Homemade Mosquito Repellent

Homemade Mosquito Repellent

Not a fan of bug spray, but you still want to keep mosquitoes away? Hey, we get it. Some of the chemicals in insect repellent could potentially cause problems. It doesn’t help that Florida’s mosquitoes are famously aggressive. You want to keep them off. Another complicating factor is how many different opinions there are about bug sprays. Everyone in a room is bound to have a different opinion on things like DEET. With all this uncertainty and necessity, what should one do? What kind of bug spray should you use? Instead of reaching for the friendliest-looking commercial spray, give some of these homebrew tricks a try!

But first, let’s talk about something else that’s a bit contentious.

Essential Oils

If you thought people could disagree about DEET, wait until you ask them about essential oils. Some people swear by the stuff; others swear it off. What are essential oils, though? They are the “essence” of a certain plant – And we mean that without any woo-woo. The hydrophobic oils are extracted from plants and retain the scent and flavor of the plant. That’s about it! Some bugs don’t like the oils in plants as it is, and in concentrated doses, they turn tail and run. The ones that work best for our purposes are lemon, lemongrass, catnip, citronella (who would have thought?), lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus.

Base Material for Mosquito Repellent

Now, some people rub the oil right in. We’re not recommending that one; there’s room for error. Instead, settle on a good and skin-friendly option to carry the oil. Apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, isopropyl alcohol, and coconut oil are the most popular options. We’ll give you a recipe for each! Pick your favorite, and make some homemade repellent.

1) Apple Cider Vinegar

– 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
– 1/4 cup water
– 40 drops of essential oil

Rosemary, lavender, and peppermint cover the smell of vinegar pretty well. Mix them together in a small spray bottle and give it a shake.

2) Witch Hazel

– 1/3 cup witch hazel
– 1/3 cup water
– 40 drops of essential oil
Using a small spray bottle, combine the liquids and shake to mix them. This is about as simple as it gets.

3) Isopropyl Alcohol

– 1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol
– 1/2 cup water
– 25 drops of essential oil

Similar to the above option, some people prefer it to other options. If, for some reason, you can’t tolerate witch hazel or have some isopropyl laying around, give it a shot! Prepare it the same way, in a little spray bottle.

4) Coconut Oil

– 1/3 cup coconut oil
– 15 drops of essential oil

This makes a great mixture for kids because it smells sweet and friendly. You can apply this one by hand, helped by coconut oil. Store in a little lidded jar.

Closing for Mosquito Repellent

And there you have it! Now, these might not provide the best service if you’re hiking for ten hours straight, but they’ll keep you pest-free in the backyard. Since some oils work better than others, experiment around and find a mix that works best for you. It’s cheaper and certainly safer than commercial chemicals. If you need more assistance, contact us at Total Pest Solutions.