Natural Mosquito Repellant

With the scare of Zika virus and the yearly complaint of big bites, we are all turning to ways to rid ourselves of those pesky bloodsuckers - Mosquitoes. However, before you reach for the DEET or other chemical-laden big repellant, consider ways to prevent bites that aren't toxic to you.

Reduce Mosquitoes in Your Yard

A great way to keep mosquitoes from biting you is to make sure your yard and home are not inviting them to come around. 

• Cover your septic tank tube with a mesh or cover that won't allow mosquitoes to get in or out.
• Clear up any standing water that you can. 
• Reconsider a pond or any other area of standing water if you are landscaping.
• Don't kill spiders, frogs, bats, or other bug-eating critters in your yard. If you see them near or where you don't want them, simply move them or have a professional come collect them rather than killing them. 

Once you've prevented your yard from becoming a stomping ground for buggy vampires, now it is time to consider protecting yourself from those that might come uninvited or to cover yourself and your loved ones when camping, hiking, and other travels that might take you into infested lands.
Some of the best repellants are natural herbs and essential oils. These not only smell good and look nice but some contain natural chemicals that bugs hate!

​Essential Oils that Repel Mosquitoes

Citronela Clove Eucalyptus Geranium Lavender Lemon Lemongrass Tea Tree

Herbs that Repel Mosquitoes

​Artemisias such as Mugwort and Wormwood Basil Catnip and Catmint Citronella Cloves Lavender Lemon Balm Marigolds Rosemary

How do I use these Natural Repellants?

​Make a big off spray - blend your favorite of the above mentioned essential oils (about 10-20 drops total) with 1 part vodka or drug store witch hazel and 1 part distilled water in a dark or opaque spray bottle and use as you would any other spray on bug repellent. Avoid contact with eyes or mouth, don't spray on the face and be sure to use safe essential oils and dilute further if you are going to use it on children. My favorite blend is lemongrass, tea tree, and lavender (about 4-5 drops each) - I use this on myself and on my baby boy (his clothes, not his skin).

Light candles with the above mentioned herbs or oils in them. I accidentally made a mess of a candle that was supposed to be layered and have floating lavender herbs in it. The layers all blended together, the oil seeped out of the sides, and the lavender went into clumps despite me following the directions in my candle-making book. While it wasn't attractive or that good of a candle, it made a great bug-bomb for when we were outside. I put it in a burn-safe dish, lit it and the herbs and wick all caught fire and turned the oils and wax in the candle into a sort of lamp that drove away all the bugs with a sweet lavender scent. Damon said I should make more lavender bug bombs for this year, haha!

Diffuse the above mentioned oils in diffusers around the area you will be in if camping, hanging out in your yard, etc.
Grow the above mentioned herbs in containers or a garden around your house.
Smudge with the above mentioned herbs or add them to your camp fire.
Make a pomador with clove buds stuck in a lemon, lime, or orange. These are not just for the winter holidays! They smell great and I've even seen people make cute designs with the cloves in theirs. ​