A single mosquito bite can carry a lot more than an itch. Dengue fever, malaria, Zika and Lyme disease all arrive through insect bites, and some of them can kill. The repellents sold in supermarkets and pharmacies mostly rely on DEET, a chemical that is harmful with too much exposure. That is why plenty of people would rather make their own repellent from nontoxic ingredients, and why it is a skill worth having before you are standing in an unfamiliar place with bugs swarming and nothing in your pack.
This guide covers what the bites can do to you, which oils and plants actually keep insects away, five sprays you can mix at home, and the no-chemical habits that reduce bites before you ever open a bottle.
What insect bites can give you #
The short list of diseases is the reason to take bites seriously rather than shrug them off as a summer nuisance.
Dengue fever comes from a mosquito bite and can be deadly if the patient is not given medical attention quickly. Symptoms include an on-and-off high fever, rashes and nausea.
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria spread by ticks. Symptoms can show up days or even months after the bite. It usually starts with a red rash, and left untreated it can lead to serious complications, including neurological problems.
Malaria is caused by a parasite carried by mosquitoes and passed to humans through a bite. Fever, headache and joint pain are the usual signs, and untreated malaria can cause death.
Zika fever is also transmitted by mosquitoes. There were no reports of death among infected patients, but mothers who get infected can deliver babies with birth defects.
an honest comparison #
Some caution before the recipes. If you are heading into an area with a real scourge of mosquitoes, a chemical repellent with a decent concentration of DEET or picaridin is the stronger choice, and the EPA considers DEET safe for both people and the environment. It is still a chemical, though, and plenty of people dislike putting it on their skin.
For an ordinary day out in the summer, or in winter, natural repellents are usually enough. They also make sense if you have sensitive skin, or if you simply want to avoid slathering chemicals on yourself and your kids. One point applies to every repellent in this article, natural or not: repellents do not kill mosquitoes. They make you a less attractive target. Expect to reapply, because most plant oils wear off faster than the synthetic stuff.
Essential oils that repel mosquitoes #
If you are going to buy one or two oils, choose from this list. Always use real, pure essential oils, and dilute them in a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba before they touch skin. Dilution lowers the risk of irritation.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE). The CDC recognizes lemon eucalyptus as a potent repellent, and the EPA credits it with strong protection against mosquitoes. It must be diluted. A workable blend is 90 percent carrier oil and 10 percent OLE, rubbed on the skin like any other oil.
Catnip oil. The oil is not just for cats. It keeps mosquitoes away for at least seven hours. Rub a few drops into your palm and apply directly to the skin. The aroma does the work without harming your skin.
Cinnamon oil. Mosquitoes hate strong smells, and cinnamon oil is potent. The catch is duration: protection lasts an hour or less. Blend it with a carrier oil for skin, or make a cinnamon oil and water spray for your home. Your room will smell like a French bakery afterward.
Peppermint oil. Many insects and bugs dislike its strong smell. Mix it with water in a spray bottle and spritz around the entry points of your house. Peppermint is a hot oil, so skip it straight on the skin to avoid rashes, and dilute it in a carrier oil if you do apply it.
Lavender. You do not have to buy lavender oil. Plant a few lavender plants and the fragrance from the flowers will repel mosquitoes. You can also crush some flowers on your skin to release the oils. Lavender has soothing antifungal qualities too, so it helps with bug bites and skin reactions.
Geraniol. This essential oil compound occurs in many aromatic plants, including rose oil, palmarosa oil and lavender. Research describes geraniol as a natural insecticide with minimal mammalian toxicity that is also biodegradable, which makes it a sensible addition to a hiker’s kit.
Garlic oil. Garlic contains naturally occurring sulfur that repels mosquitoes, ticks and other bugs. It may be the most effective of the strong-smell oils, but you and everyone near you will smell it. You can also spray it in the garden as natural pest control.
Lemongrass oil. Many chemical repellents already contain lemongrass. Researchers recommend blending it with other repellent oils and a carrier oil to multiply the effect, and the result can come close to the performance of chemical products.
Other oils commonly used in homemade blends include tea tree, which has antiseptic properties and also repels flies and ants, and cedarwood, whose woodsy aroma discourages moths and other pests.
Five repellent recipes to make at home #
Every recipe below uses essential oils where it says “oil.” You need a spray bottle for all of them. Shake before each use, and spray on exposed skin or clothing as often as needed. Test a small patch of skin first, particularly on children, so you know you are not allergic to any ingredient.
