5 Homemade Mosquito Repellents

mikesbackyardnursery.com

By Duston On July 31, 2013
Posted in: Rural Living

Have you ever went to the store, shopped for just the right mosquito repelling product, asked questions from the staff, just to get home and find out you could not stand the product because of the smell or chemicals that it contained?

Using mosquito repellents bought at local stores can be costly, smell terrible, and leave a person with mosquito bites still.

It is not uncommon to find out that some people are allergic to the chemicals included in mosquito repellents. Some homemade mosquito repellents can keep costs low and mosquitoes at bay.

Following the simple tips below can help a person or family stay safe from Lyme disease and stop pesky mosquitoes from biting in the first place.

1. Using plants to fight mosquitoes naturally

Some plants are natural mosquito repellents. Plants like vanilla and lavender are natural repellents to mosquitoes. People commonly take vanilla leaves or lavender flowers and rub them around their wrists, knees, and the nape of the neck.

Breaking open the leaves is one way to get more of the oil from the natural leaf on one’s body allowing for more repelling aromas from the plants to get on a persons’ skin.

Using pure vanilla extract is another way to stop mosquitoes from biting. Applying a few dabs of pure vanilla extract to one’s pulse points on the body is a great way to keep pests from biting all evening.

One note on this method, vanilla extract can be costly.

Planting pots of catnip, citronella, marigolds, vanilla, and lavender around ones yard, deck, or patio is a great way to naturally deter pests without having to place the oils on ones own body.

For cookouts and gatherings, the potted plants can be moved around the yard or close to the patio for best coverage for all guests. A word of advice with catnip, it does draw stray cats to the yard.

2. Make homemade essential oil repellents

Take cinnamon, eucalyptus, or citronella essential oil and mix 10-25 drops of it with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil or witch hazel. This mixture can be placed in a cool, dark place in a tightly closed container for safe storage.

Adding a few drops onto the skin or clothing will repel mosquitoes for hours. Be sure to reapply once an hour during and after swimming and exercise.

The essential oils can also be mixed with 1/4 cup water or apple cider vinegar instead of the cooking oil, if one prefers.

Read More Here