Make homemade insect / mosquito repellent

Edited by Ryan, Eng, Lynn, Maureen D. and 23 others

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As a parent of a two-year-old child, I am worried about her safety inside and outside our home. What I can't control are the insects, like mosquitoes, that might bite and infect her with a virus. I don't want to scare you, but here is a short list of diseases/viruses carried by mosquitoes and other insects:

Mosquitoes Other Insects Other Insects Continued
  • Arboviral encephalitides
  • Eastern equine encephalitis
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • La Crosse encephalitis
  • St. Louis encephalitis
  • West Nile virus
  • Dengue fever
  • Malaria
  • Rift Valley fever
  • Yellow fever
  • African horse sickness
  • Babesiosis
  • Bluetongue disease
  • Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)
  • Dengue fever
  • Tick-borne encephalitis
  • Leishmaniasis
  • Lyme disease
  • Plague
  • Pogosta disease
  • Karelian fever
  • Ockelbo disease
  • Sindbis fever
  • Typhus
  • Rickettsialpox
  • Boutonneuse fever
  • African tick bite fever
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
  • West Nile disease
Contents

Homemade Insect Repellent Recipe

Ingredients Needed:

  • Vinegar
  • 1/2 oz. of citronella oil
  • 1/4 oz. of lavender oil
  • 1/8 oz. of pennyroyal oil
  • 1/8 oz. of tea tree oil
  • 16 oz. of sweet almond oil

After blending all ingredients into a jar or bottle, you have created a repellent that you can use it as you would sunscreen or body lotion, as it's not meant to be used with a spray bottle.

For another repellent that can be rubbed on the skin, you can use lavender flowers and vinegar. Follow the directions below:

  1. 1
    Fill a jar or other container that has a lid with lavender flowers
    .
    Ensure that the flowers are dried, which will make them easier to fit into the container.
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  2. 2
    Fill the rest of the container with vinegar
    .
    You should use enough vinegar so the lavender flowers are completely covered by the vinegar.
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  3. 3
    Shake the container after you have poured the vinegar into it
    .
    Continue to shake it daily for seven days. This makes sure the vinegar pulls the active ingredients from the flowers.
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  4. 4
    To use it, spread the solution on a cotton ball or paper towel and wipe it on your skin to protect yourself from insects
    .
    Repeat after swimming.
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Avoid commercial DEET based repellents

Deet.jpg

Insect repellent is the most effective way to avoid these insects, especially mosquitoes, but they aren't good for you. They can have negative effects when used, from your skin absorbing the chemicals, to breathing it in. One of the ingredients in some insect repellents is DEET, which is a chemical pesticide.

Too much exposure to DEET can cause negative side effects to our health, especially to our children, such as shortness of breath, tremors, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, weakness, headache, and memory loss. This article will teach you to create an insect repellent that is 100 percent natural, with no chemicals needed to boost their effects. Most of the ingredients you need can just be found in your garden, home or kitchen, or a quick trip to a health food store.

Homemade Mosquito Repellent

  1. 1
    Vegetable Oil and Lavender Oil
    .
    Mix 30 drops of lavender oil and two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Rub it on your skin. You can use it anytime you need it without any negative side effects.
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  2. 2
    Rosemary
    .
    While grilling your favorite meat, hot dogs, or marshmallows, throw a little rosemary on your barbecue and mosquitoes will definitely stop bugging you.
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  3. 3
    Mosquito repelling plants
    .
    If you have a garden or pot, plant catnip, lavender, citronella, and feverfew.
    Gardening my plants catnip 29-july.jpg
    Bee on lavender flower.jpg
    Citronella plants- another alternative.jpg
    Garden, Feverfew 01.jpg
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  4. 4
    Repellent drink
    .
    Use apple cider vinegar mixed with 16 ounces of water. Drink this insect repellent juice so mosquitoes won't go near to you.
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  5. 5
    Bats
    .
    Have a bat in your garden. Bats can eat 1000 insects in a night.
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  6. 6
    Remove stagnant water
    .
    Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water, so be sure that you don't keep standing water around to act as breeding grounds for them.
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  7. 7
    Garlic
    .
    Garlic is one of the best repellent sprays because it can last up to six hours. All you need to do is use one part garlic, mixed with five parts water in an empty spray bottle. You can spray it on any exposed areas.
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  8. 8
    Mint, basil and rosemary
    .
    Steep a tea using these herbs. When cooled, strain and pour the herbal water into a spray bottle. You can use it anytime you needed without negative side effects.
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Homemade Ant Repellent

