How Do You Keep Mosquitoes Away Naturally?

A quick internet search will flood you with natural mosquito repellent ideas, but which ones really work? Here are some of the most effective options.

Water Removal: Remove any standing water from your property.
Outdoor Fans: Set up fans in your outdoor spaces.
Protective Clothing: Opt for long-sleeved shirts and pants in light-colored fabrics.
Essential Oils: Use essential oils like lemon eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint.

Should these solutions fail, it’s time to contact a professional mosquito exterminator for help.

Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away at Home

To naturally keep mosquitoes at bay, focus on reducing outdoor attractants, starting with eliminating standing water. Common places where water collects include:

Buckets
Bottle Caps
Tarps
Birdbaths
Pools
Children’s Playsets

Regularly empty or cover any standing water to prevent mosquitoes. Additionally, mosquitoes struggle to fly in windy conditions, so using a fan in your yard is an effective natural repellent.

Homemade Mosquito Repellents

Essential oils can provide personal benefits, but are they truly effective in repelling mosquitoes? Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil and do a skin patch test to prevent any adverse reactions. Here’s what you should know about these natural remedies:

Peppermint Oil: When combined with a carrier oil like olive or canola, peppermint oil offers a pleasant scent that may help deter mosquitoes.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil: Be aware that this oil might not be safe for children under the age of three.
Catnip Oil: Extracted through steam distillation from catnip, catnip oil can offer mosquito protection for up to seven hours.
Lavender Oil: Known for its strong fragrance, lavender oil can help repel adult mosquitoes and prevent bites.

What Is Citronella?

Citronella, an oil sourced from grass and leaves, has a yellow-brown tint and a pleasant combination of floral, citrus, and grassy scents. It’s commonly used in a range of products, from insect repellents and perfumes to food additives and wound-healing remedies. Additionally, citronella candles have become widely popular as a natural solution for repelling mosquitoes and other insects.

Can Citronella Plants Repel Mosquitoes?

Citronella plants, often marketed as lemon-scented geraniums, are not naturally mosquito-repellent. The oil inside the leaves, which can be released by crushing or rubbing them, contains mosquito-repelling properties. For the best results, rely on more effective and approved mosquito prevention methods.

Do Citronella Candles Keep Mosquitoes Away?

By masking the scents that attract bugs, citronella effectively repels insects, making it difficult for mosquitoes to track you down. Citronella is widely promoted as an efficient mosquito deterrent and is available in products like sprays, lotions, and candles.

Lighting a citronella candle outdoors in the summer can help repel mosquitoes and other insects, but its effectiveness is temporary. Research has suggested that citronella candles might only work for a few hours.

Do Vitamin B and Coconut Oil Repel Mosquitoes?

Despite popular belief that vitamin B can naturally repel mosquitoes, studies have shown no evidence of its effectiveness. Coconut oil, on its own, doesn’t work as a repellent, but mixing it with essential oils might offer some protection. Before using any homemade solutions, it’s best to consult your doctor.

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