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The sun is shining, temperatures are rising, finally relaxing in the garden or on the balcony again – but there is a small catch: the mosquitoes during those relaxing hours. They are annoying, never alone, and leave itchy, painful, and swollen bites. There are some remedies that are supposed to protect against them – from "bite-free sprays" to insect repellents for clothing. But to protect yourself, you don't always have to use chemicals! You're wondering what the suitable alternative would be? Clearly, pure essential oils are perfect for making your own mosquito spray. For this spray, you only need three ingredients:
- Alcohol (min. 38% vol.)
- Distilled or boiled water
- Pure essential oils
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Why use essential oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances derived from various parts of a plant, such as the leaves, bark, or roots. An anti-mosquito spray with essential oils is a more natural method of insect repellent than spraying chemical repellents – for both humans and insects. The term "essential" means something like fragrant, transparent, and fine. In addition to the well-known positive effects on body and mind, the scent of the oils can also become a helper. They mask body odor and help keep mosquitoes away. To ensure that the essential oils you buy are truly a natural product, you should pay attention to some statements on the label:
- The German and Latin name of the oil
- The Latin designation of the ingredients
- The ingredients should contain neither alcohols nor aldehydes. This indicates synthetic or diluted oils.
- The formulation: "100% pure essential oil"
- The method of extraction of the oil
- The fill quantity in ml
- Minimum shelf life
Which essential oils help protect against mosquitoes?
There are numerous articles and theories on the internet about which scents attract mosquitoes. However, it is clearer which scents repel mosquitoes. Various essential oils can help you get rid of the pesky little bloodsuckers on warm summer evenings due to their scents. These essential oils include:
The mentioned essential oils have in common that their scent is very strong and is usually defined as spicy or herbal. A combination of several strong scents is more effective than one oil alone, as not every scent works equally well for every person.
Make your own mosquito spray in just 3 steps
When making the DIY mosquito spray, you should use a 100ml spray bottle, as it is small, handy, and perfect for on the go.
- 4 tablespoons of alcohol (e.g., pure alcohol)
- 5-10 drops of the pure essential oil of your choice
- Fill the bottle with water
Additionally, you can add 1-2 drops of lavender oil to the spray bottle. Lavender oil also has antiseptic properties after an insect bite, cools, and soothes the skin. Shake the bottle well before each use! Note: The effectiveness of pure essential oils is limited, so repeated application is necessary to achieve the best possible effect.
Tip: During the summer days, avoid heavily perfumed shower gels and body lotions, as these can also attract mosquitoes. Make your own mosquito spray – simply explained in our video.
Important note / disclaimer: We as pharmacists share our pharmaceutical expertise and naturopathic experience in the Casida guide. An individual diagnosis and consultation is additionally necessary in every case. Therefore, this offer cannot replace medical advice. The offer is not intended for the treatment, healing, or prevention of diseases. It is not a substitute for medications or other treatments prescribed by a doctor.
