Repel Mosquitoes Naturally With A Little-Known Essential Oil Trick

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Warmer weather often lends itself to a nasty little intruder in your yard and home: the mosquito. Swatting and treating those itchy bug bites may be part of your routine, which makes the season less enjoyable. On top of that, using chemical sprays can harm other welcome pollinators like bees and butterflies and irritate your skin or pets. There are many known essential oils you can use to keep various pests at bay. A little-known essential oil out there works to repel mosquitoes and leaves your skin and backyard smelling good. Do yourself a favor this season and keep those pesky mosquitoes away naturally and effectively with a sandalwood essential oil-based repellent.

Sandalwood oil comes from trees in India, the Malay Archipelago, and northern Australia. It has many benefits, including antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also incredibly effective at repelling flying pests, especially mosquitoes. You can buy the sandalwood repellents in stick form, like these New Mountain Unpackaged Sandalwood Mosquito Sticks from Biome, to burn outdoors, or make your own handy repellent with only a few simple items. You can also pair the oil with other household staples that repel mosquitoes.

Another option is to buy plain sandalwood oil online, like this Rainbow Abby Pure Natural Aroma Sandalwood Oil. Be sure you look for authentic and genuine essential oils, not a carrier or a fragrance oil, since they aren't derived from the plants and often use synthetics or fillers. These oils won't be effective on mosquitoes.

You can make a homemade spray to use for multiple applications with a glass spray bottle (approximately 8 ounces in size). Just add in about 2 ounces of distilled water, 4 ounces of witch hazel, and 30 drops of your sandalwood oil. That's it! You'll have a safe, natural, and pleasant-smelling way to stay bite-free. Keep in mind, your glass bottle should be a dark amber color if possible. The UV rays can ruin the oil if the glass is too transparent, since it allows the light to get through. This changes the effectiveness of the oil in your bug spray.

For an easy one-time use mosquito repellent, mix a few drops of the sandalwood oil with another carrier oil like coconut oil, and apply it to your skin. If you don't want to put it directly on your skin, consider getting a sandalwood scented candle, or add your sandalwood oil into this Artnaturals Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser. If you're not a fan of the woodsy smell, you can mix other essential oils in your homemade spray that repel mosquitoes, such as citronella or lemongrass oil. 

To take extra steps to repel mosquitoes in your outdoor space, go beyond a homemade bug spray. For example, there are mosquito repellent plants that actually work, which you might consider adding. It is also helpful to remove any standing or stagnant water, install extra fans, and clean your garden and seating areas outdoors to keep mosquitoes at bay.