Best 3 Essential Oils to Repel Mosquitoes & Soothe Bites
There’s is nothing worse than the annoying buzzing sound of a mosquito, or those itchy and often painful mosquito bites. These silent assassins attack at inconvenient times, especially when you’re trying to enjoy an outdoor BBQ, or when the kids are playing in the backyard at dusk.
Thankfully, essential oils can be used as natural mosquito repellants, they may also help heal and soothe those nasty mosquito bites. With natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, essential oils are known to repel mosquitos and reduce potential infection.
Here, we’ll explore the best essential oils that are known to help combat mosquitoes, how to use them, and where to buy them.
Our Top 3 Essential Oils to Deter Mosquitoes & Treat Mosquito Bites
Here are our top 3 essential oils to help repel mosquitos and soothe mosquito bites:
Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella Essential Oil works by masking human scents that attract mosquitos, making you less likely to be found and bitten by one. It contains natural antiseptic and antifungal properties, which can help prevent infection from mosquito bites while promoting healing.
As a result, it’s one of the best-known natural mosquito repellents and the most common essential oil for preventing mosquito bites.
*See our repellent instructions below to make your own citronella essential oil natural mosquito repellent remedy.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil is widely known for its natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties. This makes it highly effective in repelling mosquitos and other pesky insects.
It’s also known for its analgesic (pain-relieving) qualities that may help to ease swelling and remedy itching. Perfect for providing relief and preventing bites once and for all.
*See our repellent instructions below to make your own tea tree essential oil natural mosquito repellent remedy.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil is one of the most versatile essential oils and is known to reduce the redness, itching and irritation of mosquito bites; it has also been seen to promote healing. Better yet, while Lavender Oil is widely known for its subtle, sweet and slightly herbaceous aroma, mosquitos hate the smell of it. It’s a win-win.
Lavender Oil is also extremely gentle on the skin, so you can apply it directly onto a mosquito bite unlike most essential oils. In saying this, we always recommend diluting any essential oil with a carrier oil for safe topical application.
Lavender Oil is also a highly effective insect repellent to keep you and your family safely protected from mosquitos and other bug bites.
*See our repellent instructions below to make your own lavender essential oil natural mosquito repellent remedy.
How to Use Essential Oils For Mosquitoes
Citronella Java Essential Oil
Dilution: Add a few drops of Citronella Java Oil at a 2-3% dilution with your chosen carrier oil and apply directly to the bite. Apply a 0.5-1% dilution for facial application.
Repellent Spray: Add 10-15 drops of Citronella Java Oil to 1 tbsp of your chosen carrier oil. Mix with 60ml of boiling water and 30ml of Witch Hazel Extract and shake well. Spray directly onto the skin every 30-60 minutes.
Diffusion: Add a few drops of Citronella Java Oil into your diffuser to ward off mosquitos and insects from the area.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Dilution: Add 3-4 drops of Tea Tree Oil at a 1-2% dilution with your chosen carrier oil or a base moisturiser and apply directly to the bite. Apply a 0.5-1% dilution for facial application.
Repellent Spray: Add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil into a spray bottle and mix 60ml of boiling water and 30ml of witch hazel and shake well. Spray directly onto the skin every 30-60 minutes.
Diffusion: Add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil into your diffuser to use as a mist to deter mosquitos from the area.
Lavender Essential Oil
Dilution: Add 3-4 drops of Lavender Oil at a 2-4% dilution with your chosen carrier oil or a base moisturiser and apply directly to the bite. Apply a 1-2% dilution for facial application.
Repellent Spray: Add 10 drops of Lavender Oil into a spray bottle and mix 60ml of boiling water and 30ml of witch hazel and shake well. Spray wherever you’d like to repel mosquitos.
Diffusion: Add a few drops of Lavender Oil into your diffuser to use as a mist to deter mosquitos from the area.
Where To Buy Essential Oils For Mosquito Bites
It is important to get high-quality essential oils that are guaranteed to be 100% pure. Here at AWO we have a wide selection of 100% pure essential oils and organic essential oils sold at reasonable prices.
We provide the highest quality products that can be used throughout your home. Plus, we are based right here in Australia! You can buy essential oils to tackle mould on our website at www.awo.com.au.
Learn More About Mosquito Bites
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?
Mosquito bites are so itchy because the insect will inject a saliva-like substance into the skin. As a result, your skin will react, swell and itch. This is your body’s way of alerting you that there has been an attack, addressing the bite by causing inflammation in the area.
Unfortunately, this reaction comes with an awful need to vigorously scratch. But itching an already inflamed bite will only make it worse. So having a natural, remedy on hand is vital to lower inflammation, stop the itch and let your body heal the bite, without causing scars.
Other Ways to Relieve Mosquito Bites
If you find that you’re still itching away at your mosquito bites, there are some other home remedies to make the pain of these little bites more manageable. These may include:
- Take an essential oil bath (add a few drops to a warm bath to help relieve the itch)
- Have a cold shower or apply an ice pack. The cooling sensation of the ice can relieve the itchiness.
- Add honey directly to the bite. The healing properties of honey can soothe a painful itch.
- See a doctor. If you find relief from essential oils, it is necessary to consult your doctor, who can provide you with a strong antihistamine.
Essential Oil Safety
Whilst essential oils are natural products, they are extremely potent and can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. For this reason, we recommend the following:
- In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils without the guidance of a registered Aromatherapist or Naturopath.
- Avoid using essential oils during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.
- We recommend storing your essential oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
- Essential oils can be very concentrated and are likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oils before using topically (on the skin). You can see our recommended dilution percentages under the 'How To Use Essential Oils For Mosquitoes' section above.