How to Make DIY Mosquito Repellents

It’s mosquito season again, and you want to protect yourself and your family from the infuriating whine, bite, and itch of mosquitoes. The best mosquito control company in Des Moines wants to share our favorite natural mosquito repellents with you.

How DIY Mosquito Repellents Work

Mosquito repellents generally contain a liquid combined with essential oils. Most are fairly simple to create, and you can try different formulations to find what works best for each individual in your family, since everyone has a slightly different body chemistry and may have allergies to different types of chemicals.

Essential Oils to Use

These are some of the essential oils that have proven effective in warding off mosquitoes.

  • Cedarwood: A natural tick repellent you can add to other essential oils for a one-two pest punch. 
  • Lavender: Deters flies, ticks, mosquitoes, and gnats.
  • Lemongrass, eucalyptus, geranium, catnip, rosemary, citronella, and peppermint are all great as mosquito deterrents. 

Carrier Liquids

All essential oils require a carrier liquid to be effective. These bases may be any of the following:

Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol: May cause skin irritation to some people if used in a spray bottle.

  • ½ cup isopropyl alcohol
  • ½ cup water
  • 25 drops essential oil

Witch hazel: Most gentle if using your natural mosquito repellent in a spray bottle. Since witch hazel is odorless, it can be paired with any essential oil.

  • 1/3 cup witch hazel
  • 40 drops essential oil

Apple cider vinegar: This has a strong odor of its own, so pair it with a strong essential oil, such as rosemary, citronella, eucalyptus, or peppermint

  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 40 drops essential oil

Coconut oil: A great choice for children. The odor on its own is pleasant, so you can pair it with a lightly scented essential oil, such as lavender. Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature, warm the coconut oil until it is semi-solid, then add the ingredients to a small jar and shake. Apply by hand.

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 15 drops essential oil

Lemon juice: Boil ½ cup lemon juice with 2 cups water, then let it cool completely for approximately an hour before bottling. No essential oils needed!

When it’s Time to Call the Pros

Keep in mind that natural DIY mosquito repellents generally work only as long as you can smell the essential oil’s fragrance. After a few hours, more spray will have to be applied. If your yard is a mosquito haven, even frequent applications of DIY mosquito repellents may not be enough. 

If mosquitoes have taken over your yard, it’s time to protect your family by seeking professional help from your Des Moines mosquito control experts at Pro-Staff. Call us at 515-279-7378 or schedule a free consultation by contacting us online. We look forward to hearing from you, and making your backyard more hospitable to you and less hospitable to mosquitoes!

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