I Stopped Using Chemical Mosquito Sprays—and Here’s What Actually Worked

I used to buy those big-name mosquito sprays thinking they were the only way to keep bugs off me and my kids. But every time I sprayed them, I’d feel uneasy—itchy eyes, sticky skin, and that chemical smell that lingered way too long. A friend casually mentioned natural alternatives, and honestly, I was skeptical. But after one summer night on the porch where citronella candles did a better job than my usual spray, I started looking deeper.

Turns out, there are a bunch of home remedies people have been using forever. One of the most useful resources I found was this guide from Ask Ayurveda (https://ask-ayurveda.com/articles/1301-how-to-make-mosquito-repellent-at-home-natural-ways-to-keep-mosquitoes-away). It broke down all the ingredients and methods—from neem oil and clove sprays to lemon-eucalyptus mixes that are actually pleasant to use. What I loved is how simple most of them are. Nothing fancy. Just ingredients like coconut oil, basil leaves, and essential oils.

I also found out that mosquito-repelling candles aren’t just cute Pinterest crafts—they work. Seriously, check out this cool DIY on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/895934919626058966. You just need a few herbs, citrus slices, and floating candles. It’s now part of my backyard setup.

But it’s not just me. I came across a reel on Instagram that made me feel totally seen: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMu9FNFMuO0/. The creator showed how she mixes clove oil and coconut oil before heading outside—and people in the comments swear by it.

The more I looked, the more I realized others were on the same journey. Like this post on Threads that said making your own repellent is “taking control of your space” — and that hit home for me: https://www.threads.com/@askayurveda_24/post/DMu9FgG0x_a. There's also a heartfelt conversation happening on Facebook (https://facebook.com/109157008010513_1069685151978122) about how neem oil has helped families with small kids. It’s not just a natural choice—it’s a safer one.

Then there’s this tweet I bookmarked from someone comparing essential oil blends to commercial sprays: https://x.com/1857364984759541760/status/1950549505440411713. They said natural oils, when used right, hold their own against DEET-based stuff. I found the same in my experience.

And this LinkedIn post really hit the point: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ask-ayurveda_mosquitoes-dont-care-about-brand-labels-activity-7356315268421242882-FjP-? It said mosquitoes don’t care about your brand labels. They care about what’s in your mix. I think we all need that reminder sometimes.

Honestly, switching to natural repellents has made me feel more connected to what I’m using on my skin and around my home. Plus, I’ve saved money and cut down on unnecessary chemicals.

So now I’m wondering—have you tried making your own mosquito repellent before? What worked (or didn’t) for you? Let’s swap stories.