Lemongrass and oregano are very strong scents that mosquitoes don’t like. You can use them in a spray-based repellent to repel these bloodsucking insects. Lemongrass is also said to have antiviral, anti-parasitic, and antifungal properties. Most people grow lemongrass as ornamental plants for the aromatic oil that can be extracted from them. For example, citronella oil is extracted from lemongrass for use mostly for perfumes and incense. Making your own homemade mosquito repellent using ingredients that you already have at home is safer than buying chemical-laden commercially-made ones. Oregano is an herb that acts as a natural antibiotic and has medicinal properties against flu and cough. Lemongrass is also an amazing health booster known to treat acne, menstrual cramps, depression, heart problems, and allergies. This post (and recipe) is sponsored by Anthony Logistics. Thank you for supporting the brands that support POPSUGAR Must Have!  It’s that time of year when everyone starts to dread mosquito bites. The large, itchy bumps and constant scratching are a nuisance. I know from experience that keeping bite-free from these pests can be hard during the warm summer months, but I also have a trick to help keep these critters at bay — lemongrass and oregano spray. This all-natural spray is simple to make, versatile, and easy to use. Plus, it helps calm your senses when you need a moment to relax or unwind. As a brand that uses the power of naturally derived plant derived and organic ingredients, Anthony Logistics is the perfect partner for this project!

How To Make Lemon Grass Mosquito Repellent

Introduction

With the recent global spread of Zika virus and a new strain of malaria in Africa, it’s best to keep mosquitos far, far away from you. Citronella spray is one method for doing this, but citronella plants are expensive and have a faint scent that some people don’t like. Lemon grass is a hardy mosquito repellent plant that can grow in most parts of the world, so why not make your own mosquito spray? Plus, it has an invigorating citrusy smell!

INGREDIENTS

• Lemongrass
• Water
• Black pepper

2 lemongrass stalks

2 lemongrass stalks

Take the two lemongrass stems and cut them into 1-inch pieces. (If you’re using woody stems, use a sharp knife to peel off the outer layer.) Next, chop up the pieces small enough so that they will fit in your drinking glass and stir easily but not so small that they’ll fall through an ice cube tray. I suggest chopping them into roughly 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch squares. If you have any leftover after making this recipe and find yourself with some extra time on your hands, then it’s a great idea to prepare some more lemon grass for later use!

3 cups of water

3 cups of water is a good amount to use in your diffuser. Lemongrass has a pleasant smell that will repel mosquitoes, but not overpower you with scent. The water can be mixed with other oils such as tea tree oil or citronella oil if you prefer to have a stronger aroma.

Black pepper (optional)

You may choose to use black pepper for a more intense scent. Black pepper alone will not repel mosquitos, but it can enhance the lemon grass scent. You can add 1/4 cup of black pepper to your mixture if you wish to do so.

PREPARATION

• Cut the lemongrass into small pieces.
• Put the cut lemongrass in a cheesecloth or strainer and place it in a bowl.
• Add 1 cup of water to your mixture, and then add 2 tablespoons of pepper (more if you like spicy things). Stir until thoroughly mixed. Let it sit for an hour or two, until cooled down enough to strain out any ingredients that didn’t dissolve properly.
• Put the soup through a strainer, then store in a plastic container with a lid (like Tupperware) for use later on!

Cut the lemongrass into small pieces and put them in a pot with the water.

• Cut the lemongrass into small pieces.
• Put the lemongrass into a pot with water
• Boil the water in your pot for about 15 minutes, or until it is reduced by half.

Bring to a boil, add pepper and simmer for about 30 minutes.

• Add the lemon grass and pepper to the boiling water and stir with a wooden spoon for about 3 minutes, or until fragrant. You can use any kind of pepper you have on hand but if using black pepper, be sure not to let it simmer too long or it will become bitter tasting!
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until your liquid has reduced by about 1/2 cup (as seen in photo above).

Let it cool and then strain the mixture, keeping only the liquid.

After boiling the lemongrass and water, let the mixture cool before straining. Place a strainer over a bowl and pour the liquid into it. The lemongrass will not be able to pass through the mesh of your strainer, so you can discard it once you have strained all of your liquid into another bowl or container.

Pour it into a spray bottle and use it as mosquito repellent.

To use this lemon grass mosquito repellent, simply pour it into a spray bottle and use it as mosquito repellent. You can also add the mixture to your laundry by washing clothes with the mixture or putting it in your dryer to keep mosquitoes away from your bedding.

The lemon grass mosquito repellent is safe for children, pets and even pregnant women to use because there are no harmful chemicals present in its ingredients list; however, if you have sensitive skin or have had reactions to certain essential oils before then proceed with caution when using this product. It is recommended that you test the mixture on a small patch of skin first before applying it all over yourself so that you don’t experience any adverse reactions later down the line (such as hives).

The lemon grass mosquito repellent can easily be made beforehand so make sure that you always have some on hand in case an emergency happens at home where someone gets bitten by a bug!

You can make your own mosquito repellent using lemongrass.

Lemongrass is a great mosquito repellent, and it’s easy to make. Lemongrass essential oil can be used for a number of purposes, including:

• Aromatherapy
• Cooking (it has a citrus taste)
• Massage oil and body butter

Because lemongrass is so versatile and easy to use, you may want to consider making your own insect repellent instead of buying one in the store. This article will teach you how!

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it! We hope you enjoyed learning how to make a DIY lemon grass mosquito repellent. With this method, you can help save the environment, keep your house and body free of pests, and maybe even earn some money selling your new creation.