DIY Weapons Louisiana Can Use in the War Against Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes. They are just a fact of life in Louisiana. Another fact to point out, we are constantly trying to find new techniques to fight the bite.

Let this sink in.....there are 68 species of mosquitoes in Louisiana. It's the female mosquitoes that do the biting. And the not-so-lovely ladies can carry diseases that can seriously alter your life, and in some cases, end your life.

And no one wants to get bit by a mosquito. It's annoying somewhat painful and definitely itchy!

In Louisiana, we love to hang out on the patio, go swimming, go fishing and just in general be outside anytime we can. When trying to enjoy ourselves, especially in our own yards, we have to do something to treat the yard for mosquitoes or we'll get eaten alive!

You can get plenty of prepared products for your yard, and you can get repellent for your body. But, what if you just want something that is easy?

We found a few recipes you can make at home to spray in areas where you are trying to get mosquitoes to stay away.

You can make your own mosquito repellent at home with things in your cabinets. If you have some beer, mouthwash, and apple cider vinegar in your house, you can use a DIY method for homemade mosquito repellent. 

Recipes for DIY Mosquito Repellent for Your Yard

When checking out what to do at familyhandyman.com, it's really not hard at all to put together these solutions. The first concoction is made of three ingredients most people have at home:

• One 16-ounce bottle of mint-flavored mouthwash
• 3 cups Epson salt
• 3 12-ounce bottles of stale beer (cheap beer works just fine)

You just mix it all up in a bowl and you put it into a spray bottle.

The second concoction is just as easy to make:

• 2 ounces of water
• 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar
• 20-25 drops of Bug Off Oil (If you don't have Bug Off Oil here is what it is made of: An all-natural oil made with a mix of citronella, peppermint, lemongrass, cedarwood, and geranium.)

Martha Stewart also has a great and easy recipe you can whip up to use as a mosquito repellent. You need the following ingredients:

• Water
• Rosemary Oil
• Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix 1/4 cup of water with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 40 drops of Rosemary oil in a spray bottle. Shake up the concoction well and spray.

Now that we have taken care of the exterior of your home or vacation place, what about the body?

Recipes for DIY Mosquito Repellent for Your Body

Let's begin with an easy recipe from Martha Stewart that is another recipe with three ingredients that you can combine, shake up, and spray on your person.

Here is all you need:

• Witch hazel
• Eucalyptus oil
• Water

You put together 1/3 cup of witch hazel and 1/3 of a cup of water and sprinkle in 40 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. And Stewart offers other additions in case you don't like eucalyptus.

Cinnamon oil can be used to make a repellent for your body.

Another easy way to make a DIY mosquito repellent you can use on your body is to get some cinnamon oil. Who knew? According to healthline.com you put in 24 drops of cinnamon oil for every four ounces of water

You can spray it on your body and your clothes, but they do point out that you shouldn't use more than the recommended oil because cinnamon oil can irritate your skin.

Peppermint oil is another good idea to make a repellent. And with this recipe, you get two ways to use it.

Martha Stewart says this recipe is easy. All you need for this recipe is some coconut oil and peppermint essential oil.

Combine 1/3 of a cup of coconut oil and 15 drops of peppermint essential oil. Mix it up and use it as a spray.

If you prefer you can put it in a jar so it solidifies like a paste or cream. Store the jar in the refrigerator, and right before you go outside put a very small amount of it on your hands and other body parts so mosquitoes will avoid you.

Hopefully, these tips will help you get some relief from mosquitoes and enjoy time outdoors!