Mosquitoes are a fact of life here in swampy Florida. Suffering with itchy bites and swelling that last for days is miserable! I grew up using traditional mosquito repellants but have become more interested in finding natural ways to reduce mosquito repellant to reduce the toxic load on my family.
Not only are mosquito bites irritating, but they can also carry serious diseases such as West Nile, chikungunya virus infection and encephalitis.
Here’s some natural ways to help reduce or even prevent mosquito bites.
Essential Oils are a Natural Mosquito Repellant
No matter where you live, if you’re spending time outside in the summer heat and humidity, mosquitoes are going to be around. It’s impossible to avoid mosquitoes completely, but you can keep them from biting you. One way to do this is by using essential oils. Try diluting eucalyptus and lemon essential oils with a carrier oil, then apply it to exposed skin. You can also try other oils such as citronella, tea tree and lavender. Be sure to reapply every couple of hours. If you’d rather not DIY, there are also pre-mixed, kid-safe essential oil blends that you can try.
Try Apple Cider Vinegar
Another natural way to reduce mosquito bites is with apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar of course is all natural and won’t harm your skin, though you might want to test it on a small area first to be sure that you aren’t allergic to it. You can rub it directly on your skin, but if you don’t want to smell like a salad you can also dilute it with water first. And if you try adding apple cider vinegar to your foods and water, you may even build up an odor in your skin that repels mosquitoes and they’ll start to leave you alone.
Use Fans to Keep Mosquitoes Away
Mosquitoes hate wind and breezes, so create some to help keep them away. This is because the wind makes it hard for them to fly. If you have some outside electric outlets such as your patio, you might want to consider bringing some fans outside to blow in various directions close to where you are. This should help to keep the mosquitoes in the yard and away from the patio.
Electronic Insect Killer
We use an electronic insect killer in our yard. They’re a great way to rid your yard area of biting, annoying insect pests without harming the environment. It operates for just pennies a day and is low maintenance.
Landscaping
Incorporate plants into your landscaping that are natural mosquito repellants. Varieties to check out include lemongrass, marigolds, lavender, rosemary, basil, geraniums and lemon balm. If you have pets, always check to see if the plants that you’re thinking about using are pet friendly.
Mosquito bites are not usually harmful, but they can cause burning and itching of the area. Apply something cooling to the area if you do get bit, such as essential oils or aloe vera gel.
Do you have a favorite natural mosquito bite remedy?
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I’m a mosquito magnet and I hate the sticky film bug repellant leaves on my skin… I’m eager to try the apple cider and essential oil tips you suggested! Thanks for sharing.
I hope they work for you!
Great ideas! I’ve never tried the essential oils for this purpose. I’ll have to give it a go.
These are some great tips! Growing up, my mother always rubbed mosquito bites with hydrogen peroxide and they would be gone the next day.
I have both rosemary and basil in my front yard and had no idea that they were good for repelling mosquitos! Apple cider vinegar can be strong, so I wonder if just having out in an open container would do the trick…?
Not sure about that…I haven’t tried it here. We really like the bug zapper and sometimes my husband talks about bats.
It’s always a toss up during the summer, as to what I dislike more, biting insects or chemical filled repellents. This year, I’m determined to try natural remedies, so I’m very happy to have found this post! I will be mixing up a batch of natural bug spray as soon as I purchase the ingredients. Thanks for sharing!