This is the best homemade mosquito repellent solution we’ve tried
Make this Simple Homemade Mosquito Repellent using Stuff from the Recycling Bin!
This homemade mosquito repellent is perfect for the yard or patio
Materials
First, you’ll need to collect a few things from around the house for this Mosquito Repellent DIY:
- A piece of wire (8-12″ long) it may get hot so nothing plastic or paper, use actual wire or maybe a coat hanger.
- A larger tin can (I used a can from spaghetti sauce)
- A drill and small drill bit (you can also use a hammer and nail)
- Some cardboard drink holders like the ones from the fast-food drive-thru
Making a Mosquito Repeller aka Do it Yourself Mosquito Trap
To start, drill a couple of holes near the top of your tin. These holes will be used to attach the wire to hang or handle your mosquito repeller.
*Hint, smaller drill bits drill through metal easier, but be careful it will move around a bit. In a pinch, you can also use a hammer and nail. Put a piece of wood in the container to hammer into, so you don’t crush the tin.
Next up, we’re going to drill a bunch of holes in the tin to help the airflow, and help spread the smoke around better.
After drilling all those little holes, attach the wire to the top of the tin can.
I also drilled a hole in the middle of the lid. This part is totally optional, but I figured I’d give it a try anyway.
Using your DIY Outdoor Mosquito Repellent
Boom, you’re pretty much done with this Mosquito Repellent DIY project. You can see I pulled the wire through the hole in the top of my tin to act as a damper. I can flip it up to let more air in and make more smoke, but it will burn faster.
The wire handle lets you pick it up without burning your hand, and can also be used to hang it up
Here is our Mosquito Repellent hanging from our newly restored Patio Umbrella. If you missed that DIY, check out how to make your old and faded patio umbrella look new.
Hope you loved this Mosquito Killing hack. Well, it doesn’t actually kill them, but they don’t kill the vibe with this bad boy!! haahah
If you’re not up to the DIY, I’ve heard amazing things about these Thermacell Mosquito Repellers
If you have a large area to protect, there are a couple of other options.
Dynatrap makes electric Mosquito traps that cover up to 1 acre of land. The Mosquito Magnet also covers up to an acre and claims to reduce the overall population of mosquitos over 4 weeks.
This company has pest control products for pretty much any insect or critter you have a problem with too. This page will take you to the “pest selector” from there you’re on your way to a bug-killing bonanza of products.
Mosquito Repellent FAQ
What plants keep mosquitos away?
Lavender, Mint and Citronella are all known to repel some bugs. The combination of Lavender and Mint in the same container is also effective. Place them somewhere that they will move in the breeze to spread that mosquito-repelling goodness around. HGTV has a great list of 20 plants that Mosquitoes hate.
What can be used as an alternative to bug spray for mosquitoes?
Bug repellent usually contains DEET. That’s the stuff mosquitos hate. They also hate citronella, mint, lavender, and probably a bunch of other oils that can be used on the skin to repel mosquitos. Citronella patches are also readily available. In addition to these natural applications, burning candles, or using a mosquito coil or repeller like the one in this post will further reduce the mosquitos around you.
Can you use Candles for Mosquito Repellent?
Candles will repel mosquitos, although there are exceptions and better options. Citronella candles are designed for exactly this. Birthday candles probably won’t do a thing.
According to Pest.org, these are their best candles for mosquitos.
What to use if you don’t have Mosquito Repellent?
Smoke is a great alternative to mosquito repellent when you’re in a jam. Burning recycled cardboard, damp paper towels, dried herbs like sage, basically anything that smoulders as opposed to flaming up works great. The smoke spreads through the air around you and keeps that area bug-free.
What can I use as a natural mosquito repellent?
Smoke, Candles, and certain plants, there are lots of natural ingredients you can use for your own DIY mosquito repellent. Healthline lists 10 ingredients and DIY instructions for each here.
Do homemade mosquito traps work?
We have been using our do it yourself mosquito trap/repeller for a few months and YES!! it is working great. Much fewer mosquitos when it is in use.