Easy DIY Mosquito Repellent With Vinegar & Essential Oils

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You can easily make a homemade mosquito repellent with vinegar & essential oils, which will keep away those annoying bloodsuckers.

Let’s take a quick look at the ingredients you will need, and then a super quick, simple guide on how to make the DIY mosquito repellent.

In the end, you can find some additional tips.

Ingredients needed

Essential oils

Essential oils work as an effective mosquito repellent. The only difference is that they just last a shorter time than DEET and other toxic options. So, you will have to reapply the spray more often. Some of the best ones to use:

• Peppermint essential oil: High concentrations of peppermint oil repel mosquitoes and prevent bites when used at 5% or 10%. You can get peppermint essential oil here.
• Clove oil: Very effective mosquito repellent and provides 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 h of protection, depending on oil concentration. In another study, clove oil displayed the longest duration of 100% repellency, lasting between 2 and 4 hours, against three different mosquito species. Get clove essential oil here.
• Lemon eucalyptus oil: Provides more than 95% protection against mosquitoes for 3 hours. Get the essential oil here.
• Citronella: Another fantastic option that successfully keeps mosquitoes at a distance. It is recommended to be reapplied every 20-30 minutes to provide efficient long-lasting protection. Get a therapeutic & safe for your skin citronella essential oil here.
• Lemongrass: In a 2011 study, it was found that the strong scent of lemongrass oil had a significant impact on a particular range of mosquito species. Get your lemongrass essential oil here.

Other essential oils you can try that offer long-lasting repellency against different mosquito species include:

• Lavender
• Jasmine
• Eucalyptus
• Cedarwood
• Chamomile
• Rosemary
• Sandalwood

(You can find essential oil combinations that are good mosquito repellents below!)

White vinegar 

I couldn’t find any scientific research that proves the efficiency of vinegar as a mosquito repellent.  However, vinegar contains acetic acid that exhibits potential repellent properties. 

Mosquitoes are sensitive to specific scents, and the strong, pungent odor of vinegar can mask the attractant scents emitted by humans.

Therefore, it can reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes detecting and biting you. Moreover, vinegar can alter the pH of your skin, making it less attractive to mosquitoes.

For this DIY recipe, I prefer to use white vinegar, since it has a milder scent compared to apple cider vinegar. But you can also use apple cider vinegar – it will work just as well. 

Rose water

Rose water is optional, but I prefer to use it since it helps reduce the acidity in the overall smell. You can also use witch hazel if it’s easier to find. 

DIY mosquito repellent with vinegar (recipe)

• 2 tbsp rose water (30ml)
• 2 tbsp filtered water (30ml)
• 2 tbsp white vinegar (30ml)
• 30 drops of essential oil of your choice: I used lemongrass & eucalyptus.
• A small spray bottle (100ml or ~3 oz)

How to make it 

1. In a bowl, add 2 tbsp of rose water, 2 tbsp of filtered water, and 2 tbsp of white vinegar.
2. Then, add 15 drops of lemongrass and 15 drops of eucalyptus essential oil (or a blend of the other two essential oils of your choice).
3. Transfer the mixture to a small spray bottle (you can reuse one; I used my old rose water bottle).

Safety

While vinegar is generally safe for skin application, it may cause skin dryness or irritation. If you experience any discomfort, dilute the vinegar further or stop using it on your skin. However, DEET can also cause adverse effects, such as skin irritation, redness, a rash, or some more serious ones, like seizures, agitation, or low blood pressure.

Similar to vinegar, essential oils can be potent and may cause skin irritation, redness, itching, or even trigger an allergic reaction in people with very gentle or sensitive skin. If that’s the case with you, consider using lower concentrations to perform a patch test.

To perform a patch test: Pick a small area of your body, like the inside of your forearm. Gently apply a small amount of the mixture. Allow it to sit on your skin for 12-24 hours. After that, see if you experience any redness, itching, swelling, or irritation. If you experience any adverse reactions, it’s best to avoid using homemade mosquito repellent. 

How to use it & how often

Since the mosquito repellent with vinegar is natural, it lasts for a shorter time once you apply it to your skin. Reapply the spray every 30 or so minutes when you are outside, or as often as needed. Shake well before using the mosquito repellent. 

