With the onset of monsoon, mosquito bites are the common problem with the prevalence of mosquito breeding. Besides bumpy and itchy skin, these mosquito bites often lead to diseases like Dengue.
With a lot of mosquito repellent available in the market, most of them are loaded with chemical compositions which can be harmful to be used in the long run. However, you are constrained to use such products to escape these mosquito bites.
DEET-based chemical repellents are highly recommended for people who are at high risk of disease-carrying mosquito bites.
However, fewer of us know that there are several natural mosquito repellents available in the market that remain good to your skin and environment too, click here to know more!
Here are the 10 best natural repellents for mosquitoes:
If you have longer stays in your backyard or frequently spend time at camping sites, these natural repellents can help you largely.
Geraniol Oil
Often used as a flavor or fragrance, this is a type of alcohol.
Citronella
Citronella is a mix of many herbs which is actively used in many mosquito repellents as an effective essential oil. It is a natural and common essential oil that offers 50% extra protection against mosquito bites.
If formulated correctly, it can be effective at par with DEET chemical composition and extends protection up to 2 years after application.
How to make mosquito repellent spray using Citronella?
Boil 1 cup of water and add 3-4 tablespoons of fresh or dried citronella. Cover the bowl with a lid to let the water absorb its essence. Once cool down, drain out the citronella and pour the water in a spray bottle.
Add 1 Cup of rubbing alcohol and ½ teaspoon of glycerin. Store in a refrigerator and shake well before use.
Lavender
Lavender oil is an effective remedy to repel mosquitoes. You can use crushed lavender flowers as well. Lavender oil is loaded with antiseptic, analgesic, and antifungal properties to be widely used for several purposes.
Besides preventing mosquito bites, it helps in calming and soothing your skin.
How to make lavender oil mosquito repellent?
Using an indoor planter, you can grow lavender to prevent mosquito prevalence inside the house. Also, you can grow them outdoors. Crush the lavender flower and squeeze out the oil. Apply it to the mosquito bite area to soothe. Apply it to sensitive body areas like arms and ankles to avoid mosquito bites.
Tea Tree Oil
This popular essential oil from Australia is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties. It is an effective mosquito repellent that works well against bush flies and biting midges due to its strong aroma.
How to make tea tree oil mosquito repellent?
Take 30 ml of coconut oil and add 10 drops of tea tree oil. Add distilled water or vodka to make it an effective homemade mosquito repellent spray.
Neem Oil
With an efficacy of 70%, neem oil is often advertised as a natural alternative to mosquito repellent. It is widely used for topical application but may lead to skin irritation as well. Use cold-pressed neem oil to make a homemade mosquito repellent.
How to make Neem oil mosquito repellent?
Add 100 ml of neem oil in water, lotion, or any oil and mix it well. Store it in a cool dry place.
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is considered an efficient mosquito repellent and is safe for children and pets. Many insect repellents consist of 2% soybean oil offering protection from 1 hour to 4 hours when applied over the skin. The composition of such repellent is the same as the amino acid alanine.
How to use soybean oil as a repellent?
Add the essential oils like rosemary, geranium, catnip, peppermint, eucalyptus, and cedarwood along with soybean oil to a bottle. Shake it vigorously for complete blending. You can store it for up to 1 year.
Thyme Oil
Thyme oil is considered the best repellent when used for malaria-spreading mosquitoes. It offers a protection rate of 91% as per the study on hairless mice. While camping, throwing the thyme leaves into fire offers 85% protection rate from mosquitoes for 1 – 1.5 hour.
How to make a thyme oil-repellent?
Take one teaspoon of any base oil like jojoba or olive oil and add 4 drops of thyme oil. Apply this on your skin as an effective mosquito repellent. Alternatively, you can add 2 ounces of water with 5 drops of thyme oil to be used as mosquito repellent spray.
Lemon Eucalyptus oil
It is one of the most well-known mosquito repellents which is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Any mixture containing 32% of lemon eucalyptus oil can provide protection up to 95% from the mosquitoes’ bites for up to 3 hours.
How to make a Eucalyptus oil mixture at home?
Take 10 parts of sunflower oil and 1 part of lemon eucalyptus oil and mix them. Store tightly in a spray bottle. This mixture is safe to use for children under 3 years.
Cinnamon Oil
Prevalent in our food and dessert, cinnamon is a healthy addition to our diet. And cinnamon oil can kill mosquito eggs, suggested in various studies. This oil acts as a suitable repellent for mosquitoes, specifically Asian tiger mosquitoes.
How to prepare a cinnamon mix at home?
Take 4 ounces of water with 1/4th teaspoon of 1% diluted cinnamon oil solution. Add them in a spray bottle and use them when required. You can spray it around the house, on your clothes, and even on your skin. It helps in repelling mosquitoes. However, it can irritate sensitive skin.
Greek Catnip Oil
The white and pink flowers – Nepeta parnassian grows up to 18 inches and belongs to the family of mint. The extract and oil from its bruised leaves work as an effective mosquito repellent. Compared to the DEEP chemical compositions, catnip is considered 10 times more effective in repelling mosquitoes, as per Lowa State University.
How to make Greek Catnip Oil mosquito repellent?
Take one cup of isopropyl alcohol, water, and ½ teaspoon of Greek Catnip Oil. Add all these ingredients to a spray bottle and use it over your clothing. However, this repellent should not be used for children and pets.
