DIY Natural Mosquito Repellent

DIY Natural Mosquito Repellent Using Essential Oils

ByOrganic Aromas

Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Pegura Chad

Mosquitoes are such a pain in the bottom. These pesky little flying insects are the bane of the outdoor enthusiast’s existence, and they’re entirely too persistent for our own good. Thankfully for us, there are a couple of quick and easy DIY natural mosquito repellents that you can make in your own home.

Fortunately, essential oils are part of a solution which doesn’t have to break the bank – and we’re here to tell you how to make your very own natural mosquito and insect repellent using our citronella essential oil and just a few other ingredients. Let’s get started!

First off, we wanted to go over a brief list of the essential oils that can be used, and what insect they work best for, in case mosquitoes aren’t your only problem this summer.

What Essential Oils Repel Mosquitoes?

There are a number of essential oils that can be used as mosquito repellents. Some of the most effective include:

What Scents Do Mosquitoes Hate?

The most common scents that mosquitoes really seem to dislike and are often found in insect repellents are:

  1. Citronella oil
  2. Lemongrass oil
  3. Lavender oil
  4. Eucalyptus oil

 

DIY Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent Recipes

Recipe One – Natural Mosquito Repellent Spray

The “ingredients” and materials you will need for this particular insect repellent are:

  • 1 12oz bottle of Witch Hazel (one without alcohol or parabens is your best bet for a completely natural repellent)
  • 15 drops of citronella essential oil
  • 15 drops of lemongrass oil
  • 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
  • 10 drops of tea tree oil (optional, but works great if you have ticks as well)
  • 1 funnel
  • 1 empty spray container
  • 1 empty mixing jar to mix the ingredients in

With these, you’ll want to pour the witch hazel into the mixing jar, along with your essential oils. Once they are mixed well, you can use your funnel to pour them into the spray bottle, and go to town! Its best to shake the mixture up a little before each use to ensure it doesn’t separate, and you’re good to go.

 

Recipe Two – Homemade Mosquito Repellent Candle

This next recipe is for a mason jar luminary bug repellent candle, so not only do they keep the bugs away – they’re pretty, too! For the materials, you will need:

  • 2 8oz Mason jars
  • 1 16oz Mason jar
  • 40 drops of rosemary essential oil
  • 15 drops of citronella essential oil (optional)
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 key limes (or 1 lime)
  • 8 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • 3 tea light candles
  • 32oz of water

With these gathered, you’ll first want to start by slicing the lemon and lime(s), and placing 3-4 slices of both in each Mason jar. Next in goes 4 rosemary sprigs for the large jar and 2 for each small jar – set those aside. Fill a measuring cup with your water and essential oils, and stir them well to combine, emptying the contents equally into each Mason jar afterwards. Your tea lights are next, and all you have to do is take them out of their containers, sit them on top of the water, light, and enjoy!

Recipe Three – DIY Natural Mosquito Lotion

Mosquito repelling lotion
This this recipe is for a mosquito-repelling lotion, so if you’re someone who has dry skin all year round, this one’s for you! The materials you will need are:

For this one, the directions are incredibly easy. You’ll want to first mix all of your essential oils, and then mix them thoroughly with the virgin coconut oil. Once thoroughly mixed, allow the coconut oil to harden. Once that is done, you’ll simply scoop some out before you go and spread it onto the skin to keep the pests away!

Nebulizing Diffuser by Organic Aromas

Recipe Four – Use an Essential Oil Blend in a Nebulizing Diffuser

This might be the most effective method to keep mosquitoes away. The best part about using a Nebulizing Diffuser™ is you don’t have to apply anything directly to your skin. The materials you will need are:

The directions are relatively easy. You can mix and match and add different amounts of essential oils until you find a scent that is pleasing to you and your family and very unpleasant to pesky mosquitoes.

Scientific Research on Essential Oils Repelling Mosquitoes

There has been some scientific study on the use of essential oils to repel mosquitos. One such study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that a blend of essential oils including citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and eucalyptus was effective in repelling mosquitos.

Toxicity and Safety of EOs as Repellents

There is little toxicity and safety data available on essential oils as repellents. However, some essential oils may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. It is important to test a small amount of essential oil on a patch of skin before using it to repel mosquitoes. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid essential oils altogether.

 *** Disclaimer *** 

Do Not Use on Your Pets! When using essential oils be aware that young children, older adults and pets (like cats, dogs and birds) can be affected differently by these powerful aromas.

