How to Repel Mosquitoes: A Comprehensive Guide
Mosquitoes are not only irritating but also pose health risks as they transmit diseases such as West Nile virus and the Zika virus.
As the weather gets warmer and days get longer, it becomes crucial to implement effective methods to repel mosquitoes and enjoy the outdoors.
This comprehensive guide will provide numerous tips and solutions on how to repel mosquitoes, ensuring a safe and enjoyable time outside.
How to Repel Mosquitoes without Bug Spray
While bug sprays can be effective in repelling mosquitoes, there are many other methods that do not require the use of harsh, toxic chemicals.
This section explores various ways to repel mosquitoes while soaking up the outdoors.
1. Install Air Curtains
Air curtains are effective in keeping mosquitoes away from guests at concession stands, customer entrances, and drive-up windows in many fast-food restaurants.
Their effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes makes them ideal for use in residential outdoor living spaces.
Air curtains are simple to install and maintain, and their screen of air keeps bugs of all kinds away.
2. Utilize Mosquito Misting Systems
Mosquito misting systems are another method to eliminate flying pests and mosquitoes from your outdoor living areas.
They can be either tankless or drum-based systems that you can activate on a schedule or by remote.
The system uses Pyrethrin, which is a chrysanthemum extract. These units are easy to install and operate.
3. Create Bug Repellent Luminaries
Homemade mosquito repellent luminaries made from Mason jars and essential oils are not only effective in repelling mosquitoes outdoors but also enhance the ambiance of your outdoor living area.
To make bug repellent luminaries, follow these steps:
Mosquito and Bug Repellent Luminaries
- 4 Mason jars
- 40 drops lavender essential oil
- 40 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 40 drops lemon essential oil
- 40 drops Thieves essential oil
- 2 fresh lemons
- 2 fresh limes
- 8 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Water
- Floating tea light candles
Slice the lemons and limes with a small knife and set aside. Separate the rosemary and place two sprigs in each jar.
Fill the jars 3/4 full of water. Add the essential oils to the jars, using ten drops for each jar.
Add a slice of lemon and a slice of lime to each jar. Place a floating candle on top of the water. Add a little more water if needed.
Once you put the ingredients in the jar, put them outside, and light them to keep mosquitoes away. Replace the tea lights as needed, and discard the fruit and liquid every few days.
4. Remove Standing Water
Mosquitoes love standing water as it serves as a breeding ground for laying their eggs.
To prevent mosquito larvae from becoming adult mosquitoes, eliminate standing water in your yard.
This includes birdbaths, dog water dishes, drainage systems, and ponds.
If you cannot remove these sources, treat them often with bug repellent to minimize mosquito breeding.
5. Use Portable Traps and Systems
Portable traps are an inexpensive option to repel mosquitoes.
These systems run on batteries and propane, and one unit can cover up to an acre, luring mosquitoes to the system and trapping them.
It is an excellent way to get rid of mosquitoes since the traps operate 24/7. It may take up to ten days before you see a reduction in mosquito numbers.
6. Employ Citronella Candles
Citronella plant oil in candles is one of the best ways to repel mosquitoes outdoors.
Purchase citronella candles at any grocery or home improvement store.
Rub citronella essential oil on the skin to repel mosquitoes as well.
7. Make Use of Essential Oils
Various essential oils work well in repelling mosquitoes.
The best essential oils for repelling these pests are lavender oil, citronella oil, and lemongrass oil.
Lemon eucalyptus oil and eucalyptus essential oils are also effective.
Researchers at Iowa State University found that using catnip is less toxic and ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.
8. Employ Crushed Garlic
Crushed or minced garlic serves as a natural mosquito repellent.
The sulfur in garlic sends mosquitoes, black flies, ticks, fleas, and stink bugs away.
Sprinkling cut garlic around your yard helps keep your garden pest-free.
Alternatively, spray homemade garlic-infused insect repellent on the plants surrounding your patio.
Homemade Garlic-Infused Mosquito Repellent
- Mineral oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
- 2 pints water
Add the garlic and the mineral oil to a medium-sized jar and stir to mix. Seal with a lid and let the mixture stand for 24 hours or more.
