Warmer weather is here, and that means enjoying activities like hiking, sunbathing, and barbecues. But with the good comes a tiny nuisance: mosquitos. These pests thrive in warm weather and can quickly ruin summer fun. Luckily, there are natural ways to keep them away so you can enjoy the sunshine.
When using natural insect repellents directly on your skin, choose products registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), says Joseph Conlon, a retired U.S. Navy entomologist and technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, test a small drop of essential oil on the inside of your forearm first. Here are seven natural ways to prevent mosquito bites.
1. Lemon Eucalyptus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies lemon eucalyptus as an active ingredient in mosquito repellent. “It’s a very good repellent,” says conlon. “Just don’t use it on kids younger than 3 – it hasn’t been approved for them.”
2. Catnip Oil
Most people know catnip affects cats, but research shows it can also repel mosquitos. A 2024 study found that catnip essential oil,specifically its active ingredients called nepetalactones,effectively repels mosquitoes. In lab tests,even low concentrations of catnip oil significantly reduced mosquito numbers compared to untreated areas,showing strong repellency against species like Aedes aegypti (the yellow fever mosquito).
