & Techadamrongsin, Y. (2001). Repellency of volatile oils from plants against three mosquito vectors. Journal of Vector Ecology : Journal of the Society for Vector Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja063043+
Jaenson, T. G. T., Garboui, S., & Palsson, K. (2006). Repellency of oils of lemon eucalyptus, geranium, and lavender and the mosquito repellent MyggA natural to Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the laboratory and field. Journal of Medical Entomology. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585(2006)43[731:ROOOLE]2.0.CO;2