  1. 1
    Soapy water
    .
    Soapy water is one of the easiest solutions. Mix soap and water in a spray bottle and it's ready to use.
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  • 2
    Cucumber
    .
    Slice a cucumber and place it in the ants' hideout. If you have a bitter cucumber in your kitchen, you just need to slice it and place it at the ants' entry. Ants dislike cucumber.
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  • 3
    Mint leaves or mint tea
    .
    You can leave a mint tea bag in an area where you see ant activity. Dried mint leaves can also be an alternative.
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  • 4
    Place repellents at entry points
    .
    At the entry area of ants, use cinnamon or coffee grounds, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, or string soaked with citrus oil.
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  • 5
    Borax and vinegar solution
    .
    Get a yogurt container and create holes in the lid for the ants to enter. Prepare a cup of vinegar, one teaspoon borax and one liter of water. Mix all the ingredients. Soak cotton balls in the solution and place them inside the yogurt container. It is a bait, and once the ants go back to their colony, there is a big chance that those ants will kill the colony.
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  • 6
    Planting Wormwood (Artemisia officinalis) near anthills is an excellent deterrent
    .
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  • Homemade Cockroach Repellent

    1. 1
      Soapy water
      .
      Just like ants, a solution of soap and water can kill cockroaches.
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    2. 2
      Diatomaceous earth
      .
      Sprinkle around the secret areas where cockroaches might congregate, like cabinets and baseboards. This dust is known to cause dehydration in cockroaches that leads to death.
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    3. 3
      Beer and Bread
      .
      If you have beer in your fridge, use it to soak bread, then place it in an empty coffee can and leave it where you see cockroaches. Once they get in the can, they can't get out.
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    4. 4
      Boric acid
      .
      If you have boric acid, you can leave it on top of your cabinet, not inside. It will not only kill the cockroaches that walk through it, but they will also take it to their nest, and it will kill them all.
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    Homemade Flea Repellent

    1. 1
      Fleabane daisy erigeron
      .
      Plant some in your garden to repel fleas. It will not only serve as repellent, but this plant looks beautiful with its daisy-like flowers.
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    2. 2
      Citrus
      .
      Use of citrus is one of the most natural effective ways to remove fleas from your dog, although this is not suitable for cats. Boil a cup of water and pour it over a slice of lemon. Be sure to include the lemon's skin because it produces more citrus. Soak it overnight and sponge it on your dogs to kill the fleas.
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    3. 3
      Cedar
      .
      You can use cedar oil or cedar shampoo. It's one of the safest flea removal products you can buy over the counter.
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    4. 4
      Vinegar, yeast and garlic
      .
      Try to add apple cider vinegar or brewer's yeast and garlic to your dog's food. This will eliminate fleas your beloved pet. Raw garlic is not recommendable to give to your cat.
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    5. 5
      Bathe your pets
      .
      If you can, bathe your pet regularly with mild soap and never forget to comb them. Dawn dish detergent will kill fleas and is gentle for your pets. If you see a flea in the comb, just dip it in the soapy water.
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    6. 6
      Place soapy water under a lamp
      .
      Fleas are attracted to warm light, so place soapy water under the lamp to prevent them from bouncing into other places.
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    7. 7
      Nematodes
      .
      Nematodes are worms that you can place outside or in your garden to eat fleas' larvae.
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    8. 8
      Rue is an herb that many commercial flea powders us in their ingredients
      .
      Make a tea from the dried herb and strain the tea into a spray bottle. This is very good for infested furniture.
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    Homemade Dust Mite Repellent

    1. 1
      Avoid using humidifiers
      .
      Dust mites can survive in warm and humid places. It is better to avoid the use of humidifiers if you find out that you have dust mites at home.
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    2. 2
      Keep beds and bedding clean
      .
      You need to vacuum your mattresses and pillows, and wash sheets regularly. Buy special bedding for those who are allergic or sensitive to dust mites.
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    3. 3
      Tannic Acid
      .
      Use tannic acid powder to neutralize the allergens in dust mites.
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    4. 4
      Wash stuffed animals
      .
      Use hot water to wash stuffed animals. Wash them regularly.
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    5. 5
      Filters
      .
      Use a filter to cover heating ducts to trap tiny dust particles.
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    6. 6
      Wash in hot water
      .
      Use a temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) to wash your bedding.
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    7. 7
      As dust mites love dark places, it's not a bad idea to make your bed later, leaving the covers drawn, and the sun to come through the window to shine on your bed.
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    Will boiling alcohol, white vinegar, pepper oil, and eucalyptus oil help with killing dust mites?

    While there has not been a proven study that such a combination is really effective in killing dust mites, eucalyptus oil is a surefire way to eliminate them.

    1. 1
      Combine six tablespoons of eucalyptus oil and one and one-fourth tablespoon of your preferred liquid laundry detergent in thirteen gallons of water.
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    2. 2
      Soak your mite-infested stuff for an hour.
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    The eucalyptus oil is a very essential part of the solution for it removes 99% of the mites.

    Another effective solution you can try is one with Wintergreen essential oil.

