Best natural mosquito repellents
Find out how to ward off mosquitoes without exposing your skin to harsh chemicals.
Jan, 2026
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Slide 1
While warm-weather outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and backyard barbecues are a lot of fun, chances are you may end up dealing with something unpleasant: mosquitoes. They can turn a perfectly good time into an uncomfortable, itchy nightmare. Not to mention, mosquitoes can carry diseases like Zika and West Nile virus.
You could reach for some DEET, which has been found to be both safe and effective at repelling mosquitoes. But you may also be wary of putting pesticides on your skin—or your child’s. If you are seeking to avoid chemical exposure, here are five natural mosquito repellents you may want to consider.
Written byMichael Gollust.
Medically reviewed byMark Arredondo, MD.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Zika virus overview. Page last reviewed October 7 + 7
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Zika virus overview. Page last reviewed October 7, 2019.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. West Nile virus. Page last reviewed June 13, 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevent Mosquito Bites. Page last reviewed November 2, 2022.
- Zam W, Quispe C, Sharifi-Rad J, et al. An Updated Review on The Properties of Melissa officinalis L.: Not Exclusively Anti-anxiety. Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2022 Jun 7;14(2):16.
- Iovinella I, Caputo B, Cobre P, et al. Advances in mosquito repellents: effectiveness of citronellal derivatives in laboratory and field trials. Pest Manag Sci. 2022 Dec;78(12):5106-5112.
- Farmer’s Almanac. Mosquito-Repelling Plants: Fact Or Fiction? November 8, 2023.
- Hoffmann EJ, Miller JR. Reassessment of the role and utility of wind in suppression of mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) host finding: stimulus dilution supported over flight limitation. J Med Entomol. 2003 Sep;40(5):607-14.
- da Silva MRM, Ricci-Júnior E. An approach to natural insect repellent formulations: from basic research to technological development. Acta Trop. 2020 Dec;212:105419.
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