There are several different essential oils that keep mosquitoes at bay. Keeping the mosquitoes away reduces the risk of mosquito-borne disease and it prevents those itchy bites that can make you uncomfortable throughout the summer.
Using the Best Essential Oils to Stop Mosquitoes
Not all essential oils are created equal and you must choose the right ones and mix them properly. Never apply an essential oil directly to the skin. Use a carrier oil to dilute it to ensure safety. The best carrier oils for the mosquito-repelling essential oils include:
- Olive oil
· Witch hazel
· Sunflower oil
· Vodka
- Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Take 10 parts of a carrier oil, preferably witch hazel or sunflower oil, and ix it with one part of lemon eucalyptus essential oil. Just avoid using this essential oil on kids who are three years of age and younger.
- Cinnamon Oil
Create a spray that uses four ounces of water and 24 drops of this oil. Do not spray directly on your skin because even diluted, it can be irritating. Instead, spray it on upholstery or your clothing. Just let it dry before putting the clothing on. You can also spray it around plants and patio furniture to keep the mosquitoes away at night.
- Lavender
In addition to using liberal amounts of this essential oil around your outdoor space, consider adding some lavender plants. The plants work almost as well as the oil to prevent mosquitoes from buzzing around.
- Thyme Oil
Create a mixture that you can use when you are outdoors to repel mosquitoes. Mix a teaspoon of either jojoba oil or olive oil with four drops of thyme oil. You can also create a spray using two ounces of water and five drops of thyme oil. Simply multiply to create larger batches of each of these mixtures.
- Soybean Oil
If you want to get some additional protection from soybean oil and make your essential oil mosquito repellent more fragrant, add some lemongrass oil. This is a mixture that works well to protect you against a number of mosquito species.
- Greek Catnip Oil
Research published in Parasitology Research looked at this essential oil and its ability to repel mosquitoes. The conclusion is that with a single application, you can expect to be protected from mosquitoes for approximately two to three hours. Another research study was conducted at Iowa State University. This study compared this essential oil to DEET. The conclusion was that compared to DEET, Greek catnip oil is approximately 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes.
Make the Ultimate Bug Repellent
Try combining some of these powerful essential oils into one convenient mixture.
Ingredients
30 drops of lemon-eucalyptus essential oil blend
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, or vodka
What to Do
Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl, then transfer into a small spray bottle. Apply before heading outdoors during mosquito hours (when the sun starts to set, and especially around water).
You can use a variety of these essential oils when you are outdoors to prevent mosquitoes from buzzing around and biting you. Just make sure that you use each oil correctly to prevent issues like skin irritation. This means that you want to use the proper carrier oils to dilute the essential oils so that you can use them safely and effectively and always do a small patch test to make sure you’re not allergic or sensitive to the oils.
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Health