    1. 1
      Add about half teaspoon of the wintergreen essential oil to a quart of tap water.
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    2. 2
      Use as a spray for things infested with mites, such as furniture or linen.
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    Homemade Fly Repellent

    1. 1
      Mint
      .
      To discourage flies, crush some mint leaves and place them around your home. Use it as fly repellent.
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    2. 2
      Cloves, Bay Leaves and Eucalyptus
      .
      Wrap cloves, bay leaves and eucalyptus into a facecloth sized square cheesecloth, or a cheesecloth bag, and hang it in your window.
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    3. 3
      Do-it-yourself Flypaper
      .
      In a small bowl, mix one tablespoon granulated sugar, one tablespoon brown sugar, and 1/4 cup syrup. Soak a strip of craft paper in this mixture. Let it dry overnight. Hang it with strings or thread.
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    4. 4
      Sweet Basil and Clover
      .
      In a small container, mix sweet basil and clover. Leave it near any open food in the house.
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    Homemade Bedbug Repellent

    1. 1
      Diatomaceous earth
      .
      Use food-grade diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle it in the area where there is bed bug activity.
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    2. 2
      Wash in hot water
      .
      Use water that is 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to wash all the bedding.
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    3. 3
      Keep area clean
      .
      Clean and vacuum the entire infected area then sprinkle with diatomaceous earth.
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    Homemade Tick Repellent

    The ingredients to make this repellent are inexpensive and can be found at home. The procedure is not too complicated either. What you need to prepare are the following:

    • A spray bottle - you can use your empty perfume spray bottle
    • 2 cups of distilled white vinegar
    • 1 cup of tap water
    • 10 drops of your favorite scent of essential oil
    • 10 drops of bath oil

    Suggested essential oils

    • Citrus oils - They are mandarin, orange, lemon, grapefruit and other citrus fruit extracts. This oil causes photosensitivity. Do not use if you're spending time outdoors in the sun.
    • Eucalyptus oils - Aside from being an insect repellent, this oil is used widely for the treatment of respiratory infections, as an antiseptic, in vaporizer fluids and it is even a fever reducer too. In the food industry, eucalyptus is added as flavoring agent.
    • Peppermint oil - It has been proven to repel insects, and is used as a food-flavoring agent like citrus oils. Some cosmetic companies add this oil to their products too, and it has many other health benefits as well.

    Step By Step Instructions For Making A Tick Repellent

    • Wash the spray bottle and make sure it has been air dried before starting the procedure.
    • Pour a cup of water in the dried spray bottle, then add the vinegar and shake well.
    • Add your choice of oils to the water and vinegar solution. Again, shake the solution well.

    After mixing the solution, you can spray this onto clothes, skin, and even hair, reapplying every few hours as necessary.

    Homemade Insect Repellent Cream

    This recipe contains citronella, and aside from being one of the most popular insect repellents, extracts or oil from this plant can be used as ingredients in candles, incense and soaps as well. Citronella is considered to be non-toxic, but products containing this still have an application limit per day, so be sure to read instructions carefully before use. To make your own insect repellent cream, follow the directions below.

    Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon of powdered Borax (you can get this commercial chemical at your local supermarkets or even online)
    • 25 ml (around 5 teaspoons) boiling water
    • 4 tablespoons of beeswax (this is a commercial honeybee secretion used in making candles)
    • 6 tablespoons of olive oil (this oil has a lot of natural benefits and can be used for healthy cooking too)
    • 5 drops of citronella essential oil (can be found at your leading supermarkets)
    • 5 drops of lavender essential oil (this particular oil is proven to provide calming effects, relieve stress and aid sleep, aside from being a good insect repellent)

    Procedure

    1. 1
      Dissolve Borax powder in boiling water
      .
      Make sure to use a glass or stainless steel container when doing this.
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    2. 2
      Using the bain-marie method, or a double boiler, on very low heat, gradually melt Beeswax, then add olive oil, drop by drop, stirring continuously until you reach the desired smooth consistency.
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    3. 3
      Pour the dissolved Borax into the beeswax and olive oil mixture, and turn off heat
      .
      Set aside.
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    4. 4
      At this point, add citronella and lavender oil
      .
      Stir constantly until the mixture thickens, and is so thick that you are not able to stir anymore.
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    5. 5
      Pour the cream into a tightly sealed jar and put a label on it.
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    This cream will last for a maximum of one year if kept at room temperature, and longer if you store it in the fridge. Never store it in an area where the sun is shining directly. Warning! This cream is not suitable for babies and children.

    Attract Bats To Reduce The Insect Population

    Bats eat insects and thus are particularly effective in reducing their population around your hourse.