Recipe 1: witch hazel spray.
- 6 ounces witch hazel
- 15 drops eucalyptus oil
- 15 drops citronella oil
- 5 drops cinnamon oil
Put everything in the spray bottle and shake well.
Recipe 2: cedar and eucalyptus.
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel or vodka
- 15 drops cedarwood oil
- 15 drops lavender oil
- 15 drops rosemary oil
- 55 drops eucalyptus oil
Pour the vodka or witch hazel into the bottle first, add the oils, and shake to combine.
Recipe 3: vanilla and lemon.
- 4 ounces distilled water
- 3 to 4 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 15 drops lavender oil
Combine the lavender oil, vanilla extract and lemon juice in the bottle and shake. Add the distilled water, then shake again. This one works on skin or clothing.
Recipe 4: geranium and tea tree.
- 10 drops geranium oil
- 30 drops tea tree oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
- Distilled water
Put the geranium oil, tea tree oil and glycerin in the bottle first. Fill the bottle almost to the top with distilled water and shake.
Recipe 5: basil infusion.
- 4 to 5 ounces basil leaves
- Boiling water
- Vodka
Pour enough boiling water over the basil leaves in a pot and let it steep overnight. Strain the leaves out and squeeze the excess water from them. Pour the basil water into the spray bottle without filling it completely, then top up with vodka and shake well. It doubles as a room spray to keep mosquitoes out.
A simple oil-based repellent for skin and clothes #
If you would rather carry a small bottle than a spray, an oil-based blend works too. In a small glass bottle combine 10 drops lavender, 10 drops citronella, 5 drops peppermint and 5 drops rosemary essential oil, then add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and shake well. Rub a small amount on your skin or clothing before heading outdoors.
Reapply every few hours. Store it in a cool, dark place so it lasts longer. And patch-test it first.
Plants that repel bugs on their own #
Recipes need ingredients. Plants do not, and if you forget your bottle at home they are the fallback. Growing a few of them around the house also keeps the yard quieter.
Lavender is loved in perfumes, hated by moths, mosquitoes and flies. Hang sprigs in entryways, or rub a few buds between your fingers to release the oil and wipe it on your clothes or skin.
Citronella is a common ingredient in commercial repellents because its scent is so strong. It repels mosquitoes and many other insects.
Lemongrass is a cooking ingredient that is also rich in citronella oil. Plant it in the garden to keep mosquitoes away, and you will have the herb on hand for the kitchen.
Basil keeps mosquitoes and flies away. Put a bunch in a small vase of water wherever you think they might get in.
Rosemary is another smell mosquitoes dislike, and it is a natural insecticide for vegetable plants. Gardeners often plant it among their vegetables to push pests away.
Peppermint deters ants, spiders and other unwanted pests with its refreshing fragrance.
Preventing bites without any repellent #
Oils and sprays are a hassle for some people, and none of them replace the basic measures below, which work whether or not you are carrying anything.
Cover your body. It does not get simpler than this. Wear full-sleeved tops and long pants, and leave no skin exposed. Tuck your shirt in, because loose clothes still let a few mosquitoes sneak inside. Wear proper shoes and long socks for camping and hiking.
Do not let water stagnate. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Clean swimming pools regularly, change the water in birdbaths, and stop rainwater collecting around the house. Keep pots, trash can lids and other open vessels free of rainwater. When camping, avoid setting up a base or shelter near standing water such as lakes and ponds.
Use mosquito nets. When you set up a tent or tarp shelter, set up a net as well. Without one, bites often will not let you sleep. At home, a net around the bed is a good habit if mosquitoes gather at sunset and through the night.
Other small measures. A high-speed fan, trimmed vegetation around the house and insect-repelling plants or fragrances such as citronella candles all help. Keep ointments and remedies ready to treat bites, including severe ones, in case they happen anyway.
What to keep in your kit #
A small bottle of your preferred repellent, a few cotton pads, a headnet or light long-sleeved shirt and bite ointment weigh almost nothing and fit in a bug-out bag. Homemade recipes are safe for babies, children and adults when used with the usual patch test, and the combinations are nearly limitless. Once you know which oils work, you can mix your own, adjust the scent to your taste, and make a fresh batch before every trip.