What attracts mosquitoes?

Many things can attract mosquitoes—everything from standing water and your unique body odor to the carbon dioxide that you emit when you breathe. Most of these factors are not things you can change too much—aside from removing standing water and moving outdoor workouts inside during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. One thing that you can control is bright-colored, contrasting clothing, which helps mosquitoes see you—so if you're going camping near a lake, for instance, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in non-contrasting colors.

What time of day do mosquitoes bite the most?

Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning hours before dawn as well as when it begins to cool down in the evening during dusk. Mosquitoes tend to avoid the middle of the day when it's too warm out as the heat and direct sunlight can dehydrate them.

What other household items do mosquitoes hate?

Vinegar ! Mosquitoes hate the smell of vinegar, so using white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar in your mosquito prevention efforts should do the trick.

How to Make DIY Mosquito Repellent That Will Actually Prevent Bites

Keep summer's worst pests at bay with these simple, scented sprays.

By

Blythe Copeland

and

Alexandra Kelly

Updated on April 24, 2024

Lavender and essential oils — Photo:
kazmulka / Getty Images

Nothing puts a damper on an outdoor party, afternoon at the lake, or summer camping trip like a group of uninvited and aggressive mosquitoes. While store-bought repellents can be effective, they can also be full of harsh chemicals. Natural mosquito repellent solutions, however, are a safer way to keep bugs away—and are easy to DIY at home. We spoke with pest control experts to learn which natural ingredients keep these bugs away from you and your family.

Shannon Harlow-Ellis, technical specialist with Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company, a mosquito and pest control company
Rita Stadler, omni customer marketing specialist for Earth Kind, a company that manufactures botanical pest prevention products

How to Make DIY Mosquito Repellent

Homemade mosquito repellents rely on a combination of essential oils mixed with a base of vinegar, witch hazel, coconut oil, or isopropyl alcohol, says technical specialist Shannon Harlow-Ellis of Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company. Creating your own repellent is as easy as mixing all the ingredients in a spray bottle and spritzing yourself before heading outside—and you can tweak the oils used to create your own custom scent.

Harlow-Ellis recommends using one—or several—of the top 10 mosquito-repelling essential oils for maximum effect; these include:

Eucalyptus
Lavender
Cinnamon
Thyme
Tea tree
Rosemary
Chamomile
Peppermint
Cedarwood
Citronella

The reason these work? The key to avoiding mosquitoes isn't pushing them away—it's preventing them from being drawn to you in the first place. "These essential oils are found to be a mask for the odors that female mosquitoes are attuned to when searching for a blood meal," says Harlow-Ellis. "Sweat, body odor, CO2, and sometimes even your blood type can emit smells that attract these bloodsuckers." Below, Harlow-Ellis shares three of her top DIY mosquito repellent recipes.

How to Make Coconut Peppermint Mosquito Repellent

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.

Materials You'll Need

Coconut oil
Peppermint essential oil

Instructions

To make it, mix 1/3 cup coconut oil and 15 drops of peppermint essential oil in a jar. "At room temperature, the substance will be a liquid, but if you store it in the refrigerator, it will solidify," says Harlow-Ellis. "You can apply it with your fingers on a hot day for a refreshing way to keep mosquitoes at bay. Best of all, kids love the way it smells!"

How to Make Rosemary Mosquito Repellent

You only need three ingredients for this DIY mosquito repellent

Materials You'll Need

Rosemary oil
Apple cider vinegar
Water

Instructions

Combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup water, and 40 drops of rosemary oil in a spray bottle and shake well. "If you don't like the smell of rosemary, you can also try lavender," says says Harlow-Ellis.

How to Make Eucalyptus Mosquito Repellent

You might love the smell of eucalyptus, but mosquitos decidedly do not—try this DIY recipe to keep them from biting you.

Materials You'll Need

Witch hazel
Eucalyptus oil
Water

Instructions

For a "foolproof recipe" that banishes mosquitoes, combine 1/3 cup witch hazel and 1/3 cup water with 40 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. "Mosquitoes detest the strong aroma of eucalyptus, so this easy homemade mosquito repellent is sure to be a winner," says Harlow-Ellis. "On its own, witch hazel doesn't really have a scent, so you can also try adding lemongrass, citronella, or tea tree oil if you don't care for eucalyptus."

How Long Does DIY Mosquito Repellent Last?

Different blends of oils and bases will have varying shelf lives—and different time limits for how long they remain effective once sprayed on your skin. "DIY repellents aren't always formulated the same, and the quality of ingredients may vary," says Rita Stadler of Earth Kind. "The answer depends on the type of product being used, its efficacy, and your personal tolerance or reaction to it."

To better understand a DIY mosquito repellent's shelf life (and efficacy), follow this rule of thumb: "Once the fragrance is gone, the repellency is gone," says Stadler. Be ready to reapply frequently, especially when camping or in damp, mosquito-prone environments, and mix your repellent in small batches so it doesn't lose its strength before you get to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What attracts mosquitoes?

Many things can attract mosquitoes—everything from standing water and your unique body odor to the carbon dioxide that you emit when you breathe. Most of these factors are not things you can change too much—aside from removing standing water and moving outdoor workouts inside during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. One thing that you can control is bright-colored, contrasting clothing, which helps mosquitoes see you—so if you're going camping near a lake, for instance, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in non-contrasting colors.
What time of day do mosquitoes bite the most?

Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning hours before dawn as well as when it begins to cool down in the evening during dusk. Mosquitoes tend to avoid the middle of the day when it's too warm out as the heat and direct sunlight can dehydrate them.
What other household items do mosquitoes hate?

Vinegar! Mosquitoes hate the smell of vinegar, so using white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar in your mosquito prevention efforts should do the trick.