Natural DIY Mosquito Repellent

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

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!