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I used this easy DIY mosquito repellent recipe in Indonesia and was very pleased with the results as it kept the mosquitoes at bay! Since then, I always carry it in my purse when I travel. I only use 3 ingredients, sunflower oil or lemongrass hydrosol and lemon eucalyptus essential oil and citronella essential oil.
You can use the spray or the oil application. I personally like the oil recipe as it stays on the skin longer and offers greater protection.
Mosquito bites are uncomfortable and itchy, so I know everyone wants to avoid them when they can! Mosquitoes also carry a number of diseases. The most commonly known is malaria, but there are many more – including ZIKA, which has been in the news a lot in recent years. The best prevention is long sleeves and to reduce skin exposure to mosquitoes, but unfortunately, mosquitoes are also the most prevalent in warm climates where you may not always want to cover up!
The alternative is natural DIY mosquito repellants and I will provide you with a few options of recipes below.
Why are commercial mosquito repellents dangerous?
DEET is the most commonly used chemical in store-bought mosquito repellents. It has been linked with both eye irritation and neurological damage. In high amounts it can impair the nervous system, cause seizures and other issues like slurred speech.
IR3535 is another commonly used chemical that causes eye irritation.
Other chemicals like P-mentane and Metofluthrin have been associated with liver and kidney damage. All of these chemicals, including DEET, also have detrimental effects on the environment.
DIY Mosquito Repellent Ingredients
Organic lemongrass flower water is a hydrosol made from lemongrass flowers. It has a lovely, refreshing scent. Its antibacterial and deodorizing, and it will even stimulate your circulatory system! It has naturally high amounts of the organic chemical compounds geraniol and citral – both of which naturally repel mosquitoes and other insects.
Organic sunflower oil is a great, lightweight carrier oil with a high fatty acid content to nourish the skin. It is oil pressed from sunflower seeds, with a high vitamin E and antioxidant content, it combats inflammation and irritation for a soothing effect.
Citronella essential oil is made from a grass that mainly grows in the South Pacific. It has a number of healing properties, and also naturally-occurring compounds that repel insects, which is why you see it so often in insect-repellant candles! Citronella also contains gerianol and citral, but additionally many other compounds including limonene and citronellol, which are powerful insect repellants. It has a refreshing, tangy scent and natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. For best results, make sure that you always purchase a 100% citronella essential oil.
Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil (eucalyptus citriodora) comes from a tall tree called lemon-scented gum, blue spotted gum, lemon eucalyptus and eucalyptus citriodora. It has a refreshing, fresh-squeezed lemon-citronella fragrance. It also contains naturally-occurring insect repellant compounds like citronellol.
Important note
Do not confuse lemon eucalyptus oil with lemon essential oil or either eucalyptus essential oil as they are completely different plants. If you combine both lemon and eucalyptus essential oil, it will not have the same properties as lemon eucalyptus essential oil (eucalyptus citriodora) and not help as much to repel mosquitoes.
DIY Mosquito Repellent Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of Organic Lemongrass flower water
- OR you can substitute with a light carrier oil like
- 1/4 cup of organic sunflower oil.
- 40 drops organic citronella essential oil
- 40 drops organic lemon eucalyptus essential oil
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients together in a dark colored glass spray bottle or glass bottle container if using a carrier oil.
- If you are travelling, make sure you use a max 100ml bottle so you can keep it in your carry on!
- Rub or spray the natural insect repellent onto skin or clothing, using care to avoid the sensitive areas such as the face.
- You'll need to re-apply the natural product after about two hours or after swimming or exercise.
Please let me know how you like this DIY mosquito repellent recipe in the comments below!
Sharing some images from my trip to bali and where my DIY mosquito repellent was a godsent!
I hope you have enjoyed my recipe, please share the love and rate ***** in the comments below!
I’m Eve, a DIY organic skincare recipe creator since 2010 that loves to make a big mess in the kitchen!
I’ve embarked on a journey to empower women to ditch all the chemical-filled commercial beauty products and to share how to make your own organic beauty recipes at home towards a healthier lifestyle.
Homemade face & body creams, body butter, lips balms, face masks, shampoos, and all-natural perfume will have no more secret for you!
I am self-taught, read many books, and spend many hours in the kitchen creating brand new homemade beauty recipes. All my recipes are unique and are tested on humans!
In 2016, I studied Aromatherapy and became certified by the School of Natural Health Sciences.
Hello! I was wondering if you have any recipes for repelling fleas? I’m wanting to try something a little more natural for my pet care!
Probably a dumb question but asking anyway – I don’t have lemon eucalyptus EO, but I have them separately. Can I do 20 drops of each with the same results?
Hi Jess; you could try but lemon eucalyptus is a kind of eucalyptus and it is not lemon + eucalyptus. Keep in mind that Lemon EO is photosensitive so don’t apply on the skin before going under the sun. Let me know if it works!
I have a list of 42 scential oils I want to buy and another big list for herbs! planing to start a bussines selling oils and herbs soon. In need of price list and all the help and support!!!
Great and very easy anti-bug recipe! I will definitely try this since I hate putting nasty chemicals on my skin.