Mosquitoes hate the smell of lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, basil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary. They also hate smells such as smoke, for further insight, see our exploration on, does smoke keep mosquitoes away?
One of the most effective DIY repellents calls for just coconut oil and peppermint, says Harlow-Ellis. "While this combination of scents is delightful to humans, it will chase away mosquitoes," she says. To make it, mix 1/3 cup coconut oil and 15 drops of peppermint essential oil in a jar.
One of the simplest tried-and-true home remedies for mosquitoes control is to infuse lemon with cloves. You may smash a few garlic cloves and save the juice in a container. Spray the liquid around windows to help eliminate mosquitoes in the space right away.
Dish soap is so effective that only one milliliter is needed to treat a gallon of water. If you have standing water outside, a squirt of liquid soap will keep it mosquito-free until it evaporates. It is a good idea to always use environmental-friendly dish soaps like Dawn.
Essential Oils – You can also use essential oils of the plants that repel mosquitoes, as well as tea tree oil, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, or clove oil to make a repelling spray. Add about 30 drops of your oil to a cup of water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
It's all about certain chemicals found in the dryer sheets, specifically linalool, geraniol and beta-citronellol, all of which have mosquito-repelling properties. Unfortunately, the concentration of these ingredients is low, enough to make your clothes smell better, but not enough to make mosquitoes evacuate the area.
The two main culprits I'm referring to are mosquitoes and sand fleas. Fortunately, I have learned two things that keep these critters away and you only need 4 simple items: 2 Spray Bottles, a bottle of Listerine Mint Mouthwash, and bottle of Pine-sol (or eucalyptus oil for a more natural spray).
Add 10-12 drops of lavender oil, 3-4 tbsps of vanilla extract, and 3-4 tbsps of lemon juice to your spray bottle with distilled water. Shake the mixture and use it as a great herbal mosquito repellent.
You can also apply insect repellent, use specialty candles, and pretreat the garden with a backyard repellent. If nighttime mosquitoes are bothering you indoors, install fly screens to keep them at bay, and sleep under a mosquito net for extra protection.
Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide humans and other animals emit. They also use their receptors and vision to pick up on other cues like body heat, perspiration and skin odor to find a potential host.
Bluegills, Goldfish, catfish, guppies, and mosquitofish eat mosquito larvae. However, the mosquitofish, also known as Gambusia affinis, remains the most effective species for Mosquito control.
Deter Insects
We may be fans of Vicks, but insects decidedly are not. Dab a bit on your arms, legs, neck, or other areas of exposed skin to keep bugs (including mosquitoes) at bay, however, it is not as effective at preventing bites as a commercial insect repellant.
But disinfectant cannot be used as mosquito repellent. Almost 99% of disinfectant available in market has no effect on terminating or repelling mosquito problem.
The repellants that worked were DEET and, in a bit of good news for those of us who prefer a more natural approach, oil of lemon eucalyptus sprays, which comes from the gum eucalyptus tree, reduced mosquito attraction by 60 percent.
Figure out how much liquid your spray bottle will hold. Then, create a 50/50 mixture by combining 1 part original scent Pine-Sol with 1 water. THAT'S IT!
“Covering up as much as possible during the summer is really important, and applying an EPA-registered insect repellent, with ingredients such as DEET and picaridin,” McMeniman said. For people who prefer botanical products, he recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Yes, certain plants have natural mosquito-repelling properties and can be kept in your bedroom. Examples include citronella, catnip, lavender, marigolds, and basil.
Unscented deodorant will be more effective at keeping them away, and some recent studies have shown that the deodorant compound isopropyl tetradecanoate reduces the number of mosquito attacks.
Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water is a great mosquito deterrent that is effective for all seasons. By keeping a spray bottle of this solution on your patio, you can keep mosquitoes away without having to install any extra equipment.
Since coffee grounds have such a pungent and intense smell, mosquitoes do not like to come near it. Mosquitoes are repulsed by all types of coffee, whether it is fresh, used, or burnt. The most effective way to use coffee grounds for mosquito control is by burning them, as it creates a stronger aroma.
Windex – Windex is one of the most common and most effective DIY household products for pest control. Windex is toxic to most pests, especially spiders. Spraying window cleaner directly onto small insects like ants or mosquitoes will kill them within a few moments.
Mouthwash, Vinegar, and Stale Beer
One calls for mixing mint mouthwash, Epsom salt, and stale beer and spraying it around your yard. Another uses apple cider vinegar, water, and an oil made up of citronella, peppermint, lemongrass, cedar wood, and geranium.