Readers Respond: Natural Mosquito Repellents That Work

Responses: 37

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I Have tried this , spraying it full strength on my dogs bed at night. It definately helps reduce the number of mozzies but not all of them. My dog doesnt mind the smell, I used the regular brand listerine. However my friend sprayed her back yard area with the mint listerine and she said it attracted a lot of ants, so she advises againt the sweeter style listerine.
—Guest fastpurpleharley

Check out Buzz Off at www.godscountrybotanicals.com. They blend about 10 different essential oils together for an effective insect repellent. Smells really good with the cedar and lemon eucalyptus. You can't buy all those oils for the price they sell it for.
—jharpe

I'm such a mosquito magnet (also black biting flies) that my kids say "Throw Momma off the deck!" In a short trip outside today, I got 4 bites, my husband got none. My skin temp is cooler than most; it's not the time of the month (I'm past that). Oddly I think I'm totally immune to poison ivy--may never have had it. Connection?
—Guest Ellen

I've found that taking excessive amounts of Vitamin C for a few days before going camping keeps mosquitos and bugs in general away from me. Being water soluble, Vitamin C won't accumulate in the body, but instead will be excreted in sweat. Bugs hate it! NOTE: If you experience diarrhea you're taking too much.
—Guest drdulttl

Ok so if you buy lemon eucalyptus as a liquid incense it is far more cheaper than buying the oil, as you can dilute the incense in baby oil or mix it with body lotion & apply. And this way it is cheaper and probably better for your skin as with the oil it wasn't really designed for the skin but for oil burners. As well another good technique if you have a baby is to just spray a little on their teddy/doll or something they sleep with. And yes lemon eucalyptus does work (personal experience).
—Guest kandii

Why go to the trouble (and experience dissappointment) to make your own when you can let someone else do the work? I get Dakota Free's Outdoor Gel from www.dakotafree.com. It is Gluten free, perfume free, pesticide free, citronella free and DEET free. Works great and is safe!
—Guest gjjknopp

I hear that spraying oneself and area with the reg. listerine helps get rid of mosquitoes. I hope this helps.
—Guest audrey

When using any essential oil, mix a small amount first and test it on your wrist. If you have a bad reaction, don't use it! The only oil I have issues with is Lemon. Cinnamon Oil has been a favorite of mine for other uses, so will be trying it as a mosquito repellent tonight. I'm guessing the camphor and eucalyptus in Vicks is what does the trick against mosquitos.
—Everythingherbal

I live in Northern California. We have mosquitoes. I spend a lot of time in the woods and attract the little buggers like crazy. I have found Regular Listerine( buy the cheaper generic brands ) and even clothing softener sheets work very well . I see where the mouth wash contains eucalyptus oil and I prefer it to the sheets . I just use it undiluted in a spray bottle..Apply it every couple of hours.
—Guest Jim

I make soy wax candles and have been wanting to make a "Be Gone Bug" one, esp living in the Southeast! I'll let ya know how it turns out...
—Guest Heather Jernigan

I like the idea of making my own insect repellent but I don’t always have the time (or all the ingredients) to do so. I did some research and learned that Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) is the only plant based product recommended by the EPA and CDC for use as an insect repellent. (Check out http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm if your interested in what they have to say) OLE is proven to work as well as DEET without the harmful effects. If anyone is interested in trying it, Cutter and Repel both make an OLE product
—Guest Ashley

I've found Vicks very useful as the mosquito repellent. What's the annoying chemical in it for mosquitoes? For other insects such as house flies, I found mint leaves dipped in a bowl of water are very effective.
—Guest irfana aamir

I have used Avon's repellent also, but I discovered if I get some mosquito fish and put them in water around the outside or see standing water and dump it out it helps keep them down. I know some parts of our country are just mosquito prone. I wish everyone could get some fish that eat this kind of pest.
—Guest Anna Elizabeth Wooten

I found that if I apply Vicks on a few places on my legs, arms and forehead I have no problem the whole night.
—Guest AK4Services