Putting it to the test

I’m lucky because mosquitoes don’t like me too much. But since I wanted to test the homemade mosquito repellent with vinegar, I used it and also gave it to some of my family members who usually get bitten.

After a few days of using it, they were super happy with the DIY mosquito repellent. They didn’t get any bites when they reapplied it every ~30 minutes. 

Best essential oil combinations for your homemade mosquito repellent spray:

• Clove oil + Thyme oil – A particularly effective combination, offering 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 h protection. 
• Clove oil + Geranium – A great choice offering the same amount of protection as the previous one.
• Lemongrass + Cinnamon bark – Another combination offering a strong repellency towards mosquitoes. 

Pros & cons

Pros

• Natural & safe: To make the DIY mosquito repellent, you will need only natural ingredients, which are a much better chemical-free alternative.
• Easy & cost-effective: Making your mosquito repellent with vinegar and essential oils is super easy and also cheap, compared to purchasing commercial repellents. The ingredients you will need are readily available and affordable. 
• Customization: You can make the DIY repellents allow you to customize the scent and potency according to your preferences.  
• Versatility: The ingredients for the DIY mosquito repellent provide broader protection and help repel not only mosquitoes but also other insects like flies and gnats. 

Cons: 

• Limited scientific evidence: While vinegar is commonly used in homemade mosquito repellents, studies on the effectiveness of vinegar are limited.  
• Shorter duration: DIY repellents made with vinegar and essential oils may have a shorter duration of effectiveness.
• Skin sensitivity: Some individuals may be sensitive to essential oils, and direct application on the skin can cause irritation or allergic reactions.  
• Variable effectiveness: The effectiveness of DIY vinegar and essential oil repellents can vary depending on factors such as individual body chemistry, environmental conditions, and mosquito species. 

Other smells that mosquitoes hate

It’s not the scent of a repellent that keeps the mosquitoes away, but the chemicals of certain natural repellents. 

They mess up the receptors and neurons of the mosquitoes so that they can’t smell and perceive your scent.

Some of the smells that mosquitoes hate include basil, lime basil, thyme, lemon eucalyptus, coriander, lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus, catnip, and more.

Tips, troubleshoot & precautions

• High-quality essential oil – Use high-quality essential oils from reputable sources to ensure potency and effectiveness!
• Experiment – If your DIY spray is not effectively repelling mosquitoes, try adjusting the concentration of essential oils and experimenting with the oil combination to find the best match for your skin.
• Shake it before using – Some essential oils may separate from the vinegar base over time. Remember to shake the spray bottle well before each use to ensure the oils are evenly distributed. 
• Effectiveness – Herbal mosquito repellents are effective in general, but of course, less effective than DEET and other synthetic and more toxic options. (1,2). That’s why it is important to remember to reapply the spray whenever you see it’s necessary.  
• Store it safely – Keep the DIY mosquito repellent spray in a dark, cool place to help maintain its potency. Avoid spraying the repellent directly onto the face, eyes, or open wounds. Lastly, keep the DIY spray out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse.

Other natural mosquito repellents

• Mosquito repellent incense sticks – Made a mix of essential oils including citronella, peppermint, lemongrass, and rosemary. It is a DEET-free and safe option for kids and pets. Each stick will give you 40-50 minutes of protection from mosquitoes and bug bites.
• Mosquito repellent cotton balls – Made from natural, plant-based ingredients such as citronella, lemongrass, and lavender. Just place them in the area you sit and watch how they successfully repel the little blood suckers! Each ball is effective for up to 60 days.
• Fabulous Frannie bug away blend – It contains a 100% pure, undiluted therapeutic-grade blend with mosquito-repelling essential oils. It comes with a ready-to-use roll-on applicator.
• doTERRA Outdoor blend – Made with a powerful blend that effectively keeps mosquitoes away
• Fan – Having a fan in your outdoor area will blow away the mosquitoes and prevent getting bitten. 

Final thoughts

By combining vinegar with the essential oils of your choice, you can create a DIY mosquito repellent with vinegar that is natural, cost-effective, and can be adjusted to suit your preferences. 

It works for most people, but it may be less effective for others, so if that’s the case with you, try to adjust the concentration and combination of essential oils.

Let me know in the comments below if you will try this DIY mosquito repellent and what essential oil combinations you will try!