Open the jar and strain out the garlic.
This will give you garlic-infused oil. Combine the garlic-infused oil with liquid dish soap and add it to a pint of water.
Add two tablespoons of the oil and dish soap mixture to one pint of water.
Pour the new mixture into a spray bottle. To ensure the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, shake the bottle well.
Spray on any outdoor plants in areas where you want to repel mosquitoes.
Plants that Repel Mosquitoes
Certain plants can serve as your best defense against mosquitoes.
Not only do plants offer a natural, toxin-free alternative to bug sprays containing harmful chemicals like DEET, but they can provide beautiful landscaping and, in some cases, delicious herbs for cooking.
Here are a few plants that repel mosquitoes.
1. Bee Balm
Bee balm is an attractive plant with various uses in the kitchen and medicinal applications. It also serves as a mosquito repellent.
The flowers, as well as the crushed, dried leaves, repel mosquitoes. Planting bee balm near your patio will help keep mosquitoes at bay.
2. Cadaga Tree
The cadaga tree, or eucalyptus torelliana, serves as a barrier to repel mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes dislike the scent of the tree, keeping them away from any area where it is planted.
3. Catnip
Planting catnip in your yard is a non-toxic alternative to traditional bug sprays containing DEET.
Catnip is effective at repelling mosquitoes because one of its ingredients, nepetalactone, is non-toxic and ten times stronger than DEET.
4. Lavender
Lavender is not only a lovely and fragrant plant, but it is also an excellent way to help repel mosquitoes outside.
Mosquitoes dislike lavender and they stay far away from any area containing the plant.
Lavender essential oils also ward off these pesky insects.
Apply it to your ankles, feet, or wrists, and watch the mosquitoes avoid you. If you have sensitive skin, mix the oil with cream before applying.
5. Marigold
Mosquitoes dislike marigolds, so planting the fragrant flower in your yard helps keep mosquitoes away.
Cut flowers from the plant and place them around your patio to keep mosquitoes away from you and your guests.
6. Eucalyptus
The natural oil found in the eucalyptus tree is excellent for repelling mosquitoes and keeping them away from you when you are outside.
You can plant eucalyptus in your yard and use the natural oil from the tree on your skin to keep mosquitoes away.
The gentle formula in many commercial bug sprays also works to keep sandflies, midges, fruit flies, stable flies, and ticks away.
Herbs that Repel Mosquitoes
In addition to plants, there are various herbs that can help repel mosquitoes. You can plant these herbs in your garden or store them in your pantry for a quick mosquito repellent.
1. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is an excellent herb for keeping mosquitoes at bay. The leaves contain citronella, a natural repellent.
You can grow the lemon balm plant in your backyard to create a barrier against the pests.
You can also crush the lemon balm leaves and rub them on your skin for an easy repellent on the go.
2. Basil Leaves
Planting basil in your yard helps keep mosquitoes from feeding on your family. It is one of the herbs that repel pests without crushing the leaves
. While there are many different basil varieties, cinnamon basil and lemon basil are the most potent herbs for keeping mosquitoes at bay.
3. Clove
Clove, a staple in many spice cabinets, makes an excellent mosquito repellent.
The oil is found in commercial pesticides that control numerous household and garden pests.
Use clove essential oil on your clothes to keep mosquitoes away for several hours.
4. Mint
All varieties of mint, both cultivated and wild, are effective for repelling mosquitoes and other annoying insects.
The aroma released when the plants are crushed is repulsive to insects, so growing mint around your outdoor living space will help keep mosquitoes away.
Mint Mosquito Repellent Spray Recipe
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup witch hazel or cheap vodka
- 5 drops mint essential oil
This mint repellent spray works for many hours. You can also use mint essential oil like peppermint on your skin to keep pests from biting you.
To make mint mosquito repellent spray, put the ingredients in a plastic spray bottle with a funnel.
Shake the bottle to mix. Before going outside, spray yourself with the solution to keep mosquitoes at a distance.
