What Is the Best Homemade Mosquito Killer? 9 DYI Repellents

Medically Reviewed on 6/2/2022
What Is the Best Homemade Mosquito Killer
Here are 9 homemade mosquito repellents that are natural and effective at keeping mosquitoes at bay

Mosquitoes are annoying pests, and dealing with bites is even worse. While there are dozens of mosquito repellents available on the market, many contain chemicals that may not be the best for your health.

Here are 9 homemade mosquito repellents that are natural and effective at keeping mosquitoes at bay.

9 best homemade mosquito repellents

  1. Onion, garlic, and cayenne pepper: Chop 1 small onion and 1 garlic head and combine with 4 cups water, 4 tablespoons cayenne pepper, and 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap. If stored in a jar with a tight-fitting cover and kept in a dark, cool area, this mixture will last about a week. Spritz your deck and other areas around your home instead of on your skin.
  2. Vinegar, witch hazel, and essential oil: Combine ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ witch hazel, and 20 drops of any essential oil such as rosemary, citronella, tea tree, cedar, eucalyptus, or lemongrass. Fill a spray container halfway with the mixture and shake well before using. Bugs will stay away if you spray directly on exposed skin.
  3. Lemon eucalyptus: Make a natural mosquito repellent with oil of lemon eucalyptus, as this ingredient highly effective and offers long-term protection. 
  4. Peppermint leaves: If you are looking for a mosquito repellent that is both natural and effective, consider peppermint. In a spray bottle, combine a few drops of peppermint essential oil with 1 cup of water, shake well, and spray onto the skin.
  5. Sage and rosemary: If mosquitoes hover around your grill, place a few sprigs of rosemary or sage on top of the coals. Mosquitoes will be repelled by the aroma, leaving your meat alone.
  6. Burn coffee trays and egg cartons: Mosquitoes may be annoying, but you don’t need to spend money on citronella candles, mosquito coils, or the latest gadgets—all you need are some cardboard egg cartons and coffee trays. Set them on fire, extinguish, then leave them to smolder in a fire-safe area.They give out a pungent burning odor that repels mosquitoes.
  7. Water with garlic: Mix garlic with water and spray it near all of your outdoor light bulbs. As the bulbs heat up, they release a light garlicky aroma that repels mosquitoes and other insects.
  8. Jar with diluted essential oil: To keep mosquitoes away from your deck or patio, take an old tin or mason jar with a lid, saturate a cloth or rag with diluted essential oil such as eucalyptus, pennyroyal, peppermint, lavender, or lemongrass, and seal it in the tin or jar. To use, simply open the jar and set it on an outdoor table. The scent will keep insects away. Refresh the cloth with extra diluted essential oil every once in a while.
  9. Attract birds to your yard: By attracting the right birds to your yard, you can reduce the amount of mosquitoes around your house. Chickadees, orioles, finches, cardinals, and other birds consume both seeds and insects. Fill feeders with sunflower and safflower seeds, or use suet feeders, to give these birds what they're looking for. The birds will come to your house to eat and, in the process, help decimate the mosquito population.

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Medically Reviewed on 6/2/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Image

https://healthytalbot.org/topics/20-simple-ways-to-get-rid-of-mosquitoes/

https://www.thespruce.com/best-mosquito-traps-4172186