How to Make Natural Homemade Mosquito Repellent

Here comes Summer and a lot of outdoor activities.

One of the things that really "Bugs" me are infestations of mosquitoes. They can be painful an also, depending on the type, very dangerous. There is nothing like being covered with welts when you return home. They also make me sick so I detest them.

I have purchased many types of mosquito repellents in the past but prefer homemade. When I was in college and when I was on an archaeological excavation, I found that the best repellent was homemade. We all made the recipe below and would carry our own bottle. We could be out in the woods for hours and not be bothered.

Please give this recipe a try to let me know what you think. I have also included some other healthy ways to repel mosquitoes.

Wikimedia Commons

Flickr Commons

A great idea!

I had no idea that you could use natural products as a bug repellent.

This is a common recipe that you can use. You may have heard of it, or have heard of a variation using one or more of the ingredients listed. I have made this and used more or less of each of the ingredients but what I am showing below seems to have the best concentrations.

You can use garlic or other methods that include vinegar. I have included some of those below. However, those do not smell as pleasant as the lemon juice, vanilla and lavender version. It almost smells like a mild air freshener but the mosquitoes hate it.

Give it at try. It is safe and uses common ingredients.

Flickr Commons

Flickr Commons

This is the recipe for the best homemade mosquito repellant. It is organic and contains no toxic chemicals. Please just don't spray it on your face or in your eyes.

If you allergic to any of the ingredients, please consult with your medical provider before use.

Flickr Commons

• Either eliminate standing water or treat it - You would be surprised how many mosquitoes can breed in something as small as a bird bath.
• Grow or use plants that naturally repel mosquitoes - Some plants, such as marigold, sage, catnip and rosemary can be grown or crushed an rubbed on skin to repel mosquitoes
• Use your barbecue - In other words, throw some of the herbs mentioned above on your grill either while cooking or afterwards. These will keep mosquitoes out of your area.
• Save that garnish! - if you use parsley, put some in a small jar of apple cider vinegar and after a day or two, rub it on your skin. This mixture will repel mosquitoes.
• Invite Batman to your house - Well not exactly, if you set up a house that will attract bats, each bat can consume over 500 mosquitoes per hour!
• Don't be lazy, get rid of your weeds - Adult mosquitoes love to rest in tall weeds. Getting rid of them will not give the mosquitoes a recreational rest.
• If you don't have any repellent, where light colored clothing - White is the best, mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, especially black.
• Install outdoor patio fans - Mosquitoes don't appreciate wind or moving air and sitting under or near a fan will keep them away.
• Save energy while repelling mosquitoes - Mosquitoes hate fluorescent light. Putting fluorescent bulbs outside will not attract them, it will do the opposite.
• Mosquitoes are like vampires, they hate garlic! - If you eat garlic, your pores will exude the oil or you can mix it in a bottle with water and spray it on yourself. Don't use too much or you'll keep away more than mosquitoes.

Flickr Commons