Battle Mosquitos With A Natural DIY Insect Repellant

This article has been updated to reflect information from outbreaks of West Nile Virus in Southern USA, where over 1000 cases of West Nile Virus have been reported as well as over 40 deaths across 5 states, and with the Zika virus which has now spread to almost the entire continent of South America and Mexico. While the trials of more Oxitec-engineered mosquitos continues, it is uncertain if their recent releases will fix the problems that may have arose from their first scientific experimentation with GMO Aedes Aegypti mosquitos where mosquito-farms were built in Brazil to combat the Dengue Fever carrying mosquitos. While the long-term consequences of releasing tens of thousands more  GMO mosquitos into our environment are uncertain, you can still take all measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites and stings. This information is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Reader assumes all liability for personal choices with the use of essential oils and holistic wellness.

A mild winter and wet spring in some areas has been a combination mosquitos love.  warm, wet weather often brings mosquitos.   

West Nile virus is on the rise in the United States, Zika on it’s way with many cases reported already in the Miami area.   The Zika virus, a possible result of a British GMO project gone awry, has resulted in a super-mosquito carrying a virus (ZIKA) that causes mild symptoms like muscle pain, fever, rash and general malaise to severe conditions (when pregnant women are infected) as microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition where a child is born with a much smaller head and brain than normal. Brain development may be impaired, but the long term effects of the virus are still unknown. Oxitec, the company who developed the first batch of GMO mosquitos prior to the ZIKA epidemic, has designed more mosquitos (possibly stronger than the first generation) that will supposedly cut down the existing ZIKA-spreading mosquito population. The company has released tens of thousands more mosquitos in the past several months of 2016 in hopes it will eradicate them. With a little planning, you’ll be able to avoid the sting of these little pests with the use of some natural methods.   

Can you withstand traditional mosquito repellents? History has shown us that mosquito and bug repellents are filled with controversial ingredients, some like DDT and DEET found to be harmful only after thousands of people have used them for extensive periods of time.  While DDT is no longer used by the general public, DEET continues to be found in many products.  Some studies have even found mosquitos becoming desensitized to DEET.  Ingredients in DEET are classified as a neurotoxins with the potential to cause brain injury.   In addition, some studies have found DEET to be dangerous when combined with common insecticides used in agriculture.   Pyrethrins are a class of insect repellants designed from chrysanthemum flowers, but why not go right to the flower? Or essential oil from the plant for the purest protection? Science is proving that essential oils and some other natural ingredients are just as effective, some more powerful than harsh chemicals at deterring mosquitos. You must make sure you have a potent, pure, therapeutic essential oil though. If you are going to use your essential oils for mosquito protection they cannot be adultured, diluted or filled in any way. Compromise in the quality of your product will result in a compromise of your protection. PHB does not guarantee that the information in this article will prevent all disease-carrying mosquito bites and reader assumes full responsibility in taking measures to protect oneself from biting insects. There are many factors as to why some people are more attractive to mosquitos than others. Likewise, some essential oils work better with one’s personal chemistry more than another’s so it is important to take full measures when you are potentially going to be exposed to mosquitos.

The first step in battling mosquitos is to lessen your exposure: Remove standing water from your yard where they will lay their eggs.  If you have small ponds or bird baths keep the water treated or empty containers and clean weekly to keep larvae from hatching.  Check out some natural insect control products from an organic garden supply for your yard.  Wear light colored clothing, long sleeves and pants in particular after dusk or when walking in wooded areas.  Check your window and door screens for holes or spots mosquitos could invade your home.  Consider replacing outdoor lights with a yellow bug light that does not attract mosquitos like traditional lighting. Add a drop of lavender essential oil to ponds or kiddie pools (where there aren’t fish or aquatic life) to deter bugs from laying their eggs in your outdoor sanctuary.

Essential Oils are some of the most powerful mosquito deterrants available.  Even the CDC recommends Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil as another alternative to DEET.  Fragranced oils will not be any help against pests like the mosquito so make sure you are using a Therapeutic Grade Oil that will offer the best defense.  Essential oils are pure plant extracts that protect the plants and trees from natural pests.  These same plant extracts can offer protection to people as well.  For the best results use a combination of oils to create a powerful blend.  Here is a list of the most powerful oils mosquitos hate, followed by recipes I’ve used as natural mosquito repellent.  Many of these oils are safe for use on everyone, including children and pets. Essential oil blends will need to be applied more frequently than chemically-engineered bug sprays.

