Homemade Insect Repellent That Actually Works

Say goodbye to mosquitoes, gnats, and other annoying insects using simple household ingredients! This natural DIY insecticide is easy to make, safe for your home, and surprisingly effective.

Whether you’re tired of pesky mosquitoes interrupting your sleep or want a chemical-free way to keep bugs away, this step-by-step guide will show you how to prepare a powerful homemade insect spray.


🧴 What You’ll Need:

Here are the ingredients for this all-natural, budget-friendly insecticide:

  • ✅ 200 ml of water
  • ✅ 20 whole cloves (clove buds)
  • ✅ 1 small packet of mothballs (about 30 g)
  • ✅ 100 ml of mild dish soap (neutral detergent)
  • ✅ 100 ml of 46% rubbing alcohol
  • ✅ 200 ml of white vinegar

These ingredients are common, inexpensive, and work together to repel and kill flying insects like mosquitoes, midges, flies, and gnats.


👩‍🔬 Step-by-Step Preparation:

1. Make a Clove Extract

  • In a small saucepan, bring the 200 ml of water to a boil.
  • Add the 20 cloves and boil for about 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, cover the pan, and let the mixture steep for 5 minutes to intensify the aroma and benefits.

2. Dissolve the Mothballs

  • Pour the warm clove infusion into a bowl.
  • Add the mothballs and stir until they are fully dissolved.
  • Tip: Crush the mothballs slightly beforehand to speed up the process.

3. Mix Everything Together

  • Transfer the mixture into a clean, empty PET bottle or any container with a lid.
  • Add the vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap.
  • Shake the bottle thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.

4. Apply Where Needed

  • Pour the final solution into a spray bottle.
  • Spray generously in areas where insects gather:
    • Around doors and windows
    • Near trash cans
    • In dark corners
    • On curtains, screens, and porch areas

✅ Why It Works:

  • Clove is a natural insect repellent with strong antibacterial properties.
  • Mothballs release a vapor that drives away insects (use with caution in well-ventilated areas).
  • Alcohol and vinegar help disinfect surfaces and enhance the effectiveness.
  • Dish soap breaks down insect shells and adds staying power to the spray.

⚠️ Safety Tips:

  • Keep out of reach of children and pets.
  • Avoid spraying on food, cooking surfaces, or directly on the skin.
  • Always ventilate the room after spraying, especially if using mothballs.
  • Do a patch test before applying to fabrics or surfaces to avoid discoloration.

🌿 Final Thoughts:

This homemade insect spray is affordable, powerful, and eco-friendly. With ingredients already in your kitchen or bathroom, you can create a solution that helps protect your home naturally—without harsh commercial chemicals.

2,134 thoughts on “Homemade Insect Repellent That Actually Works”

  1. Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog.
    Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal
    but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start.
    Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thank you

    Reply
  2. Everyone deserves comfort tranquility flourishing environments cultivated nurturing atmospheres regardless where reside hence importance consistency evident through experiences shared reminding us power positivity creates lasting impressions shaping carpet cleaning

    Reply
  3. 1. Kijk, eindelijk een casino gevonden met een eerlijke no deposit bonus! Geen gedoe met onzin inzetregels, gewoon ff proberen zonder te storten. Echt top voor beginners zoals ik.

    2. Eerlijk is eerlijk, die 30x wagering blijft een dingetje Extra hints

    Reply
  4. Making sure we hire licensed professionals is key – anyone have suggestions for outstanding contractors within this region such as experienced          ‍      ‍         ⠀⠀                      ⠀⠀⡀ ⁤⁤⠀⠀⠀⡀⠀⡀⠀⡀⠀⡀⠀⠀⠀⡀⠀⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ safety in high-altitude roofing

    Reply
  5. Totally agree with you on Rephrase AI – it really nails the balance between sounding natural and not over-robotic. I’ve been using Kroolo’s Natural mode recently, and honestly, I was surprised how smooth the results were compared to other tools I’ve tried get more info

    Reply
  6. Thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent engaging with material provided—the actionable steps outlined make it easy anyone connect directly skilled professionals dedicated solely towards resolving pesky issues arising posed by unwanted visitors swiftly google.com

    Reply
  7. Power Plumbing Heating & Air made finding a reliable plumber in Anaheim so easy, and their service exceeded my expectations.
    I am so happy with Power Plumbing Heating & Air, the best plumber Anaheim could offer, and their team was so friendly plumber

    Reply
  8. Power Plumbing Heating & Air made finding a reliable plumber in Anaheim so easy, and their service exceeded my expectations.
    I am so happy with Power Plumbing Heating & Air, the best plumber Anaheim could offer, and their team was so friendly plumber anaheim

    Reply
  9. Power Plumbing Heating & Air made finding a reliable plumber in Anaheim so easy, and their service exceeded my expectations.
    I am so happy with Power Plumbing Heating & Air, the best plumber Anaheim could offer, and their team was so friendly plumber near me

    Reply
  10. Power Plumbing Heating & Air made finding a reliable plumber in Anaheim so easy, and their service exceeded my expectations.
    I am so happy with Power Plumbing Heating & Air, the best plumber Anaheim could offer, and their team was so friendly plumber

    Reply
  11. 1. Look, I totally get where you’re coming from with using AI tools in the classroom. Between you and me, I’ve been experimenting with them for a semester now, and yeah – it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster website

    Reply
  12. Power Plumbing Heating & Air made finding a reliable plumber in Anaheim so easy, and their service exceeded my expectations.
    I am so happy with Power Plumbing Heating & Air, the best plumber Anaheim could offer, and their team was so friendly plumber

    Reply
  13. Power Plumbing Heating & Air made finding a reliable plumber in Anaheim so easy, and their service exceeded my expectations.
    I am so happy with Power Plumbing Heating & Air, the best plumber Anaheim could offer, and their team was so friendly plumber

    Reply
  14. Power Plumbing Heating & Air made finding a reliable plumber in Anaheim so easy, and their service exceeded my expectations.
    I am so happy with Power Plumbing Heating & Air, the best plumber Anaheim could offer, and their team was so friendly plumber

    Reply
  15. Power Plumbing Heating & Air made finding a reliable plumber in Anaheim so easy, and their service exceeded my expectations.
    I am so happy with Power Plumbing Heating & Air, the best plumber Anaheim could offer, and their team was so friendly plumber

    Reply
  16. Power Plumbing Heating & Air made finding a reliable plumber in Anaheim so easy, and their service exceeded my expectations.
    I am so happy with Power Plumbing Heating & Air, the best plumber Anaheim could offer, and their team was so friendly plumber

    Reply
  17. Local SEO gets overlooked, but those map packs can drive serious leads. Optimizing GBP, citations, and localized content is key. For anyone needing a local SEO playbook, SEO Agency provides step-by-step guidance and measurable results.

    Reply
  18. Great insights on on-page SEO! I’ve seen major gains by tightening title tags and internal linking. For anyone auditing pages, don’t forget to track changes and measure impact over 2–4 weeks. Here’s a resource I’ve been using: SEO Agency

    Reply
  19. I just recently purchased my brand-new smart device from a regional shop, and the experience was wonderful! I love how well-informed the staff were about the latest designs. If you’re looking for a terrific selection, take a look at free phones !

    Reply

Leave a Comment