These 10 Natural Mosquito Repellents Can Actually Help

Summary: Natural mosquito repellents are easier to use than one may think. This blog discusses 10 natural mosquito repellents and the reasoning behind each one’s efficacy. It also talks about how repellents need to be combined with professional services. Green Pest Services provides efficient, family-friendly mosquito control.

Happy World Environment Day from Green Pest Services! Today is all about raising awareness for protection of the environment and elimination of plastic pollution. There are all kinds of helpful resources on easy ways to be more Earth-friendly in our daily lives. One area of concern that always comes up is pest control and its chemical-based treatments.

There is definitely a need for professional pest control. Pest infestations are best handled by trained technicians with advanced treatment methods, as they can target the root of the problem much more efficiently. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with using some eco-friendly prevention tactics.

Since mosquito season is in full swing, it’s time to put the best preventative measures in action. Let’s explore the world of natural mosquito repellents by discussing the 10 that seem to be the most effective in combating the bloodsuckers.

A Note On Natural Repellents

But first, a small disclaimer. DIY pest prevention definitely helps keep a home pest-free, but it’s most effective when combined with some type of pest control. DIY repellents aren’t as effective or consistent as professional treatments. Plus, technicians are trained in the safest and most efficient ways to apply said treatments.

Female mosquitoes can produce 100 eggs after just one blood meal. They find us by detecting our sweat, body heat, carbon dioxide output, and body odor. That’s why preventing these pests from incessantly feeding on us is important.

All of the methods you’re about to read are meant to keep mosquitoes from detecting us, not necessarily to kill them (that’s what services are for!). So, let’s jump in and see how these repellents can keep your yard’s mosquito population down to a minimum.

Marigolds

A beautiful flower and a mosquito repellent? Sign us up! Marigolds have pyrethrum, a component in many organic insecticides. The scent repels a lot of pests — mosquitoes included — and attracts carnivorous bugs to handle the garden pests. Place them in pots around the patio or porch to ward off mosquitoes. You can also plant these around the garden to create a protective border for your plants.

Vinegar

Mosquitoes hate the smell of vinegar, so why not use it to our advantage? White vinegar and apple cider vinegar both work for this purpose. The recommended ratio is about 80% vinegar to 20% water. Put this mixture in a spray bottle, and spritz the outdoor furniture and surfaces where you will be spending a lot of time. As long as the vinegar is strong, it should keep the mosquitoes at bay. Bonus tip: apple cider vinegar is said to soothe mosquito bites!

Citronella

Those smelly candles might’ve been the first thing you thought of when we mentioned “mosquito prevention.” The mixture of herbs in citronella candles is said to provide up to 50% more protection in its vicinity. If you’re hosting a backyard party, place these candles around the group to create a barrier. Citronella plants are also helpful, but their oil needs to be released to be truly effective. The combined efforts of citronella candles and oil are the most impactful.

DIY Mosquito Repellents

These are based on essential oils (more on these later) that repel mosquitoes and other scent-sensitive pests. The typical ratio is 1 drop of oil to 10 drops of the base. The base can be vinegar, witch hazel, isopropyl alcohol, or coconut oil. Using your choice of oils, create your concoction and patch test the spray on a small part of your skin to confirm there’s no reaction. When you’re good to go, spray your clothes and exposed skin — besides your face — with it.

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) has been one of the best mosquito repellents for decades. It’s even approved by the CDC as an active ingredient in bug repellents! OLE is estimated to be effective for up to 6 hours, one of the longest spans for any natural repellent. Look for an EPA-registered natural repellent that contains OLE next time you’re in search of a bottled repellent. It’s important to note that OLE, like many ingredients, should not be used on children under 3 years old.

Lavender

Lavender’s strong aroma masks our natural scent, making it harder for mosquitoes to find a food source. The oil in these flowers is said to impact their sense of smell. That’s why using lavender essential oil or crushing lavender flowers are the best methods. Lavender bushes are helpful, especially since these flowers are big favorites of pollinators. If you have a curious dog or cat, the actual plants might not be the best — lavender is toxic to pets.