    1. 1
      Bats, especially those who are small and slow flying, are attracted to mature trees
      .
      This is because they are more secure in these trees, where their predators cannot easily catch them.
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    2. 2
      Be sure you have a source of water nearby
      .
      Bats like rivers or lakes, but if it is not available in your area, you can use a birdbath.
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    3. 3
      Be sure there are no owls or hawks in your yard or garden
      .
      They are the bat's predators.
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    4. 4
      Create a bat house or bat box
      .
      It should be placed on the side of the tree trunk.
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    5. 5
      Bat houses or bat boxes should be from15 to 25 feet off the ground
      .
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    6. 6
      Don't forget to include fruits inside the bat box
      .
      Bats love to eat fruit.
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    Plants That Naturally Repel Insects And Mosquitoes

    1. 1
      Lavender
      .
      Mosquitoes, fleas and moths can't stand the smell of this beautiful flower. Plant lavender in your garden, not just because of its benefits, but also for the beauty it can add to your yard.
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    2. 2
      Thyme and Rosemary
      .
      These two herbs are far better than DEET. The effects last a long time, like DEET, but without the harmful effects that DEET can cause to your health.
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    3. 3
      Citronella
      .
      I could say that this is the most popular among natural insect repellents, but it will not grow in a cold weather.
      Citro.jpg
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    4. 4
      Catnip
      .
      The scent of this plant is better than using DEET. However if you don't want it to take over your entire yard then just plant it in a pot.
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    5. 5
      Basil
      .
      The pungent smell of this plant will keep the bugs away. So if you want bugs to leave your yard, then plant as much basil as you can.
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    6. 6
      Lemon Balm
      .
      It is not only useful as insect repellent, but you can also use this as a substitute for lemon peel to flavor hot and cold teas, and you can also use the leaves as potpourris.
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    7. 7
      Mexican Marigold
      .
      Just like some of the other insect repellent plants, you can also use its fresh flowers in salads, or to garnish your delicious meal.
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    Make Insect Repellent Using Thyme

    Jerry-thyme insect repellant.jpg

    Protecting your health from disease-carrying mosquitoes, and simply protecting yourself from annoying pests other than the neighborhood bully, doesn't have to mean facing the lesser of two evils. Strong poisonous chemicals in many insect repellants do a great job of keeping unwanted bugs from attacking your body, but at the same time, these same insect repellants can jeopardize your health. Many insect repellants sold at your local drug store are loaded with diethyl-meta-toluamide, or DEET. It is just as ominous and dangerous as it sounds. DEET will dissolve plastic, rayon, spandex, varnish, and many other compounds. It's harmful to skin if used extensively. Any insect repellant with 30% or more concentration of DEET is banned in Canada. Is there an alternative that is efficacious in blocking insects, yet is safe to put on your skin? The solution is in your spice rack. It is thyme, and this is the perfect time to protect you from insects, while being safe to use.

    • Even though we enjoy the aroma of thyme; all insects despise the entire thyme plant, making it useful as a repellent. Have thyme plants interspersed among your vegetables in your garden, and you have an effective natural insect repellant.
    • It is also a very effective insect repellant for your skin. When applied on your body, this is one bug repellant that you can use on your entire family. Your "entire family" includes your loving cat and dog, of course. It is also a safe treatment when sprayed on your garden vegetables, protecting your food from the same annoying insects. For that matter, you can even spray your lawn to deter the bugs on your lawn. The recipe and easy-to-follow procedures are provided below.
    1. 1
      Recipe for a natural insect repellant made of thyme
      :
       
      1. ¼ cup of distilled water
      2. 10 drops tincture of Eucalyptus
      3. ¼ cup of olive oil or castor oil
      4. 15 drops tincture of Thyme
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    2. 2
      Instructions
      :
       
      1. Pour the distilled water into a bowl.
      2. Pour the olive or castor oil into the distilled water, and mix it thoroughly.
      3. Continue mixing as you add the tinctures of Thyme and Eucalyptus.
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    Using your new herbal repellant, you and your loved ones can now safely enjoy spending time outdoors, and walk around in your lawn without being disturbed by pests. You can also walk through your garden, plucking fresh vegetables with peace of mind, thanks to this effective insect repellant. This is an excellent alternative to the harmful DEET insect repellants that are offered over-the-counter at many stores. It is also one more way that you can help saving our Mother Earth.

    To learn how to make homemade insect repellent for your baby, visit this VisiHow article Make Homemade Insect Repellent for Babies

    Questions and Answers

    Which homemade repellent recipe is most effective against dengue?

    There are effective natural, homemade insect repellents that are effective against dengue. Not only do they work, they only cost very little.