Therapeutic essential oils for kids

  • Lavender – safe for everyone, young and old including infants. Simply apply therapeutic grade lavender (I only recommend Therapeutic, food grade lavender tested for potency) directly to exposed skin (Neat).
  • Peppermint – safe for children over 6 diluted with a carrier oil.  Peppermint is stimulating so avoid using right before going to bed.  Also has a cooling effect on the skin, good for hot days.
  • Lemongrass – powerful oil that should be diluted before applying to the skin.  Effective when applied to clothing from a spray bottle. Do not apply to the face.
  • Citronella – make sure you use pure therapeutic grade citronella oil, not just a fragranced oil which will not repel mosquitos.  Dilute before applying to skin. 
  • Cedarwood– adds a woodsy fragrance to a mosquito repellent, helps repel other insects in addition to mosquitos such as sand flies.
  • Geranium – has a more floral aroma but blends well with the tree oils. Geranium is the underdog in aromatherapy, it’s a great all around oil that is often overlooked. It’s great for the skin, hormones, and in this case a great addition to a camping spray.
  • Palmarosa is similar to lemongrass but it is more gentle on the skin and a good choice for kiddos, the elderly, pregnant women, or anyone with delicate skin.
  • Palo Santo – an earthy, musky essential oil that comes from a wood. In South America, the people burn the wood and the smoke deters insects. The essential oil will bring a subtle smokiness to your blend.
  • Thyme – anti-parasitic oil, has a very strong aroma that may be softened when blended with other oils.
  • Purification Essential Oil blend – citronella, lemongrass, lavandin, rosemary, melaleuca & myrtle essential oils.  This is a YL powerful blend that mosquitos and other flying insects dislike.  Mix 8-10 drops of  purification blend with a teaspoon of vegetable oil and apply to exposed skin.  This blend is also excellent for bringing relief to any insect bites and stings.  Apply undiluted 1-2 drops directly to the location as soon as possible after a bite or sting to lessen itching & swelling. (test first on a small area for sensitive skin).
  • Immune Boosting  Essential Oil blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus radiata & rosemary essential oils.  Helpful when mixed in a spray bottle and misted on the skin.  Also a good option for treating an insect bite when applied topically.  Dilute Immune Boosting Blend 1:1 with a carrier oil or witch hazel and apply on location as needed.
  • MELaleuca/ROSEmary Essential Oil blend of melaleuca alternifolia and rosemary essential oils.  Apply neat or diluted 1:1 onto location to relieve pain and itching from stings and mosquito bites.  Mix in a spray bottle and apply to clothing or exposed areas of skin.
  • Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is recommended as a powerful mosquito repellant, effective as much as DEET products, without the side effects and neurotoxins of chemicals.

Would you like to get essential oils at a wholesale price? Here’s my favorite oil supplier, you can save 24% off retail prices AND get direct oil support from me at PHB.

 

If you are a professional, a doctor, nurse, spa owner or other licensed professional, I can get you set up for a wholesale oils account with one of the best oil suppliers in the world at 40% off retail prices for any use in your practice. This account is not part of a network marketing plan and is just for professionals who would like to use the best quality oils in a private practice or resell oils in a retail store.

Send me a note at Susan@pureHOMEandBODY.com and put PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNT in the subject line. I can send you a wholesale application as well as information on the sourcing, quality control and specifications to answer any questions you have about authenticity and purity in the line of oils I work with. 

 

DIY Mosquito Repellant Here are a couple of mosquito blends we’ve used in our family.  You can mix up your own combination of essential oils to have on hand.  Add the essential oils to a glass spray bottle, the same method as making your own air freshener.   You can also add the essential oil blend to a vegetable oil and apply to the skin before exposure to mosquitos.   Making your own mosquito repellent makes sense if you want to live a life with less toxins.  These combinations are quick and easy to mix and you’ll know what ingredients you’re putting on your body.