Keep plenty of this bug repellent around during warmer months. Using mint mosquito repellent is a natural, safe alternative to the store-bought bug sprays that often contain DEET.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary acts as a natural mosquito repellent. Keep mosquitoes away from your deck in the summer by placing several pots of rosemary along the perimeter.
Bring the pots inside during the coldest months since they don’t tolerate extreme weather well for extended periods.
Colors that Repel Mosquitoes
Wearing certain colors can help repel mosquitoes. You become less attractive to annoying bugs and mosquitoes when wearing these colors.
1. White
Repel almost any insect, including mosquitoes, by wearing white clothes.
According to the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University, insects and mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors because they trap the CO2 produced by your body, which appeals to mosquitoes.
Reduce the number of bites you get by wearing white clothing when you are outside.
2. Light Colors
Vibrant clothing, like pastels and cream-colored clothing, helps repel mosquitoes.
Avoid wearing dark colors like navy and black to keep mosquitoes from biting you.
3. Yellow
Mosquitoes can barely see the color yellow, so wearing yellow clothing helps to repel mosquitoes when you are outside.
Yellow lights strung up outside also repel mosquitoes and prevent them from biting you.
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away While Camping
The quickest way to ruin a camping trip is to become a feast for mosquitoes.
Along with the methods mentioned above, there are other things you can do to keep everyone from becoming a mosquito magnet.
1. Choose the Right Clothing
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, make sure to wear the proper clothes, including long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Make sure to wear lighter colors since mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors.
2. Use a Mosquito Repellent
For exposed skin, use a mosquito repellent. Many bug sprays are available at the store; however, many of them contain DEET and can cause an allergic reaction.
Numerous essential oils are effective as a chemical-free alternative to insect spray.
Rub one of these essential oils on your skin to repel mosquitoes when camping: Lemongrass, Citronella oil, Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Manuka, Clove, and Catnip.
3. Light a Campfire
Your campfire smoke deters mosquitoes and other flying pests around you while camping.
If you can’t keep the fire burning overnight, make sure there is a mesh door on the tent to help keep mosquitoes outside.
Homemade Natural Mosquito Repellent
For repelling mosquitoes when you are outside, there are many commercially produced bug sprays. T
he only problem is that they contain DEET.
This chemical has been touted as an effective bug repellent for years, but the side effects of the chemical outweigh the benefits.
Here are some natural, chemical-free bug repellent recipes that you can make at home.
1. Homemade Garlic Mosquito Repellent
Here is another homemade mosquito repellent using garlic. A garlic-infused mixture repels mosquitoes and other insects.
Garlic Anti-Mosquito Repellent Spray
- Minced garlic
- Mineral oil
- Lemon juice
- Spray bottle
In a small bowl, cover minced garlic with the mineral oil. The mixture should stand for at least 24 hours.
After 24 hours, mix two cups of water with a teaspoon of the oil and one teaspoon lemon juice.
Strain the mixture to remove pulp and garlic from the oil. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle and shake to mix.
Spray on the plants around your yard to create a barrier that mosquitoes will think twice before crossing.
2. Homemade Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito Repellent Recipe
- 1 tablespoon lemon eucalyptus essential oil
- ½ cup witch hazel or sunflower oil
In a small container, mix the sunflower and lemon eucalyptus oils. Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle or jar and store in a cool, dry place.
When going outside, spray or rub the homemade repellent on your skin and watch as the mosquitoes flee.
3. Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent
Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent Diffuser Spray
- ¼ cup of vegetable oil
- 5 drops eucalyptus oil
- 8 drops cedar essential oil
- 1 drop peppermint oil
- 4 drops lavender oil
- 2 drops rosemary oil
- 2 drops juniper oil
- 1 clove oil
- 1 drop cinnamon essential oil
In a small bowl, combine the ingredients. Pour the liquid into a plastic spray bottle via a funnel. When you go outside, spray your clothes. Store in a plastic spray bottle until needed.
Learning how to repel mosquitoes effectively is essential for enjoying the outdoors during warmer months.
This comprehensive guide has provided you with numerous tips and solutions to keep mosquitoes at bay and ensure a safe and enjoyable time outside.
Share this information with friends and family to help them stay protected from mosquitoes and enjoy their time outdoors.
Shery