    • Lemon-Based Insect Repellent. Ingredients are: 2 slices of lemon, 2 cups of water, and a spray bottle. Directions: Boil a cup of water, then add the lemon slices. For a few minutes, let the mixture cool. Drain with a strainer and then transfer into a spray bottle. Lemon, which is a citrus fruit, contains lemonin, which deters insects, like mosquitoes, from biting the skin. Insects do not like the smell of the strong citrus odor. Each bottle of the lemon-based insect repellent will only cost around 35 US cents. This is considered a mild insect repellent, so it needs to be reapplied to the skin every hour.
    • Essential Oil Insect Repellent. Ingredients are 1 tablespoon of alcohol, a tablespoon of olive oil, 10 drops of castor oil, and 10 to 15 drops of citronella or eucalyptus essential oil, and a spray bottle. Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Mix well and pour into a spray bottle. Cooking oil can also be used as an alternative to olive oil. Essential oils originate from flowers, plants and seeds. A bottle of essential oil insect repellent will only cost a little more than one US dollar.
    • Lemongrass Insect Repellent. Ingredients are 1 cup of chopped lemongrass, 1 cup of chopped citronella leaves, 1 tablespoon of essential oil, 2 cups of water, and a spray bottle. Directions: The chopped lemongrass and citronella leaves are placed into a blender. Blend them well and then add a tablespoon of essential oil. Boil the 2 cups of water and then pour in the lemongrass mixture you made. After a few minutes, pour through a strainer. Pour what you made into a spray bottle. Each bottle of lemongrass insect repellent will only cost you a little less than one US dollar.

    One of the best homemade mosquito repellent recipes is the lemon-based mosquito repellent. Citrus fruits, especially lemons, contain lemonin, which is very effective in repelling mosquitoes. According to some studies, the lemonin content of lemons has a strong citrus odor which is not very pleasing to mosquitoes. Here's a good lemon-based homemade mosquito repellent recipe:

    Lemon Mosquito Repellent Spray

    • Boil two cups of water.
    • Add two to three lemons (thinly sliced).
    • Wait for the mixture to cool then strain the solution into a spray bottle.

    The above home-recipe is one of the best homemade recipes to repel dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

    See more questions like this: Castor oil for cockroach repellent

    See more questions like this: Can I grind the pomelo peelings and spray it? I saw this on the internet

    Which homemade recipe works best as both a tick and mosquito repellent?

    Essential Oil Insect Repellent

    Ingredients:

    • 2 ounces of water
    • 10 drops each of eucalyptus oil, lemongrass oil and peppermint oil.

    Procedures:

    • Mix all the ingredients together and pour them into a bottle spray.
    • Spray them on your skin generously and this should remain effective for 3-5 hours. *Spray the mixture again after a few hours to make sure you're still protected.

    Witch Hazel And Essential Oils Repellent

    Ingredients:

    • 1 ounce each of both water and witch hazel
    • 15 drops of either lavender, lemongrass or clove oil.

    Procedure:

    • Mix all the ingredients together and put into a spray bottle.
    • This repellent is suitable for small children because it is very gentle. For older kids, you can use tea tree or eucalyptus oils.

    One of the best homemade recipes for repelling ticks and mosquitoes is the lemon juice and the lemon eucalyptus oil recipe. The lemon juice contains lemonin, which emits a strong citrus odor not at all pleasing to ticks and mosquitoes, and the lemon eucalyptus oil contains p-menthane 3,8-diol or PMD, which is a natural insect-repellent that effectively repels mosquitoes, and even kill ticks - according to the "Journal of Medical Entomology" (a 2004 Swedish study).

    RECIPE

    • 2 cups water
    • 2 lemons thinly sliced
    • 2 tablespoons lemon eucalyptus oil

    PROCEDURE:

    1. Boil the 2 cups of water.

    2. Add the lemons and simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

    3. Strain and let it cool.

    4. Add the eucalyptus oil.

    5. Pour the solution to a spray bottle.

    How do you make yeast and pepper as mosquito repellant?

    When making an effective topical mosquito repellant, it is important to make use of ingredients that discourage mosquitoes from actually landing on your skin. Most of these ingredients have strong fragrances; as well they have a very sticky or slippery texture.

    Strong fragrances do not have to be something that is unpleasant to humans. There are fragrances people find lovely, like citronella, but they are completely irritating to mosquitoes, which is why they avoid them. There are various natural plants and essential oils out there that can be used as a mosquito repellent, just by capitalizing on their smell. They even don't have to be applied directly on the skin, but just use them like you would use an air freshener, and the mosquitoes will be able to sense the smell and head elsewhere.

    Aside from synthetic repellents that are easily purchased at supermarkets or drugstores, there are also various products you can concoct at home. Although natural products are better, the downside to this is the fact that the strength and duration of effectiveness is usually better for synthetic ones. This should not be an issue since many ingredients are easily found in your kitchen are effective, and it doesn't take much time to use them to make an insect repellant. An example of two of these ingredients are yeast and pepper.