Fans

We’ll never complain about sitting near a fan in the dead of summer. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so they can’t get close to an electric fan when it’s going. When you host an outdoor party or spend a lot of time sitting outside, place a few fans around the entertaining area. They’re especially helpful near the patio, barbecue, and seating area. If your patio has a ceiling fan, that can help keep mosquitoes away as well. Anything helps in the hot and humid summer!

Essential Oils

We’re back to the DIY arena on this one. As with the other scents in this blog, essential oils help mask our natural odors that attract mosquitoes. Use a ratio of 20% oil to 80% water in a spray bottle, and spray the outdoor furniture and your clothing with it. Since the fragrance is needed to actually repel the pests, you’ll have to reapply or re-spray this throughout the day. You can also diffuse this mixture in your seating area to up the ante.

The oils that are said to consistently repel mosquitoes include:

• Thyme

• Eucalyptus

• Lavender

• Tea tree

• Rosemary

• Peppermint

• Citronella

• Cedar wood

Catnip

Catnip seems to really impact the irritant receptors of various bugs, mosquitoes included. Studies are being done on how it impacts these receptors and could be used to create targeted insect repellents that contain catnip. In the meantime, you can use catnip to repel mosquitoes by using its essential oil or rubbing a sprig in between your hands. If you plant this herb in your yard, make sure it gets full sun!

Personal Style

This seems like a weird entry on the list, but stick with us. Anytime you plan to spend a day outside, there are some precautions you can take to keep yourself from being mosquito food. Bright clothing and flowery perfumes make us stand out to these pests. We suggest wearing darker clothes and skipping the perfume on these days. Spray yourself with repellent before heading out, and reapply if you’re outside at dusk or dawn — these are their most active times.

Want Eco-Friendly Pest Control? Call Green!

If you don’t already receive regular pest control services, the idea of introducing pesticides to your home can be intimidating. At Green Pest Services, our trained technicians aim to remove this fear by providing efficient solutions to all kinds of pest problems. Our services are family-friendly, pet-friendly, and environmentally-friendly.

Our services are based on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This strategy uses a combination of treatment methods (exclusion work, granules, spray, etc.) to solve pest problems, rather than solely relying on chemicals. Safe pest control is possible with Green. Contact us for a free quote on our reliable services today!

Citations

Burdick, A. & McIntosh, J. (2025, May 23). 23 plants that work to repel mosquitos in your backyard. The Spruce. Available at https://www.thespruce.com/plants-that-repel-mosquitoes-4583885 (Accessed on May 29, 2025).

Catnip’s effectiveness as a natural mosquito repellent linked to irritant receptor activation. (2021, March 5). GEN: Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://www.genengnews.com/news/catnips-effectiveness-as-a-natural-mosquito-repellent-linked-to-irritant-receptor-activation/

Copeland, B. & Kelly, A. (2025, May 22). How to make DIY mosquito repellent that will actually prevent bites. Martha Stewart. Available at https://www.marthastewart.com/diy-mosquito-repellent-7485823 (Accessed on May 29, 2025).

Hansen, I.A. & Luker, H.A. (2023, July 10). Research found these mosquito repellents are the most effective ways to get rid of the pests. CBS News. Available at https://www.cbsnews.com/news/best-mosquito-repellent-most-effective-way-to-get-rid-plants-indoor-yard-skin/ (Accessed on May 29, 2025).

Urban, S. (2024, September 10). 7 natural ways to repel mosquitoes. Organic Authority. Available at https://www.organicauthority.com/live-grow/natural-ways-to-repel-mosquitoes (Accessed on May 29, 2025).

Yasin, K. & Marcin, A. (2023, February 8). 10 natural ingredients that repel mosquitoes. Healthline. Available at https://www.healthline.com/health/kinds-of-natural-mosquito-repellant (Accessed on May 29, 2025).