by Sandi Crain

Created on: July 09, 2011   Last Updated: July 12, 2011

Everyday, more people are beginning to think about the dangers of manmade chemicals on the environment.  And, this time of year, that means more people are looking for safer and more natural ways of repelling mosquitos.  Ideally, the outdoor living area will have well-placed, well-established plants and herbs that repel insects.  These are lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, thyme, peppermint, catnip, and old-fashioned roses   But creating the perfect insect repellent garden takes at least two years in an ideal climate.  Fortunately, it's not that difficult to make a natural repellent at home with essential oils-concentrated oils from a medicinal or fragrant plant. 

Although essential oils are extracted from plants it doesn't mean they can be handled without care.  Highly concentrated, certain oils may cause skin irritations in some people.   It's smart to put a small drop on the back of the hand before using any oil in higher quantities.  Just like one would skin test a hair perm or dye, skin testing essential oils is just a smart thing to do.

Essential oils should also be diluted.  For making a mosquito repellent, using an unscented vegetable or mineral oil as a base works well and is also inexpensive.  Mineral oil, the base oil in scented baby oils, lays on top of the skin and repels water fairly well.  Vegetable oils like olive and corn oil soak into the skin easily and make a good skin moisturizer.  Either oil is a sufficient base for mosquito repellent. 

Another thing to consider is the amount of pesticide residue in the essential oil.  It may take a little time to find an organic essential oil supplier but they're much more common than they use to be.  Choosing organic oils also helps organic farmers remain competitive in today's market. 

Now it's just a matter of choosing the oils that work best for the individual.  Repelling any insect is an act of chemistry-the chemistry of the insect, the chemistry of the plant, and the chemistry of the person.  There are approximately 3,500 types of mosquitoes.  The plant that repels one mosquito may not repel another.  In fact, a scent that repels one may actually attract another.  This is why the chemistry of the person also needs to be taken into account.  Usually, a person who eats a lot of Indian, Thai, or Italian food is the least likely to attract a mosquito.  Pungent herbs and spices like garlic, onions, chiles, and rosemary in the body will help keep many insects away.  A person who eats a lot of sweet fruits like papaya, mangoes, figs, and dates will be a mosquito magnet.  If this is the case, adding garlic oil to the mosquito repellent oils might make all the difference in the world. 

The mosquito repellent oils are:

Castor oil

Catnip oil

Cedar oil

Citronella oil

Fennel oil

Lemongrass oil

Peppermint oil

Rosemary oil

Thyme oil

Adding 10-15 drops to an ounce of mineral or vegetable oil should be sufficient.  If, after doing a skin test, it irritates the skin try adding another ounce of base oil then skin test again.  Mixing essential oils is fine but try not to make a sweet smelling perfume.  This will only backfire.  So, adding cedar to citronella is better than citronella alone.  Peppermint and lemongrass is better than lemongrass alone.  The trick is to not be afraid to experiment.  Creating an individual mosquito repellent can be fun and, once found, a big relief.  Just remember not to eat it.

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