7 Home Remedies to Keep Mosquitoes Away

As spring rolls in and the evenings get warmer, many of us throw open the windows and step outside to enjoy the fresh air. But there’s a tiny, buzzing problem that comes with the season: mosquitoes. They’re not just annoying, they can ruin a peaceful night’s sleep or turn a backyard barbecue into a swatting session.

If you’re not a fan of strong chemical sprays or bug repellents that smell like industrial cleaners, you can use natural, time-tested methods to keep mosquitoes away that are easy to try at home. Below are some of the best remedies I’ve used (and recommended to friends), along with tips to make them work better.

This one is a favorite in my family. It’s simple, effective, and actually smells great. You take a fresh lemon, cut it in half, and stick a bunch of whole cloves into the pulp. I usually use around 6 to 8 cloves per half. Then, I place the lemon halves in small bowls and leave them near doorways, windows, or even on the nightstand.

The citrus oil from the lemon and the sharp aroma from the cloves combine to create a scent mosquitoes find unbearable. I love using this especially when we’re hosting dinner on the balcony, it keeps the mood pleasant and bug-free. Plus, it looks kind of cute as a table decoration. You can refresh the lemons every few days when they dry out or lose their scent.

Another tip: simmer lemon peel and a few cloves in a small pot of water to fill your home with a mosquito-repelling aroma. It works particularly well in the kitchen or bathroom where small windows tend to be left open.

This might sound strange at first, but used coffee grounds are actually one of the best natural mosquito control tricks I’ve found. It’s perfect if you’re a regular coffee drinker and hate wasting anything.

Here’s how I use it: I let the coffee grounds dry out after brewing, then sprinkle them into small puddles or planters where water tends to sit. That includes things like flower pot saucers, cracks in outdoor furniture, or the base of garden statues. Mosquitoes love to lay their eggs in still water, and the coffee disrupts their breeding cycle by making the environment less oxygen-rich. The larvae simply can’t develop.

It’s a great way to upcycle kitchen waste and prevent new swarms from showing up around your yard. Just be cautious not to clog up your soil or drains, use a light hand and monitor where it builds up.

This one is such a cozy remedy, especially when you’re hosting a small get-together in the evening. Mosquitoes absolutely hate the strong, earthy scent that comes from burning herbs like sage and rosemary. On warm nights, I like to toss a bundle into our fire pit or even just on top of the charcoal in the grill after we’ve cooked.

The smell is subtle and calming for people, but mosquitoes can’t stand it. It’s an easy addition to any outdoor evening, and it gives off a relaxing campsite vibe. Even if you’re just using a small tabletop fire bowl, the aromatic smoke can help create a protective bubble around your seating area.

If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, dried versions work just as well. You can even find pre-made herbal bundles online or in natural stores that are ready to burn.

Essential oils are one of my go-to home remedies for mosquitoes, because they’re versatile and they smell amazing. Some of the best oils for repelling mosquitoes are citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, and tea tree oil. These can be used in a variety of ways depending on your preference.

If you’re heading outdoors, mix a few drops with a carrier oil like coconut or sweet almond oil and apply it to your ankles, wrists, and neck. I keep a small roller bottle with me when I go hiking or to outdoor events: it works as a natural perfume and a bug repellent.

At home, I diffuse lavender or peppermint oil in the living room during the early evening hours. Not only does it freshen up the space, but it also discourages mosquitoes from coming inside when the windows are open. Cotton balls soaked in essential oil and placed in corners or drawers can also help keep pests away from small spaces.

Just remember to avoid direct application on children or pets without checking if the oil is safe for them. And always patch-test new oils on your own skin first.

This one might seem basic, but it’s a powerful defense. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so the fewer water sources you have around, the better. I make it a habit to walk around the yard once a week with a small bucket and dump anything that’s collected water, like saucers under pots, the lid of a forgotten trash can, or even kids’ toys left outside.

Check your gutters too. Clogged drains are sneaky breeding grounds. And if you have a birdbath or water feature you don’t want to drain, consider adding a few drops of natural larvicide or a mosquito dunk (safe for birds and pets) to keep the water mosquito-free.

Also, trim down overgrown shrubs or bushes where mosquitoes tend to rest during the heat of the day. More airflow and sunlight make your space less inviting to them.

Okay, this one might not win any awards for fragrance, but it really works. Mosquitoes despise garlic, and spraying a simple garlic solution around your home can act like an invisible fence for bugs.

I usually crush 4 or 5 garlic cloves and boil them in about two cups of water. Once it cools, I strain it and pour it into a spray bottle. Then I spray it around door frames, patio doors, window sills, and even the legs of outdoor furniture. The initial smell is strong, but it fades within 15–20 minutes. By that time, the area is already uninviting to mosquitoes.

If you don’t want to smell like a clove of garlic yourself, don’t worry, this is meant for surfaces, not your skin. It’s a cheap and surprisingly effective way to protect your space

You’d be amazed at how many people overlook this simple solution. Mosquitoes are incredibly light, and even a gentle breeze makes it hard for them to fly. I always set up a standing fan or a box fan near our patio seating, and it creates a zone they can’t navigate. Bonus: it keeps you cool, too.

At bedtime, placing a small table fan near the bed or crib can make a noticeable difference. It also helps spread the scent of any essential oils you might be diffusing and reduces the carbon dioxide buildup around you, which is one of the main things mosquitoes are drawn to.

Home remedies can go a long way in keeping mosquitoes under control, but let’s be honest: sometimes you need a little extra help. That’s where mosquito zappers come in. These modern devices use UV light to attract mosquitoes and then zap them quietly, without chemicals or sprays.

We recently tested several of the top-rated mosquito zappers and were impressed with how well some of them performed. A few were even portable enough to take on camping trips or use on the nightstand. If you’re looking for a solution for your bedroom, patio, or tent, there’s a zapper that fits the job.

👉 Want to know which one worked best? Clara wrote a full review of the best devices on this page.

Sometimes, going high-tech is the simplest way to reclaim your space from mosquitoes, and finally enjoy a summer evening in peace.