Natural Repellent for Mosquitoes – 6 Ingredients To Prevent Bites
Mosquito bites are itchy bumps that form on the skin after a mosquito has fed on a person’s blood. They usually go away without treatment in just a few days. However, these bites can be very annoying and itchy as they become inflamed and swollen.
With this in mind, most people want to prevent mosquito bites in the first instance. In saying that, it is important to do this without causing harm to the mosquitos or releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. To help with this, we’re sharing some ways to naturally repel mosquitos.
*not all natural mosquito repellents will work the same for everyone. Keep trying until you find one for you and keep any antihistamines close at hand if you are allergic as you search for a natural mosquito-repellent that suits your needs.
Natural Repellent for Mosquitoes – Ingredients That Prevent Mosquito Bites
Below are some ingredients that help to repel mosquitoes and prevent the likelihood of bites.
- Cinnamon Oil
It should come as no surprise that cinnamon may be useful in repelling mosquito bites. After all, it works as a bee and ant repellent too. Studies have found cinnamon oil, in particular, can kill off mosquito eggs. Interestingly, cinnamon oil can also act as a repellent against adult mosquitoes.
In terms of how to use it, you can mix it with water to create a spray that you can spritz onto your clothing, skin, or around your home. Remember, it is important to dilute it as cinnamon oil is quite concentrated on its own and could irritate your skin.
- Citronella
Next on this list of potential natural repellents for mosquitoes is citronella. If you recognize the name, it’s because citronella is a common, effective, and natural essential oil. This essential oil can be particularly beneficial in repelling mosquitoes.
It is for this reason that citronella is a common ingredient in many mosquito repellent products already. You can use citronella to repel mosquitos in the same way as cinnamon oil, or you can simply purchase natural mosquito products that contain it as an active ingredient.
- Tea Tree Oil
Continuing with oils, tea tree oil is another excellent natural repellent for mosquitos. Melaleuca oil, or as it is commonly known, tea tree oil, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties. It is for these reasons, plus its strong smell, that this essential oil is considerably effective at repelling mosquitoes and preventing bites.
- Nootkatone
Nootkatone is another effective natural repellent for mosquitoes. It is an oil made from cedar trees and grapefruit skin.
Nootkatone has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be used in insecticides. Additionally, nootkatone has been found to not only repel biting insects but also kill them. Research has found it to offer several hours of protection.
- Castor Oil
Research has also found castor oil could be a potential natural repellent for mosquitos. It is a vegetable oil that is derived from castor bean seeds. While many use it for moisturizing and medicinal purposes, it can also be utilized as a pesticide.
One study assessed its ability on the bruchid beetle and discovered it causes mortality in the beetles and reduces the number of eggs they hatch. Another insect that castor oil can be particularly effective in repelling, is the dengue fever-carrying mosquito, Aedes aegypti.
- Garlic
Garlic isn’t just for keeping vampires away at Halloween time; it can also make for an effective natural repellent for mosquitoes. The strong smell of garlic can reduce a mosquito’s attraction to human odor.
However, research does find that 30 minutes after application, garlic stops being as effective. It is for this reason that a lot of people have recommended taking garlic tablets to make the effects last longer. However, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of garlic tablets for repelling mosquitos.
Easy Homemade Mosquito Repellent
Making your own natural repellent for mosquitoes couldn’t be easier. The biggest challenge is gathering all the ingredients you will need. You will need to decide which active ingredients you want to include.
Once you have decided on these ingredients, you’ll need some base ingredients such as water and vinegar or rubbing alcohol.
If you plan on using this spray on your skin, witch hazel is a better choice. For a spray you plan to use around your home, you should opt for rubbing alcohol.
You’ll want to add half a cup of distilled water and half a cup of either witch hazel or rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle. After this point, you should mix 30 to 40 drops of essential oil into your mixture.
The idea with the essential oils is to create a custom scent that makes the mosquitos less attracted to your natural scent. Once you have added your chosen essential oils to your spray bottle, all you need to do is give it a shake. From this point, all the ingredients will be combined and you will be able to start using your natural mosquito repellent spray.
Other Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Away
A natural repellent for mosquitoes will certainly help keep them at bay, but there are several other ways you can reduce the likelihood of getting bitten by mosquitoes.
For instance, try to stay in screened areas as opposed to open air. If screens have any tears or holes, you should repair them.
You can also utilize your air conditioning rather than opening windows to ensure you stay cool while not welcoming mosquitoes.
Another tip to keep mosquitos at bay is to clean up any standing water around and in your home. This is because mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. You should also avoid being outside during peak mosquito times.
In terms of avoiding mosquitos around your home, you’ll want a natural mosquito repellent for yards. This is where natural mosquito-repellent plants can be particularly useful.
For example, mosquitos dislike a range of plants like lavender, rosemary, basil, catnip, marigolds, and thyme. The smells and oils from these plants can act as a natural repellent for mosquitoes.
Summary – Will You Try These Natural Repellent for Mosquitoes?
Mosquito bites can be very painful, but there are natural ways to keep them at bay. Moreover, these natural methods will not harm the mosquitoes or release harmful chemicals into the Earth.
Hopefully, with our tips here, mosquito bites can be a thing of the past for you. Do let us know in the comments below if you will be trying any of these out and if you have any other suggestions for natural repellent for mosquitoes!
Looking for more natural insect repellents? Read all about our natural ant repellents and our natural bee repellent solutions.
