It doesn’t matter what diseases mosquitoes carry, be it Yellow Fever, Zika virus or West Nile. Mosquito bites are among the worst bug bites you can get.
Such is the annoyance and the health risks that come with bites from these insects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have complied Hiking Guide for Beginners of information on the subject.
However, there are times when you don’t have the chance to check out the Control and Prevention CDC pages, and you need a quick solution.
This guide shows you many of the best and natural mosquito repellents you can make with items for around the home, or what are inexpensive to make in comparison to manufactured chemicals for repelling mosquitoes.
How to Repel Mosquitoes
When you are looking at mosquito control, you can break this down into sections. In the first, we will look at how to deal with mosquitos outdoors.
How to get rid of mosquitoes outdoors
One of the best ways to do this; is to create a series of lit candles in jars; while you enjoy the warm weather on your patio.
These are easy to make and only need the following ingredients:
- Four mason jars
- Four tea light candles
- Two lemons and Two limes
- Water to fill the jars
- Eight sprigs of rosemary (fresh)
- Lavender essential oil – 40 drops
- Cedarwood essential oil – 40 drops
- Lemon essential oil – 40 drops
- Thieves’ essential oil – 40 drops
These are not just great as an outdoor mosquito repellent, they are an excellent way how to repel flies from the same location, and they look great.
- Slice the lime and lemons and put to the side
- Divide the rosemary sprigs between jars – 2 in each
- Fill jars three-quarter full with water
- Add all the drops of oil to each jar – 10 in each
- Add one slice of lemon and lime into each jar
- Add more water and then light your candle and place it on the water
- Place around where you will be sitting
Remove standing water because this is where you find mosquitoes breed. This is one of the first areas the Control and Prevention department will mention. It can be the most significant way to reduce mosquito-borne diseases.
Planting catnip in your garden will be more effective than your DEET repellent and is less toxic.
How to Keep Mosquitos from Biting You
While you can repel mosquitoes, there are many instances where this isn’t enough. Once you are away from these candles, you can quickly become a mosquito magnet, such as if you are away hiking or camping.
The reason they are attracted to humans is the carbon dioxide emitted from the skin, and other aromas are irresistible. It is, for this reason, many individuals as what repels mosquitoes most effectively.
Read our Hiking Guide for Beginners
We saw you could purchase off the shelf mosquito repellents, yet on some individuals, these can cause skin irritation because of the active ingredients.
Another thing to note about some of the best natural repellents is they are more effective than store varieties.
Iowa State University found using catnip is less toxic than DEET, although ten times more effective as an insect repellent.
Because it has a beautiful smell, many people ask does lavender repel mosquitoes. The good news is that lavender can be one of the main ingredients in any natural mosquito repellent you make.
Mosquitos don’t like the smell, so even adding lavender plants in the garden is a great way to keep them away.
Here are two quick natural repellents you can make, so if you are at home or away camping, you can prevent mosquito bites.
Read our Camping Guide for Beginners
Mint Mosquito Repellent
Any mint is effective at repelling mosquitoes, and this recipe can work for hours at a time.
- 1/3 of a cup of cheap vodka or witch hazel (witch hazel preferable)
- 1/3 of a cup of apple cider vinegar
- 5 drops of mint essential oil
Add to a spray bottle and shake well before spraying and venturing outside.
Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent
1/2 a cup of witch hazel or sunflower oil
1 tablespoon of lemon eucalyptus oil
Add the eucalyptus oil to the witch hazel in a spray jar. Shake well and make sure to spray bare skin or rub it on before heading outside.
One thing to note is Soybean oil has been found as an effective way to protect children. This ingredient is moving into manufactured products, so if you buy, check there is over 2% oil of soybeans.
You can easily replace any carrier oil and add your essential oils directly to this.
Citronella
One of the most effective oils is citronella oil. If you add it to any homemade recipe, it can increase the potency of adding protection from mosquitos by 50%.
However, it does need to be a high-quality oil, and even then, it can only last around 2 hours. A good alternative is citronella candles, although you shouldn’t use these in enclosed areas.
Conclusion
While all these methods to keep mosquitos away, they are not suitable for every person. Even in use, if your young children are bitten badly, you should still seek medical advice.
A few things to know are: never use repellent under clothing.
Be sure to apply or spray on top of sunscreen, rather than underneath.
Any formula that uses oil of lemon eucalyptus be it a homemade recipe or a purchased one, these are not suitable for children under three years of age.
Following all the above, you can fight off any mosquitos from around the home, or while away camping and hiking easily and naturally.
One thing for sure is to always check on a small area of skin; the repellent doesn’t deliver any unexpected side effects.
