A DIY natural mosquito repellent made from vanilla is all you need this summer to ward off unwanted mosquitos. Try this recipe for an easy and natural method that is non-sticky and surprisingly fragrant.
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Summer is not far off and that means here in the Midwest that lots of mosquitos are on their way. One thing about living here in Missouri is that we have hot, humid summers full of bugs, especially mosquitos.
Believe me, they’re enough to keep me from wanting to go outside even to tend to my beloved garden.
I despise mosquitos, and now that I have a baby you better believe I’ve been looking for natural remedies to keep them away from us.
Personally, I prefer natural ways to repel bugs. I don’t like adding extra things to my skin that can irritate it. Since babies have especially sensitive skin, it’s best to play it safe and only use non-toxic, natural ingredients that aren’t bad for the skin microbiome.
Store-bought brands often have numerous ingredients that have been known to be carcinogenic when used frequently in high doses. They’re also really bad for the environment. Natural versions with cleaner ingredient lists are expensive and run out so quickly in their measly 4 ounce bottles.
I am not at all excited about either of those options. That’s why I prefer to just whip up a quick batch of repellent myself.
Today, I’ll be showing you just how I make this easy DIY natural mosquito repellent that works every time. I’ve already started using it to test its effectiveness and I’m pretty impressed!
DIY Natural Mosquito Repellent
Benefits of a Natural DIY Mosquito Spray
- Affordable
- Quick and easy to make
- No toxic chemicals that harm health or the environment
Do I need to reapply this mosquito repellent often?
You should not need to reapply it frequently. It can last an entire day, but this depends entirely on whether you encounter rain or sweat a lot of it off. It is safe to reapply as often as needed due to the natural ingredients it contains.
What other scents repel mosquitos and other bugs?
- Peppermint
- Basil
- Vinegar
- Citronella
- Eucalyptus
Supplies | diy natural mosquito repellent
1 1/2 cups water
2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp cloves, optional
16 oz. spray bottle
Small funnel
Liquid measuring cup
How to Make DIY Natural Mosquito Repellent
1. Start by adding water to a spray bottle using a funnel.
2. Slowly pour in the vanilla extract.
3. Shake the bottle vigorously until well combined and allow this to steep overnight or longer before using.
4. To apply to skin, shake first and then spray all over the body.
5. Store bottle in a cool, dry place.
Tips for Success | diy natural mosquito repellent
Be sure to use pure vanilla extract, not imitation. Imitation extracts can have sugars in them that actually attract mosquitos and other insects.
Always shake the bottle before each use to ensure you’re getting enough vanilla on your skin. Separation can occur.
I recommend using a glass spray bottle like this one HERE because it doesn’t leach plastic chemicals into the liquids stored in it.
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