    There are so-called nutritional yeast tablets that you can ingest which will help you repel mosquitoes. It works the same way as garlic. After ingestion, your body emits a certain odor that mosquitoes are not able to tolerate. If you don't want to take these tablets, you can crush them into powder and put the powder onto small coasters or in containers, and position them discreetly around your home. The overall smell, although you may not notice, is very unpleasant to mosquitoes.

    Pepper, on the other hand, has been used as an alternative to Deet, which is very effective in repelling mosquitoes, but may cause allergic reactions, especially in children. As a result, there are two products which have been synthetically produced as replacement to Deet: Picaridin and Piperidine. If you would rather use the organic form, that is also possible. Mix a teaspoon of pepper to fragrant tea like jasmine or chrysanthemum, and let it sit on your essential oil burner for hours. The tea will fill the air with an aroma that people love, and mosquitoes detest - making it a wonderful repellent.

    Another alternative to this is decorating the plants outside or inside your home with those bright red cayenne peppers. Simply lay them randomly on the soil near your plants and just let them sit there. It would be better if you pinch the body of the pepper a bit, to release the smell and the essential oils of the pepper. If you do this for some of your plants in the garden, you will notice a significant reduction in the amount of insects plaguing the leaves and stems of your plants. You can scatter peppers as generously as possible. Once they get old, they will naturally just mix with the soil of the plant and act as a fertilizer. So in fact, this particular technique is very simple to do and requires no maintenance.

    The peppers, however, are not effective in repelling mosquitoes. Search the mosquito repellents in this article, as they are quite effective and well researched. For example, just mix 30 drops of lavender oil and two tablespoons of vegetable oil and rub it on exposed skin to keep mosquitoes away.

    How can I make castor oil repellent for mites?

    Castor oil has been a very popular home remedy throughout the generations. Among the other oils out there, castor oil does not freeze in lower temperatures. It is therefore ideal to use as a base for several cosmetics, such as lip balms, moisturizers, and even soap. Therefore, it is definitely safe to use as a base for insect repellents, particularly for mites. What's even better, is that castor oil not only works as a topical moisturizer base, but it also repels insects on its own.

    There is a condition where demodex mites actually live in the skin and this is a rather irritating skin condition. These mites are said to invade the skin through the pores and live there for days until they breeds further. The application of pure castor oil has been proven to be rather effective, because it sheds the mites from the skin and discourages them from coming back. Although castor oil may be mixed with other components like tea tree oil, which has also been known to be effective against mites, applying castor oil alone should be enough to address the issue. Just use it like you would use your moisturizer and apply generously. However, be rather careful when applying castor oil on the face, especially in areas near or surrounding the eyes. Castor oil, because of its thick consistency may block the tear glands and cause irritation to the conjunctiva.

    Here are other ways of using castor oil to repel mites:

    • After-Bath Moisturizer. If the idea of lathering your skin with thick layers of castor oil sounds like it's too much or too messy for you, you may prefer using a few drops of it on your skin right after your bath instead, when your skin is still wet. You will be able to get enough of it on your skin, without it feeling so greasy. This is because the oil will be able to lock in the moisture at the same time. Towel dry your skin after application. This way, your skin will be able to repel mites all day long.
    • Body Scrub Agent. If you would like to target particular areas that already have mites, you may want to be a bit more aggressive - having the castor oil penetrate your skin by scrubbing. Put a few drops of castor oil onto your bath mitten and scrub vigorously on the area.
    • Repellent Spray. If you only want to apply castor oil onto areas which are greatly exposed, you may want to opt for a spray instead.

    To Make a Castor Oil Repellant

    Mix the castor oil with any of the following:

    • olive oil
    • sunflower oil
    • any type of cooking oil
    • witch hazel
    • vodka

    Directions

    • put in container (spray)
    • spray or rub on skin or clothing
    • reapply after an hour or after swimming

    Can I use eucalyptus oil and olive oil to make mosquito spray?

    Eucalyptus oil is effective in repelling mosquitoes, mainly because mosquitoes are turned off by its minty smell. Eucalyptus oil alone should be effective in acting as a mosquito repellent.

    Combining eucalyptus oil and olive oil is not a good idea to make mosquito spray, even when you use it topically or as a room spray. When used topically, the combination of olive oil and eucalyptus oil ends up with a foul smell you won't want on your skin. On the other hand, if you use it as a room spray, the olive oil will make the mixture very heavy, making it unable to actually travel across the room. Instead, it tends to concentrate in one area. Even worse, is that it will drop to the floor, particularly on your carpet, and mosquitoes in the other parts of the room will not be targeted.

