14 Common Essential Oils People Use To Repel Mosquitoes (& Do They Actually Work?)

Without adequate protection, mosquitoes can quickly put a damper on a beautiful summer day. Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, but some species transmit diseases that can be harmful to both humans and animals. Instead of covering yourself in store-bought bug spray all season long, you can go the natural route by creating a DIY mosquito repellent with essential oils. Extensive research has been done on the efficacy of certain essential oils in repelling mosquitoes, and some of them are more effective than others. 

To help you choose an effective natural alternative, we are breaking down the 14 most commonly used essential oils for repelling mosquitoes, from citronella to eucalyptus to cedarwood, and diving into how well they really work. Research shows that some of these essential oils also provide protection from other pesky insects, such as fleas and ticks. You may want to have these natural remedies on hand for your next adventure in the great outdoors.

Mint leaves are said to be a mosquito-fighting secret weapon, but could a few drops of peppermint oil be just as effective? One 2011 study in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine discovered that peppermint oil, which was extracted from mint leaves through a steam distillation process, was highly successful at deterring Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are also known as yellow fever mosquitoes because they are carriers of diseases such as dengue virus, yellow fever, and Zika. In the study, peppermint oil protected the human volunteers for 150 minutes from these mosquitoes in particular.

Derived from a bitter orange tree, petitgrain is a popular essential oil used in aromatherapy. In the Insects study, it also had the highest complete protection time from yellow fever mosquitoes, lasting for 270 minutes. Petitgrain was also remarkably successful at repelling Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, which are commonly found in the southern United States and are primarily active at night, with a repellency time of 360 minutes. The study noted that it was equally as effective as citronella. If you're wondering which essential oil to try out for yourself, you may want to start with petitgrain. 

Vetiver essential oil is derived from Vetiver grass, a type of bunch grass that grows in tropical areas. It has a calming aroma that is used to relieve stress and improve concentration. Studies have found that vetiver essential oil can be effective at deterring insects such as termites, beetles, and even ticks. However, it may not be as reliable at repelling mosquitoes. The Insects study from 2022 found that vetiver had the lowest median complete-protection time of just 30 minutes. An Insects study published in 2023 said vetiver oil was more effective when combined with β-caryophyllene oxide.

Neem essential oil is created from neem leaves, which have been used for ages in traditional medicine as a versatile herbal remedy. Neem oil is also a well-known natural pesticide and is a common ingredient in pesticide products. Neem oil was tested for its efficacy at repelling malaria-carrying mosquitoes in a village in Ethiopia. The study, published in the Malaria Journal in 2015, found that neem oil offered complete protection from Anopheles mosquitoes for three hours. A 2009 Malaria Journal study found that neem oil was effective at interrupting the breeding process of these mosquitoes.

Can you deter mosquitoes with everyone's favorite fall spice? According to science, the answer is yes. In a Scientific Reports study published in 2023, 20 essential oils were tested for their ability to repel mosquitoes and ticks that transmit diseases. Of all the oils included in the experiment, cinnamon oil had the most promising results. When applied in a lotion formula, cinnamon oil protected participants from tick crossings and mosquito bites for the most extended amount of time. Further, cinnamon oil was the best-performing product in each of the tests that were conducted.

Rosemary is a herb that offers many benefits, such as adding flavor to cooking, reducing inflammation, improving sleep, and even stimulating hair growth. Scientific tests have also examined its ability to repel mosquitoes. In a 2020 study published in the Journal of Physics: Conference Series, rosemary essential oil provided significant protection from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Participants treated with rosemary oil at 24% concentration were protected for four hours at a rate of 92.15%. A 2011 study in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine found rosemary oil effective against a mosquito species that transmits Japanese encephalitis.

Derived from cedarwood trees, this essential oil has a pleasant and calming aroma that is used in fragrance and bath products. It is used as a natural pesticide and is applied on pet collars to deter fleas. However, some research shows that it is ineffective at preventing mosquito bites when compared to other essential oils. The Journal of Medical Entomology study said cedarwood failed to deter mosquitoes. In 2023, a study in Scientific Reports tested a 10% cedarwood emulsion in a lotion and found that it provided only twenty minutes of protection from bites.