Alex Carson
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are incredibly annoying. They buzz in your ears, and they feast on you when you are just trying to have a good time. When they are done feasting, you are left behind with itchy bites that can drive you cray for days. If you are going to be spending time outdoors, it is essential that you protect yourself. Here are 20 unexpected mosquito repellents that you probably already have in your home.
Lavender
Fresh lavender and the essential oil can keep mosquitoes away because they don’t like the smell. You can also use a lavender-scented lotion to keep these pesky bugs at bay. For best results, you can put the lavender of your arms, ankles, and any other uncovered area of your body.
Coconut and Peppermint Oil
Coconut oil, combined with peppermint oil, will keep the mosquitoes away. To make the remedy, mix 30 ml of coconut oil and 12 drops of peppermint oil. This best thing about this remedy is that it smells a lot better than store-bought bug spray.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Both baking soda and vinegar have plenty of uses around the house. One of these uses is to repel mosquitoes. To create this all-natural repellent, cut a plastic soda bottle in two, and pour a quarter cup of baking soda in the base. Next, flip the top part so that it looks like a funnel, and put it in the bottom. Pour the vinegar into the base so that it mixes with the baking soda. You can keep the repellant on any outdoor surface near where the mosquitoes attack the most.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is something that most people have in their baking cupboard. What you may not know is that vanilla extract has pet-repelling properties. If you are going to use vanilla extract to keep mosquitoes away, make sure that you use the right kind. It must be pure and not contain any sugar or other additives. If it does, it will attract the mosquitoes rather than repelling them. To keep the bugs away, but them at your pulse points. If the smell is too much, you can dilute the extract with a few drops of lemon juice.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
This is another essential oil that can repel mosquitoes. It can actually create an all-natural barrier against them. To create an extra-strong concoction, mix your lemon eucalyptus oil with ten parts of witch hazel.
Vodka and Basil
After making your next batch of vodka pasta sauce, you can use the ingredients to make a mosquito repellent. Start with ½ cup distilled water and a cup of chopped basil. Put it in a pot, and let it boil. Turn off the heat, and leave the pot uncovered for six hours. Finally, strain the leaves and pour the liquid into a spray bottle.
Lemon and Cloves
Mosquitoes hate the smell that cloves and lemons emit when combined. Start by splitting a lemon in half, and press six cloves into each of the halves. You can put the lemons anywhere that mosquitoes bite. As the lemon dries out, you will need to replace it.
Castile Soap
Castile soap is popular because it doesn’t contain synthetic detergents or animal fat. While it is a bar of excellent hand soap, it is also great for keeping the mosquitoes away. To make the repellent, fill a spray bottle with four cups of distilled water, and add ten teaspoons of liquid Castile soap. You can spay the mixture on yourself or on outdoor surfaces to keep the bugs away.
Lemongrass and Rosemary
Mosquitoes cannot stand the smell combination of lemongrass and rosemary. These essential oils are far too strong to put directly on your skin, but you can mix it with jojoba, which will dilute the essential oils. You should combine ten drops of rosemary and lemongrass per 60 ml of jojoba, and put it on before heading outdoors.
Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon is an overpowering scent, which is something that mosquitoes hate. Not only will the smell keep them away, but the oil can kill their eggs. If you are going to apply the repellent to your skin, never put the essential oil directly on your skin. You need to dilute the oil in four ounces of water.
Mouthwash and Epsom Salt
If you combine Epsom salt and mint-flavored mouthwash, it will keep the mosquitoes away. You don’t drink this repellent; however. Instead, put it in a spray bottle, and after the salt has dissolved, you can mist it on your skin and clothes.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has a strong scent that mosquitoes don’t like. If you mix ten drops of tea tree oil and 30 ml of coconut oil, it will be safe to put on your skin before going into mosquito territory.
Witch Hazel, Spearmint, and Cloves
People have been using witch hazel to soothe insect bites, bruises, and even sprains for decades. If you combine witch hazel with spearmint and cloves, you will have the perfect mosquito repellent. Start by boiling one cup of water on the stove, and add three tablespoons of dry spearmint. Next, add two cloves. When the water starts to boil, pour it into a bowl to allow it to cool. After you strain out the herbs, you can add the witch hazel and pour it in a spray bottle. The mixture needs to be stored in the fridge.
Coffee Grounds
The leftover coffee grounds in your pot can keep away mosquitoes. First, you need to allow the coffee grounds to age for 25 days. Next, speak it around areas of standing water, such as the birdbath or a pool. This will keep the mosquitoes away, and will also kill the eggs.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar mixed with about equal parts water will let off a strong enough scent to keep the mosquitoes away. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and you can use a few spritzes when going outside.
Thyme Oil
Thyme oil will not only keep the mosquitoes away, but it is also a pretty good mouse repellent. When making the mixture, combine two ounces of water for every five drops of essential oil. You can also use sprigs of thyme in your campfire to keep the bugs away.
Dryer Sheets
Mosquitoes hate the fantastic scent of dryer sheets. To keep the mosquitoes away, simply put a few in your pocket. The mosquitoes will go after everyone around but you.
Garlic
Garlic won’t just keep vampires away; it will also keep the mosquitoes away. Combine garlic with lemon, and it will make the repellent even stronger. After chopping the garlic, let it sit in the lemon juice overnight. In the morning, it will be ready to be sprayed outdoors to keep the bugs away.
Catnip
Cats love catnip and mosquitoes hate it, which is perfect. Herb catnip contains ten times the mosquito-fighting power as chemical repellents.
21 Beer
If you are planning to drink around the campfire, you should choose beer. If you leave your almost empty beer bottles around, the mosquitoes will fly in to see what’s inside, and they will get trapped.
