DIY Mosquito Repellent: How to Make Natural Repellents

How to Make Natural Repellents for Mosquitoes

When it comes to keeping mosquitoes away, a DIY mosquito repellent is the most natural way to go. Before opting for professional mosquito control, most people try to cure the problem on their own. Go to your local drugstore, and you'll find various mosquito repellents for sale. However, take a closer look and you'll see that they are full of chemicals. Not everybody wants to scrub their skin with strange and bizarre ingredients, so what do you do?

The easy answer is to make your own DIY mosquito repellent. By doing so, you can regulate what goes into it, and make it as natural as possible.

Consider Essential Oils

The first area to explore for DIY mosquito repellent has to be essential oils. There are several options, but it's worth noting that some are better than others. Some essential oils would need to be applied on an hourly basis.

The key essential oils to consider using include:

Clove oil
Lemon eucalyptus oil
Geranium
Citronella
Patchouli

If you plan on using essential oils, you need to mix them with a carrier oil before applying. Not doing this will lead to skin irritation.

Why Essential Oils Work

So, why do those essential oils work so well? For a number of them, they appear in the list of ingredients for commercial repellents. Take lemon eucalyptus oil as an example. According to various studies, it sits just behind DEET and Picaridin when it comes to effectiveness as a repellent. There are even commercial repellents where this oil is at the root of it.

Think of the number of outdoor products with citronella that are aimed explicitly at repelling mosquitoes. If they can produce it on a large scale, then making your own version with citronella oil makes sense.

The reason essential oils work often comes down to their aroma. Some scents are just not appealing to mosquitoes.

How to Make DIY Mosquito Repellent

It's easier than you think. You need to have a carrier oil of some kind. The most common include:

Jojoba oil
Coconut oil
Almond oil
Olive oil

Generally, you may want to include two tablespoons of the oil mixed with two tablespoons of witch hazel for added effect. Then add your essential oils — making sure they are 100% natural. You can use as many as 100 drops of essential oils, breaking that up between different scents. That means you could include 50 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil matched with some lavender and thyme or rosemary.

Warnings About DIY Mosquito Repellent

These repellents shouldn't be used on anybody under three years of age.
Test any repellent on a small patch of skin first to check that you aren't allergic.

Making your DIY mosquito repellent is fast and easy. Yes, it might not be as effective as commercial products, but it will be safer to use. If you store it in a dark bottle and keep it in a cool spot, it should last long enough for you to get through the bottle.

When to Call a Professional

If DIY methods aren't providing adequate relief from mosquitoes, it's time to call in the professionals. Rest Easy Pest Control offers comprehensive mosquito control programs to protect your yard and family. Call us at 888-927-9842 for a free mosquito control consultation.