The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Geraniol
Posted by Staff (Earth Clinic) on 08/24/2012
Geraniol is the essential oil extract from a number of plants including geraniums, roses, lemon grass, bergamot, and even carrots. It is an effective if somewhat expensive commercially available alternative to chemical mosquito repellents. Geraniol has a rose-like scent, and studies are beginning to find that it is the most effective natural mosquito control option.
High Dose B1 (Thiamine)
Posted by PayItForward (Travelling) on 08/03/2021 61 posts
★★★★★
Edited 6/10/24 at 10:14 pm
Mosquito Bite Prevention Treatment:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure... I had dreadful reactions for 30+ yrs. Swelling and incomprehensible itching. The kind that can drive you half mad and make you want to claw a hole in your body. And I thought I'd tried everything over the decades; every potion, lotion, even hot spoons. Nothing worked. If there was one of these devil tormentors within a 10 mile radius it seemed to find me. I finally found relief in Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 400-500 mg taken daily, and no less! The remedy came from a pharmacy in Thailand. Allegedly mozzys do not like the smell, though we can't smell it. It shocked me it worked so well. I got the odd bite but it didn't swell, remained tiny, and barely an itch. Before I'd have 12+ welts with tormenting itching 24/7. Now I might only get one, and no welts and no bother.
Friends who travel in hot mozzy infested areas and countries were also impressed too. On annual trips, they would start taking this one week before their trip. But taking the right dose seems vital - If the dosage was skimped on (300 mg or less) it did NOT work. Some people take it in divided doses am/pm but I just took it all at once, so can't comment if that's more effective. I've also read that Vitamin B1 is a myth and is not a systemic mosquito repellent. However, I can attest it's worked for me and others when nothing else did.
Homemade Sprays
Posted by Lita209 (Sanford, Fl, USA) on 08/24/2012
★★★★★
I mix flat beer, epsom salts and mint Listerine and spray my back yard and front yard for mosquito control. The first time I heard this remedy I thought it was weird, but I tried and it really works!!! Hope someone tries it.
Replied by Tender Butt
(Topeka, Ks)
07/04/2013
Homeopathic Remedy Staphysagria
Posted by Linen53 (Colorado) on 09/07/2013
★★★★★
The only thing that works for me to repel mosquitoes is staphysagria (larkspur). I take 2 homeopathic pellets (30C strength) 3 times a day. It creates an odor that the mosquitoes do not like. The only drawback is it can create digestion problems. But it's worth it to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Hot Spoon Remedy
Posted by Sara (Texas) on 07/04/2014
★★★★★
Hi, A nurse told us about this remedy for mosquito bites and my family tried it and SURE ENOUGH, IT WORKED. Take a spoon from your kitchen and run hot water over it to make it hot, then apply it on the bite until it is no longer hot. We applied it twice to the bite. The itch went away and so did the bite. I had the bite at night and the next morning when I woke up, I noticed that I could not even see where the bite had been. Next time I get a mosquito bite, I am going to apply the hot spoon to the bite just once to see if it still works with one application. I love earth clinic, thank you all for sharing natural ways to help others.
Replied by Thuy
(Brampton, Ontario)
09/07/2015
★★★★★
Replied by Nick
(Greece)
08/15/2022
★★★★★
Replied by Denise
(Bensalem PA)
07/04/2024
★★★★★
Iodine
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 10/22/2024
★★★★★
Tincture of Iodine 2% (the same iodine that use to be in your grandma medicine cabinet) put onto a mosquito bite will kill all bacteria and viruses at the site of the bite within ten to thirty seconds, making it impossible for any virus or bacteria to multiply and get started - such as in West Nile Fever, Dengue Fever, etc.
Lavender Oil
Posted by Renee (Bergen Co., Nj) on 08/02/2013
★★★★★
Lavendar oil (applied straight to the spot) took away the severe itch of mosquito bites almost immediately.
Lemon Joy Detergent
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 08/24/2012 490 posts
★★★★★
For those of you who have a big mosquito problem, which will be rampant very soon now, I have also read that if you take a shallow white dish, fill it almost full of water, add a few drops of Lemon Joy detergent, the mosquitos will flock to it for drink which kills them, often within l0 - 12 feet of getting that drink.
