5 Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can ruin the perfect summer day, but they don’t have to. These five natural ways to repel mosquitoes can help prevent you from being bitten or avoid mosquitoes entirely.

woman spraying insect repellent

While we’re working on our landscaping and trying to improve it with these plants that repel mosquitoes, I’m also focusing on other natural ways to repel mosquitoes. We live in an area surrounded by woods so I’m looking for all the help I can get when it comes to repelling these little blood suckers.

With the itching that can last for days, I’ll do just about anything to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. So when I can avoid the yucky chemical laden stuff, I’m opting for natural ways that repel mosquitoes.

If you’re going to the effort to repel mosquitoes naturally or otherwise, you also might want to consider a few other tips that will make you and your yard less appealing as well.

Be sure to remove any standing water of any kind every day. Pet bowls, clogged drains, toys, plant containers – if it can hold water, make sure to check it regularly and remove any standing water. This will prevent them from breeding in your yard.

You can also wear light clothing when you’re outside. Mosquitoes are more attracted to darker clothing so you’re less likely to have them flocking to you.

Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes

Essential Oils

While the plants that repel mosquitoes will help you when you’re near them, I doubt you want to be carrying a pot of marigolds around with you. So in order to keep them away from your skin, you can easily use essential oils.

Common essential oils that repel mosquitoes:

A blend of these essential oils works best so I would recommend picking out a few that you like. Blend them together and dilute them in a carrier oil. Or, if you’d prefer to have a pre-made blend, I LOVE the smell of this Bug Away blend. It’s not too citronella heavy, but you can still smell it along with the other oils.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Another natural way to repel mosquitoes is apple cider vinegar. This is a simple natural solution and shouldn’t be irritating to your skin.

Apple cider vinegar as a natural mosquito repellent is a very versatile solution, too. You can simply rub it directly on your skin, drink it straight, drink it mixed in your water or other beverages, or even add it to your food. The idea is that if you consume it regularly enough, you can build up a scent in your skin that mosquitoes dislike enough to steer clear.

Go Au Naturel

Skip as many of your scented beauty products as you can. This goes for hair products, lotions, perfume, cologne and even deodorant. Unless they’re scented with the essential oils mentioned above, they have potential to attract more mosquitoes than repel them.

Opt for essential oils diluted in carrier oil in place of lotion, use essential oil scented bath and body products, or use deodorants like this Tom’s of Maine Lemongrass scented one.

Create Wind

Mosquitoes and flies (or bugs in general) are much less likely to hang around when a breeze is blowing them around. Unfortunately, not all days are filled with beautiful summer breezes so you can create your own.

An easy natural way to repel mosquitoes is to use a fan. Plug one into an electric outlet if you’re on your patio or in your backyard like this patio fan. Or you can bring smaller battery-operated fan with you when you’re camping or away from power.

Natural Incense

No wind? No fan? No problem! Burn some naturally made incense sticks. Smoke deters mosquitoes, especially smoke that is infused with the scents I mentioned above in the essential oils.

Consider something like these Natural and DEET Free Insect Repellent Incense Sticks that are infused with citronella, lemongrass and rosemary. You’ll keep your patio, backyard or campsite bug free and smelling great.

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women enjoying outdoors

 

woman spray herself with bug spray