How to Make Natural Mosquito Repellent
Updated: Jan. 24, 2024
Here's how to create an inexpensive mosquito repellent that will keep the bugs at bay and your bank account happy.
Have a problem with mosquitoes in your yard? Mosquitos are an issue for many of us each year. To keep these winged pests at bay, try a DIY homemade mosquito repellent for your yard. Many mosquito repellent recipes can be made with simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
Making a Homemade Mosquito Repellent
Just like you, mosquitoes find certain scents repulsive. Those scents include citronella, peppermint, basil, garlic, lemon balm, lavender, marigold, catnip, rosemary and eucalyptus. When making a homemade mosquito repellent for your yard, keep these scents in mind.
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Mouthwash and Beer Mosquito Repellent
InsectCop is a website dedicated to helping people fight mosquitoes in their backyards. The website offers this homemade mosquito spray that it notes has been very efficient at deterring mosquitoes. Just spray it throughout the yard and it will last about two and a half months.
Ingredients:
- One 16-ounce bottle of mint-flavored mouthwash
- 3 cups Epson salt
- 3 12-ounce bottles of stale beer (cheap beer works just fine)
Directions:
- Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix them together with a spoon until the Epson salt has dissolved completely.
- Use a funnel to pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
Read up on all the ways mouthwash can be used around the house.
Apple Cider Vinegar Mosquito Repellent
Can vinegar keep mosquitoes away? Yes! Mosquitoes are also repelled by the scent of vinegar, so try spraying this DIY homemade repellent, also from InsectCop, in your yard.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of water
- 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar
- 20-25 drops of Bug Off Oil (An all-natural oil made with a mix of citronella, peppermint, lemongrass, cedarwood and geranium.)
Directions:
- Mix all of the ingredients together and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
- This apple cider vinegar mosquito repellent is said to keep mosquitoes from coming into your yard for several weeks, but once you notice an increase in the number of pests again, you can re-apply the repellent without hesitation. Here are a few mosquito-repelling tips for enjoying time outdoors relaxing, and not chasing away mosquitoes.
If the mosquitoes do get you, here are some tricks to getting rid of itchy mosquito bites as quickly as possible.
Citronella Candles
Citronella candles are no more effective than other candles at keeping mosquitoes away. Candle smoke in general may have a limited effect. Likewise, planting Citrosa geraniums won't repel mosquitoes. Instead, check out these 11 natural bug repellents worth trying.
Outdoor Foggers and Misting Systems
Outdoor foggers and misting systems will temporarily reduce mosquito numbers, but they rise again as soon as the system turns off and the spray dissipates. However, this trick will get rid of most insects around your home.
Spraying Garlic
Spraying garlic will make your yard smell like an Italian dinner, but does little else. Instead, try these 26 expert-approved tips for controlling pests in and around your home.
Bug Zappers
Bug zappers attract and kill thousands of insects, but most of them aren't mosquitoes. They kill only a small number of mosquitoes in the area. (Ironically, they zap a lot of insects that prey on mosquitoes.) Here are 15 essential products for people who hate bugs.
Propane Gas Traps
Placing propane gas traps in your yard will effectively capture many mosquitoes, but again, only a small fraction of those in your yard.
Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices have no repellency value at all, according to studies. Find out more about ultrasonic devices and how they got popular.
Bat Towers and Purple Martin Houses
Building bat towers and purple martin houses to attract potential mosquito predators has been proven useless. Bats and purple martins rarely feed on mosquitoes.Originally Published: June 17, 2020