DIY Insect Repellant Blend #1

DIY Insect Repellant Blend #1

Ingredients

  • 15 Drops YL Purification essential oil blend
  • 8 Drops Peppermint essential oil
  • 8 Drops Lavender essential oil
  • 8 Drops Cedarwood essential oil
  • 1/4 tsp Neem oil
  • Purified water, aloe vera, witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to fill bottle
  • 8 ounce Glass spray bottle

Instructions

  1. Mix together essential oils with Neem oil in the glass bottle. Shake gently to mix all the oils. Add the filling liquid of your choice. Shake gently before using.
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Mosquito Blend #1, mix together in a 4 ounce spray bottle and shake before each use, or add 1 drop castille soap or bath gel base to emulsify the oil

  • 15 drops Yl Purification essential oil blend
  • 8 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 8 drops lavender essential oil
  • 8 drops cedarwood essential oil
  • 1/4 tsp Neem oil 
  • enough purified water, aloe vera, witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to fill the bottle

Mosquito blend #2, mix in a 4 ounce spray bottle, shaking before each use, or adding 1 drop of catille soap or bath gel base to emulsify oil:

  • 8 drops lavender essential oil
  • 8 drops palo santo essential oil
  • 8 drops palma rosa essential oil
  • 8 drops geranium essential oil
  • 8 drops melaleuca essential oil
  • 8 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
  • enough water, witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to fill the bottle

Alternatively, apply lavender or purification oil directly to exposed skin, mixing with a vegetable oil if desired to extend the time between applications.  The oils in these blends may also be used for pets

Got the sting? Lavender, YL Thieves Blend (cinnamon/clove/melaleuca), Purification blend and clove oil all may work to neutralize the bug venom. If you get bit by a mosquito, stung by a bee or a wasp, apply an essential oil on contact as soon as possible. Often the itch will go away in 10-15 minutes. If you wait too long, the venom will hit your system and it’s often harder to stop the itch. Use lavender for little kids, the clove, Cinnamon/Clove and Purifying blend for older kids and adults. The oils will also keep bites clean and speed healing. This information is not intended as a substitution for medical care to those allergic or sensitive to insect stings.

 

This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and Pure Home and Body LLC does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any diseases.

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9 Responses to Battle Mosquitos With A Natural DIY Insect Repellant

  1. Jennifer May 28, 2014 at 1:58 pm #

    I hope you are still checking this blog. I have a question about the castille soap you recommend using in the blends. I just recently bought some peppermint Dr. Bonners will this work to add to the mosquito blends? Thanks

  2. Susan P June 20, 2014 at 1:34 pm #

    Yes Jennifer, the Dr. Bronners works excellent for the mosquito blends. Happy summer!

  3. Louis McDaniel August 10, 2014 at 9:47 pm #

    You can use Dr. Bronner’s as long as it’s the melt&pour type. The liquid form,although good, requires a binder of some type to hold the essential oils & keep them from congealing at the top.

  4. Susan P September 10, 2014 at 2:41 pm #

    Thanks for stopping by, Louis. Melt and pour Dr. Bronners could be another option. I’ve had great success using the liquid form. I’ve actually found it works well as an emulsifier between the essential oils and water. I have not used the melt and pour option except in making my own lotions. Cheers!

  5. Terry June 7, 2015 at 8:25 am #

    “Alternatively, apply lavender oil…..” Are you saying in this sentence from above that you can use simply one or the other of those two oils (lavender or purification oil) and get the same results you would get from combining all those other oils in your Mosquito Blends #1 and 2? Why would one bother/pay for all those oils if one oil would work as well? Or am I reading this wrong? Thanks.

  6. Susan P June 13, 2015 at 8:30 am #

    Thanks for the question Terry. Aromatherapy is considered an art because each person has unique chemistry and sense of smell, often the approach is not a one size fits all. I have used lavender essential oil successfully at times for keeping insects out of my personal space, other times not so much. However, it is a gentle, safe option especially for kids.

    Nature adapts and not all bugs respond to the same oils. Having a couple of blends or oils on hand gives you some versatility in oil usage in case one option may not be working as effectively depending on your locale, the bugs that are present (mosquitos versus black flies, for example) and one’s personal chemistry (one person may have excellent results with lavender, another with blend #2). Many people just like trying different blends and certain oils appeal to differing senses more than others. It’s important to use a blend that is pleasing to you and with many oils acting as insect deterrents we have many possibilities, these are just a few. Hope that helps!

  7. Zhiwei September 23, 2016 at 8:40 pm #

    Sorry. Typed in the wrong email add. Repost.
    “Hi. Can blend #2 be used on young kids? Any age limit? Thanks!”

  8. Susan P September 26, 2016 at 7:04 am #

    It’s always best to avoid using strong oils like peppermint and lemongrass on little children (under age 4). For children older than that, you should dilute properly. Palma rosa would be a good substitution for the lemongrass and make sure to use melaleuca alternifolia as other species of melaleuca may not be safe for kiddos. Of course, the gentlest but effective way to protect kids is to spritz them with some diluted lavender EO and keep them covered up and away from mosquito infested areas.

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