5 Eco-Friendly Bug Repellant Ideas for Your Home

Imagine being stuck in a tricky situation. One option is using a bug spray loaded with strong chemicals that may work but can hurt us and the environment. The other is skipping the repellent and getting bitten by those annoying critters. It's like picking between a rock and a hard place.

But here’s the good news: There is a better option! There are several eco-friendly and reusable solutions that repel mosquitos and other bugs without being harsh on us or our planet.

Read on to find out five simple and effective bug-repellent ideas that everyone will love — except those pesky pests.

Keep Bugs Away With These 5 Non-Toxic and Planet-Friendly Tips

1. Grow Bug-Repelling Plants

Lavender, mint, rosemary, eucalyptus — there are dozens of plants you can grow in your backyard that contain powerful bug-repelling compounds. Not only do these herbs give off aromas that mosquitoes and ticks don’t love, but their smell also masks human scents that bugs rely on to locate their target.

You can crush their leaves or flowers and apply them to your arms and legs. If growing them in your yard is too much of a hassle, go for essential oils and use them to create all-natural DIY repellent sprays.

Best Suited For: These natural DIY methods work better as a personal repeller than protecting large spaces. But simply growing these plants won’t do the trick: you’ll need to crush and turn them into sprayable concoctions.

2. Wear Mosquito-Repellent Bracelets

Colorful, DEET-free bracelets have become a crowd-favorite to keep the bugs away. These bracelets contain citronella, germanium, and lemongrass oil to repel mosquitoes and ticks naturally.

They come individually packed and are easy to reuse. Plus, they are stretchable, meaning anyone from kids to grown-ups can wear them around their wrists or ankles.

Best Suited For: These are great for upping your bug-repellent game when camping, hiking, or venturing outdoors. However, like repellent creams, they only protect the person wearing them.

3. Light Up Some Citronella Candles

Don’t you just love the rich, lemony scent of citronella? Turns out that mosquitoes don’t. And that’s why spraying DIY citronella concoctions or burning aromatic candles has become a popular way of keeping insects at bay. Most citronella candles are made from beeswax and soy wax, making them an eco-friendly alternative to paraffin candles.

Best Suited For: If formulated correctly, citronella is highly effective at repelling mosquitoes for short durations. However, there are some concerns about its effectiveness in a candle form.

You can still go ahead and try them for their refreshing, air-purifying, and bug-repelling qualities for smaller spaces. If you have a large area to cover, it’s best to go for a spatial system.

4. Install a Spatial Mosquito Repellent System

If you own a large outdoor space, your best bet is to opt for a high-coverage solution that is eco-friendly, reusable, and potent. A spatial mosquito control system like the Thermacell Liv is one such option that allows you customizable coverage for small to large outdoor spaces.

Their state-of-the-art system is made up of multiple repellers that emit scent-free vapors containing 5.5% metofluthrin — a biodegradable and safe active ingredient. Each repeller creates a 20 feet zone (315 sq ft) and is connected to a smart hub.

Plus, you can control the entire system via an app. It’s easy to operate and saves you the hassle of slathering pungent creams every time you crave some outdoor fun.

Best Suited For: This solution is ideal for anyone with a backyard, no matter its size. Simply use the app to turn on the vapor-dispensing system a few minutes before you step outdoors.

5. Use Mosquito Nets

This is an old-school, durable, and reusable method of warding off annoying bugs. A mosquito net or a mesh can be used in various ways. You can sleep under it by tucking it under the mattress to create a canopy over the bed or set it up over your tent when camping.

Best Suited For: Mosquito nets are great at creating personal bug-free spaces both indoors and outdoors. But using them to cover a large space could be tedious, including the pop-up tent style. Not to mention you’ll need several nets to cover an average-sized backyard.

Make Your Home a Bug-Free Zone

It’s no secret that LA has a bug problem, as well as its surrounding cities, including Long Beach, Gardena, Torrance, and Santa Barbara. At Mosquito Squad, we understand that homeowners need an effective solution that does the job without causing harmful side effects. We hope the tips we shared today help you choose the solution that works best for you!

Give us a shout if your home has a mosquito problem, and you’re looking for expert advice and customized solutions to keep your living and outdoor space bug-free.