DIY Natural Mosquito Repellent Spray: Safe & Effective Recipes

According to the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Infectious Diseases, mosquitoes transmit a number of harmful illnesses, such as malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever and dengue fever. Many commercially manufactured mosquito repellents contain the chemical DEET. However, if you want to keep the bugs at bay without synthetic ingredients, you can create your own spray-on version at home with some commonly found ingredients.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup citronella leaves
• 1/4 cup rosemary
• 1/4 cup peppermint leaves
• 1/4 cup cloves
• Food processor
• Strainer
• Plastic spray bottle

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Instructions

• 1

  Boil water and put the leaves and herbs in a food processor. Be sure that the plants are chopped finely, like tea leaves. Chopping the leaves releases essential oils, which repel mosquitoes.

• 2

  Add the boiling water to the food processor and allow the plants to steep for several minutes.

• 3

  Strain the plants from the water once it has cooled sufficiently. Refrigerate until you are ready to use the mixture.

• 4

  Pour the liquid into a plastic spray bottle. Apply liberally and often.