    The answer is yes, eucalyptus oil combined with olive oil makes a good mosquito repellent spray. Most natural and commercially made mosquito repellent sprays contain eucalyptus oil that is effective for up to seven hours. Technically, eucalyptus has almost 700 species and two of the best eucalyptus species commonly used in mosquito repellents are the Eucalyptus globulus and the Eucalyptus citriodora, otherwise known as lemon eucalyptus oil, which contains eucamol and p-menthane-3,8-diol, that according to some researches, is more effective than DEET or N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, commonly used in insect repellents. Olive oil is also a natural mosquito repellent oil mostly used in combination with the eucalyptus oil for an added strength.

    Here's a good homemade recipe for mosquito repellent spray using eucalyptus oil and olive oil.

    • Mix 15 to 30 drops eucalyptus oil and two tablespoons of olive oil into a bowl and pour the solution into a spray bottle.

    To sum it up, eucalyptus oil mixed in olive oil makes a good mosquito spray due to their natural insect repellent properties.

    Can I use a 3 pin electric vaporizer with mosquito repellent?

    Yeah, that is also possible. However, if the mosquitoes tend to be in the lower portion of your house, let's say under the couch or tables, an electric vaporizer may not be able to reach those areas as warm air tends to go up instead of down. It may be able to address mosquitoes in the air, but not those under the seats. In fact, if you use this vaporizer, it may even force the mosquitoes to hide underneath and you will notice that there seem to be more mosquitoes biting your legs.

    Yeast and sugar as an insect repellant?

    It is true that you can make a do-it-yourself insect repellent using yeast and sugar. This repellent is ideally made for combating mosquitoes. It is effective in reducing a swarm of mosquitoes as well as group of gnats in your area. Below are the things you need, and the instructions:

    Materials

    • Empty/clean 2-liter plastic soda bottle
    • Electrical tape
    • A candy thermometer
    • Black paper
    • A sharp knife
    • A pan

    Preparation

    • Cut the top off the bottle where it begins to narrow.
    • Invert and place the top inside the lower half bottle. (like a funnel) Set aside for later use.

    Ingredients

    • 1 tsp. of active dry yeast
    • 2 cups of cool water
    • 1 cup of lukewarm water
    • 1 cup of sugar

    Method

    • Bring 1 cup of lukewarm water to a boil.
    • Add the sugar until it dissolves.
    • Turn off the heat and pour 2 cups of cool water into the pan.
    • Check the water's temperature. Make sure it is no hotter than 90 degrees F.
    • Add 1 tsp. of active dry yeast into it. No need to mix.
    • Pour the mixture into the lower half of the bottle through the 'funnel'.
    • Seal the connected bottle using electric tape.
    • Wrap the bottle with black paper. Mosquitoes love to reside in dark places. The black wrapper will attract the mosquitoes.
    • Finished!

    Technically, the word "repel" means "to keep away" or "to ward off" and insect repellents are purposely made to ward off insects.

    Regarding your question, yeast and sugar as insect repellent ingredients are not actually good ingredients for an insect repellent, because they actually works to draw the insects to them, which is contrary to the word "repel".

    If you apply the mixture on your skin, you will only drawing in more insects to you, especially mosquitoes instead. Mosquitoes are actually attracted to the carbon dioxide gas that our body emits.

    Yeast, combined with sugar and water will produce the similar gas (carbon dioxide) which attracts mosquitoes. Moreover, yeast and sugar are commonly used in mosquito traps because of their effectiveness in drawing the insects to the trap, which is why you'd never want to put that on your skin.

    • The materials used in mosquito traps are water (1 cup), yeast (1 gram), brown sugar (1/4 cup) and large plastic bottle.
    • To make the trap, cut the large plastic bottle in half, mix all the ingredients and pour the mixture inside. Put the upper half in an inverted position forming a funnel, wrap the bottle with dark material then put it outside or to mosquito prone places.
      DIY Mosquito trap.png

    To sum it up, the sugar and yeast are not effective in repelling insects, but rather, they are effective in attracting insects to the trap where they will die. This is especially effective on mosquitoes.

    How can I use clove and pennyroyal oil mixed with alcohol to kill dust mites?

    Pennyroyal oil is one of the most effective essential oils as an insect repellent. It also works really well to kill dust mites and ticks. To make an anti-dust mite solution, mix 2 tablespoons of clove oil with 3 tablespoons of pennyroyal oil. Mix them with 5 tablespoons of scented alcohol and spray the mixture on your carpets, bed sheets, pillowcases and other linens to prevent these bugs from dwelling in these areas. You can also mix a teaspoon of eucalyptus oil with 2 teaspoons of pennyroyal oil and add a few drops to your load of laundry. This should keep dust mites away from your laundry and linens.

    Its best not to use anything liquid when killing dust mites. You should look into some kind of powder or spray to avoid causing any unnecessary damage to the mattress. Now when cleaning bedding and other washable things, you can add eucalyptus oil to your liquid detergent in the washing machine. Just use about 5 teaspoons of eucalyptus oil, and the recommended amount of your preferred detergent for the load size.

