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Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me – Natural Mosquito Repellents

We hope everyone had a great Memorial Weekend. It was a great kick off to summer and reminded us about how nights on the patio can bring out those little biting busters, mosquitos! We all know that so many store bought repellents contain powerful chemicals that can be down right dangerous!

Here is an easy, at-home way to make natural mosquito repellent that is safe and effective. Please note that essential oils are potent and should be tested on children first, some skin irritations can occur. Also pregnant or nursing mommies should talk to their doctors first. Always best to be safe!

citronella_plant_citrosa_geranium_net

Citronella Plant pictured above

Natural Mosquito Repellent Ingredients

If you are making large amounts of mosquito repellent, a good rule of thumb is to mix the repellent so it’s 5-10% essential oil, so mix 1 part essential oil with 10-20 parts carrier oil or alcohol. For a smaller batch use:

  • 10-25 drops (total) of essential oils
  • 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil or alcohol

The essential oils that work well against mosquitoes are:

  • cinnamon oil
  • lemon eucalyptus oil
  • citronella oil
  • castor oil

Safe carrier oils and alcohols include:

  • olive oil
  • sunflower oil
  • any other cooking oil
  • witch hazel
  • vodka

Natural Mosquito Repellent Recipe

Mix the essential oil with the carrier oil or alcohol. Rub or spray the natural insect repellent onto skin or clothing, using care to avoid the sensitive eye area. You’ll need to re-apply the natural product after about an hour or after swimming or exercise. Unused natural insect repellent may be stored in a dark bottle, away from heat or sunlight.

Additional Sources:

Safe, All Natural Repellants

Safe Mama Cheat Sheet

2 Responses to Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me – Natural Mosquito Repellents

  1. Ashley says:

    I have made my own insect repellents in the past and have found them to be useful for small amounts of time. When I know that I am going to be outside for a long period of time I don’t want to have to worry about reapplying my repellent every hour. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) is the only plant-based ingredient approved by the EPA and CDC for use as a repellent. Studies have shown that OLE is as effective as DEET in protecting against ticks and mosquitoes. Cutter and Repel both make a Lemon Eucalyptus product and they work great!

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