Lisa's Mosquito Repellent Formula
Posted by Lisa (Monroe, Mi) on 08/09/2013
★★★★★
INDOOR MOSQUITO RELIEF! They say necessity is the mother of invention (well, Plato did, anyway). So, I mixed up an indoor mosquito repellent. The mosquitoes are so bad this year, we have been getting eaten alive, in our beds at night. You know those reed diffusers, for scenting a room? Time to put those babies to work! Michael, the girls and I have been using these for two nights- no more mosquito bites.
I used the information I found on here, and used citronella, lavender and lemon essential oils to make a mosquito-repelling reed diffuser. I put one next to each bed at night, and two by the king size bed. We had been getting multiple bites at night- now, no more!
Mosquito Repelling Reed Diffusers
For two diffusers:
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 oz vodka (about)
25 drops citronella essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
Mix well; the water should turn a little cloudy (to indicate the oils have blended with the water). If the oils are still floating, add a splash more vodka. While the mixture is still agitated/mixed well, pour into two small vases. Add the reeds, let them soak for about 10 minutes. Then, flip the reeds over. I flip them before I go to bed, too (makes the scent stronger). I put one by the girls' beds, and one on either side of our king size bed.
I found little ceramic vases (must be fully glazed inside) for a dollar at my local craft store; they also had the bundles of reeds for a dollar. A small glass vase would work, too.
Lisa.
Replied by NienaB
(Michigan)
07/28/2021
Mosquito Bite Allergy Remedies
Posted by Leanne (Gold Coast, Queensland) on 02/13/2013
I woke up one morning with what looked like a normal mosquito bite, just a small red bite, mildly itchy but I didn't scratch. Over the next week the bite turned into a small ring which kept getting larger and was slightly raised. It looks similar to a ringworm. Now four weeks later and it still hasn't gone away. The doctor gave me a mild ointment at first ( telling me it was an fungal thing) and now a stronger ointment which she says I can't use for long as it thins the skin. I would rather not use this. Four days on with using the strong ointment and it is still there. Any suggestions? Also does his mean I may now be allergic to mozzie bites now? It is also still mildly itchy. To get an idea what it looks like if you look up 'red ring around bite' on google images the first picture is kind of what it looks like.
Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
02/13/2013
Replied by Robin
(St. Cloud, Fl)
02/14/2013
Nigella Sativa
Posted by Stuman (Oceanside, Ca) on 12/30/2016
★★★★★
Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) has analgesic and anti inflammatory effects. N. Sativa is also known to be antibacterial.
Lightly massage 1 drop of N. Sativa oil to the mosquito bite - re-apply the oil throughout the day. After the oil application try to keep the bite clean, this means no scratching. The following day my bites are reduced in size and do not itch.
Peppermint Oil
Posted by Ct (San Francisco, Ca) on 11/03/2018
★★★★★
Peppermint oil applied directly on mosquito bites always works for me. It relieves the itch instantly and shrinks the mark in a day or two. Smells good too.
Plantings
Posted by Staff (Earth Clinic) on 08/24/2012
Thai lemon grass is another decorative plant you can add to your garden and repel insects like mosquitoes at the same time. Thai lemon grass is a tall (about 2 foot tall) decorative grass that naturally produces citronella in a genetic mixture that is more effective than citronella oil itself. You can apply the pulp from Thai lemon grass directly to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent lotion. Just break off a stalk, peel back the leaves to get to the bare stem at the bottom of the stalk, and work this stem between your hands. You can rub the resulting liquid safely all over your skin.
Plantings
Posted by Staff (Earth Clinic) on 08/24/2012
There is something about marigolds that makes them great pest repellents for our homes and gardens. Plant them in the garden and they will keep flying insects away from your vegetables. Plant marigolds around your patio, porch, deck, BBQ, or other outside area and you can repel mosquitoes without otherwise lifting a finger. A specific compound carried in the scent of the marigolds is a natural mosquito repellent and can actually be purchased as an essential oil to ward off insects in the garden.
Prevention
Posted by Staff (Earth Clinic) on 08/24/2012
As always, prevention of mosquitoes is sometimes the best medicine against them and against mosquito bites (not to mention the diseases they carry like West Nile virus and EEE). The place to start is always to make sure you don't have any standing water left for too long outside your home. Making sure any water in pet bowls, bird baths, or buckets and the like are emptied at least twice a week will significantly reduce the mosquito populations around your home.