    How to make homemade bed bug spray with apple cider vinegar and alcohol?

    Apple cider vinegar has more uses than you may think. Aside from being used in our recipes, it can also be used as a natural repellent for bed bugs. Bed bugs don't like the smell of vinegar because it suffocates them. To make your own bed bug repellent, mix 5 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar) with 5 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and spray the mixture on your mattress. Repeat the process if necessary until you are able to completely get rid of the bed bugs.

    Use these recipes for your insect repellent:

    Repellent 1

    You will need:

    • 1 32-ounce bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar
    • 2 tsp each of the following: dried Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Mint -*a *a quart size glass jar with airtight lid

    Procedure:

    • mix vinegar and dried herbs in a big jar
    • seal it tight and store
    • shake the jar everyday for 2-3 weeks
    • strain the herbs and store in a spray bottle (dilute with half of water) and keep in fridge
    • use

    NOTE: The concoction is very strong and can smell strong too

    Repellent 2

    You will need:

    • 1 cup of Distilled water
    • rubbing alcohol
    • dried herbs (any of the following: peppermint, spearmint, citronella, lemongrass, catnip, lavender)

    Procedure:

    • boil 1 cup of water
    • add 3-4 tbsp of dried herbs
    • mix well and cover
    • turn off heat and let cool with cover
    • strain out the herbs
    • mix water with 1 cup of rubbing alcohol
    • store in a spray bottle in a cool place (fridge)

    How do I kill mosquitoes at home with home made recipes?

    There are so many mosquitoes at home. I want to make some liquid at home which I can spray inside the house all over to get rid of these mosquitoes.

    A spray probably won't help too much. A better option would be to make yourself a mosquito trap, which will attract and trap mosquitoes, killing them.

    Here's a quick and easy way to make a mosquito trap.

    • Take a 1-2 liter plastic bottle and cut it in half.
    • Mix 1/4 cup of sugar with about a cup of hot water in the bottom half of the bottle.
    • Add 1 gram of yeast.
    • Place the top part of the bottle upside down and inside the bottom part.
    • Using black hockey tape, tape the parts together and then cover the bottle. You can also use anything else black to cover the bottle.
    • Place the trap somewhere outside, ideally away from where you normally spend time.
    • Replace the solution at least every two weeks for best results.

    What percentage of ingredients should you use to prepare herbal homemade mosquito vaporizer?

    If I use ethyl alcohol as a base material and add essential oils (citronella, lavender eucalyptus, etc., and use A.P.V. as a emulsifier (help to blend well), may I use that solution in a spray bottle? Will essential oils be lost in the heat? So, what kind of material are used to prepare herbal mosquito spray repellent?

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    What are the examples of eucalyptus oils?

    I need to make a mosquito repellent for my project. It must be easy to make, so how can I do this?

    Mosquitoes and other bugs don't like the smell of certain herbs and eucalyptus is one of them. To make a repellent follow the recipe bellow.

    You'll need:

    • Eucalyptus Essential oil
    • Natural Witch Hazel
    • Distilled or boiled Water
    • Vegetable glycerin (optional)

    How to Make Homemade Bug Spray:

    • Fill spray bottle halfway with the water
    • Add witch hazel to almost fill the bottle - just leave enough room for the remaining ingredients.
    • Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin if you've chosen to use it.
    • Add 30-50 drops of essential oil. The more oil used increases the spray's strength.

    I watched the local Phoenix channel 3 news. Dave the Garden Guy segment featured a natural way to kill mosquitoes with citrus de-greaser made by ZEP? I didn't get the dilution ratio.

    I want to get rid of mosquitoes naturally in the yard.

    Here is a recipe that was found.

    In one gallon of water add:

    • 2 oz. of orange oil (homemade or the same amount of ZEP's Citrus De-greaser)
    • 1/3 Cup of molasses
    • 1/3 Cup of liquid humic

    Recipe was found here. The de-greaser seems to be used interchangeably with orange oil. Hope it is what you were looking for.

    What is the procedure and the materials used to make a fly repellent using bay leaf?

    Are the materials expensive?

    Making your own repellent can be more economical than buying chemical versions. For a bay leaf repellent you just need to have a bay plant, or if you are in an area where they don't grow, dried bay leaves will work. Apparently flies hate the smell and will avoid the area.

    Is there a way to keep deer flies from biting me when I am mowing?

    What can I make at home to spray on myself?

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    How can I stop my basil, plants from being eaten?

    My husband sprays them with a herbicide soap he makes. I look under every leaf for caterpillars, but I don't see any.

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    Can you tell me about the side effects of deltamethrin?

    I want to know about deltamethrin side effects. I have tried: Yes. I think it was caused by: I will tell you latter

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    If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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