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48 Comments

  1. Would love a formula for a yard spray that can ward off mosquitoes for a few weeks at a time. I’m using garlic and it does work but it takes several attempts to get it going once the nasty biting season begins. I’d also appreciate a recommendation for the best essential oil to add to the garlic that’s safe for animals that would enhance the smell to help detour mosquitoes from wanting to come more often. Any advice will be most appreciated. Thank you.

  3. What have you been up to? I am fascinated about covid19. Can you talk about it? If the same thread is opened please redirect my post :). Thanks :).

    PS: I don’t know any people with covid and you? rambo 😀

  12. I am making a mosquito repellent as a science experiment and i am comparing it to leading brand repellents. I think this was really helpful and I loved that you put several different forms of repellents like sprays, lotions, candles, etc. Great Idea!!!

  13. A friend made recipe #1 spray for me with witch hazel base and I’m wondering if it would be ok to spray on my clothes or if I need to saturate my skin and allow to dry prior to dressing? And wondering how often I’d need to reapply if get drenched (rainy season in Africa) or sweat alot?
    Any help is great – thanks!

  14. Whatever you do, DO NOT USE TEA TREE OIL IF YOU HAVE PETS!!! It’s a harmful neurotoxin to dogs. It causes seziures, lethargy, vomiting, odd behavior and other things. Whatever you do. Do not use it if you have pets!!!

  16. I use Vitamin B1. Thiame secreres from your pores and mosquitoes Or other bugs such as fleas or ticks don’t like it. Its got to be in your system for a week to work though. I also disfuse essential oils for the smell as well double the protection double the fun

  17. After researching a decent bug repellent, I opted to make the lotion, which turns out, isn’t really a lotion, since fractionated coconut oil does not harden. How about fixing the instructions so that future site visitors don’t waste their money? Smh…

  19. I am a volunteer in Tanzania and I can bring essential oils along, but I can’t buy coconut oil or witch hazel over there. Are there any other ingredients I could substitute?

  22. I made the lotion repellent, not with the liquid coconut oil tho, also without citronella, because that’s the only EO I didn’t have at the time. The repellent without citronella works amazing!!! I couldn’t believe it. I’m almost out of my first batch, but will definitely be making another batch soon. ♥️

  23. I did an accidental test of one of your recipes. I sprayed all my exposed skin and then went for a walk in the forest. I got about 50 bites through my clothes but not one where I’d used your spray. Next time I’ll spray my whole body, under my clothes, before getting dressed. But, in summary, your spray works great! Thanks so much for putting that information out there!

  24. Sorry to say, but none of the mentioned mosquito repellents work for me. I followed the recipes to the point and still the mosquitos persist in drawing my blood. Are the recipes maybe too weak?

  25. How is the lotion a lotion? It’s just essential oils and fractionated coconut oil, which are all liquid. I’m going to try making it with beeswax so it’s more of a salve than just oil.

  26. interested in your recipes, but when I print, most info is missing cause a caption prints over the ingredients, that says the likes of "someone in Las Vegas just added ……..etc., " I don’t care about that, I just want the recipes, but I’m forced to handwrite. On to someone else’s site.

  28. For those that asked – fractionated coconut oil will not harden. The long chain fatty acids have been removed. Just swap out fractionated for unrefined coconut oil and the recipe will work.

  29. How long does it take for the liquid for the lotion recipe to harden? I would have thought it would have happened by now. It’s been two days. Is there an ingredient missing in your recipe?

  32. Can I make my own mosquito spray or lotion by mixing peppermint, lemon and lavender oils? We are going to Zimbabwe and Botswana but i’m Not crazy about taking the pills that have lots of side affects.

  38. Can’t wait to try all of these recipes. Being in Canada we’ve had a wetter than normal summer forecasted so mosquitos will be a huge inconvenience. We had to start tick meds for our dog back in March.

  40. These are great ideas, Usually I don’t have much problems with bugs biting me but in the summer it gets so hot it drives the bugs crazy, causing me to grab the spray. And these seem like an effective natural alternative to try out.

  41. These are great ideas, Usually I don’t have much problems with bugs biting me but in the summer it gets so hot it drives the bugs crazy, causing me to grab the spray. And these seem like an effective natural alternative to try out.

  42. I am definitely going to make this essential oil recipe. My daughter has very sensitive skin so we try to stay away from the harsh chemicals that are found in the insect repellants that are sold in the stores. Thanks for the information.

  45. I’ve read conflicting articles about the effectiveness of citronella as a mosquito repellent. However, I’d be more than happy to try the DIY combinations you’ve shown above.

  46. Thank you for the information you have provided regarding how to deal with mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks using natural resources. I live in Louisiana and we have a major problem this time of year.

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