How to repel mosquitos: really effective tips

Mosquitos are among the most invasive insects of our summers. If you're looking for ways to keep mosquitos away from your home, garden, or bedroom, you've come to the right place. At Garden Reclaimer, we make innovative and eco-responsible mosquito repellent terminals, and we know better than anyone what really works against these insects. In this article, you will find concrete tips, tested and classified by effectiveness, to repel mosquitoes permanently.

Why mosquitos are coming into your home: what really attracts them

Before you know how to repel mosquitos, you need to understand what attracts them. Mosquitos are attracted to several very specific biological and environmental signals. In fact, they detect exhaled CO2 up to 50 meters away, making every human being a natural target.

Here are the main factors that attract a mosquito to you:

• The CO2 : exhaled during breathing, it is the main attraction signal detected by mosquitoes.
• Body heat : high-temperature areas such as the neck, wrists, and ankles are the preferred targets.
• Perspiration : lactic acids and body odors amplify attraction.
• Stagnant water : a flower pot, a bucket or a terrace trough are enough to create a breeding ground.
• The dark clothes : mosquitoes are visually attracted to dark contrasts.

Note that the tiger mosquito (Aedes Albopictus), an invasive species identified in more than 70 French departments in 2024, is particularly aggressive during the day. Understanding these attraction mechanisms is the first step in reducing the number of bites.

What plants repel mosquitos naturally?

Vegetable solutions are among the most accessible repellents to scare away mosquitoes without the use of chemicals. Several plants emit aromatic compounds that disrupt the nervous system of mosquitoes and mask the olfactory signals that attract them.

The most effective plants against mosquitoes are:

• Lemongrass : lemongrass essential oil recognized as a natural repellent, effective in a diffuser or in a pot near living areas.
• Pink geranium : its lemony scent repels mosquitoes and also flies; ideal in a pot on a balcony.
• Melissa : its leaves and crumpled stems release a lemony scent that is very dissuasive.
• Basil : a few leaves arranged in a pot on a window sill constitute a simple olfactory barrier.
• The mint : very effective, it is also useful in cooking.
• Thyme : robust and versatile plant, effective against mosquitoes as an outdoor repellent.
• Eucalyptus : lemon eucalyptus essences are recognized by the WHO as effective repellents.

Concretely, placing these potted plants at the entrance of doors and windows is a method that is both useful and pleasant and inexpensive. On the other hand, their effectiveness remains limited in time and space: they do not replace a complete mosquito repellent device.

How do you use lemongrass and essential oils against mosquitoes?

Lemongrass is probably the best known natural solution for fighting mosquitoes. Its active ingredient, citronellal, masks body odors that attract mosquitoes and disturb their orientation. When used correctly, it is an effective repellent in a limited range of action.

Here are the main forms of use:

• Citronella candles : to be placed in a circle around your outdoor space; effective in light wind.
• Essential oil in diffuser : lemongrass essential diffused indoors creates an olfactory barrier in a medium-sized room.
• Cloves in a lemon : cut a lime in half, prick cloves into the lemon halves and place them on the table. This traditional trick works as an adjunct.
• Lavender : in essential oil or in plants, it effectively complements lemongrass.

Therefore, combining several forms of use (candle + diffuser + plants) multiplies the repellent effect. Note that these ephemeral solutions require regular renewal to remain effective.

Does the fan repel mosquitos?

Using a fan is a tip that is often underestimated, yet very effective against mosquitoes. Indeed, mosquitoes do not like air currents and are unable to fly properly in an air flow greater than 1 m/s. This is why mosquitoes do not like well-ventilated spaces.

You can also use a fan in two complementary ways:

• In direct orientation : direct the flow of air to exposed areas (arms, legs, face) to disorient the mosquito before it reaches the skin.
• In general breakdown : ventilating rooms and living spaces creates permanent air currents that make the environment inhospitable for these insects.

The advantage of the fan is twofold: it prevents bites while refreshing the space. For bedrooms, it is the most odourless and immediate solution. On the other hand, it does not treat the problem at the source and does not reduce the mosquito population in the garden.

How do you get rid of mosquitos with soapy water and traps?

Getting rid of mosquitoes sustainably involves acting on their reproductive cycle. Soapy water is a simple and very effective technique to neutralize larvae : by adding a few drops of liquid soap to stagnant water points, you break the surface tension and asphyxiate the larvae.

To go further, mosquito traps are a complementary method:

• CO2 trap : a mosquito trap that imitates human breathing (CO2 + heat + humidity) attracts and captures mosquitoes within a radius of several meters. It is the most effective way to actively reduce the population around a house.
• Sugar water trap : a mixture of water, sugar and yeast in a cut bottle produces CO2 and attracts mosquitoes. Economical solution, but with limited capacity.
• Soapy water in diffusion : to be poured into saucers, flower pots and any stagnant water tank to check and neutralize breeding areas.

Installing a mosquito net: the most reliable mechanical solution for rooms

Among all the available solutions, installing a mosquito net remains the most reliable mechanical method for protecting bedrooms and living spaces. A well-placed mosquito net does not allow any insects to pass through, without chemicals, without odor, and without daily maintenance.

The most common forms are:

• Window mosquito net : to be attached to the frame, it allows you to ventilate the rooms while blocking mosquitoes.
• Mosquito net : particularly useful for young children or in areas with a high density of tiger mosquitoes.
• Door mosquito net : magnetic curtain or fixed frame, it protects the most frequented entrances.

Therefore, combining a mosquito net on your windows with a natural outdoor repellent is the most consistent approach to avoid bites on a daily basis. This combination is also effective against flies and other flying insects.

The mosquito trap: how to get rid of mosquitoes permanently in the garden

All of the above tips help to reduce exposure to mosquitoes, but they remain ephemeral solutions or solutions with limited scope. To permanently rid an outdoor space of mosquitoes, it is necessary to act on the mosquito population itself, not only on individual attraction.

At Garden Reclaimer, we have developed a mosquito trap made in France, designed to actively reduce mosquito populations in a garden or outdoor space. Our mosquito repellent device combines several attraction mechanisms (CO2, heat, pheromones) to capture female mosquitoes before they bite. Unlike conventional repellents, our mosquito repellent works continuously, without requiring insecticide or chemical products. It is also effective against tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus), whose progress in French urban areas has been documented by ANSES for several years.

In 2025, we note in the field that users of our terminal observed a significant reduction in the number of mosquito bites within the first weeks of use, including in heavily infested gardens. It is the most complete way to permanently get rid of mosquitos outside.

FAQ — Frequently asked questions about how to repel mosquitos

How do you repel mosquitos naturally without chemicals?

To repel mosquitoes naturally, the most effective solutions are repellent plants (lemongrass, geranium, lemon balm, basil, thyme, eucalyptus), essential oils in diffusers and the elimination of stagnant water points. These methods work by masking odors that attract mosquitoes or by releasing compounds that mosquitoes don't like. In practice, combining two or three of these approaches multiplies the effect: arrange pots of lemongrass and rose geranium around your terrace, use an essential oil diffuser indoors, and check the saucers in your flower pots regularly to avoid stagnant water. These tips require no insecticide and are safe for children and pets.

What attracts mosquitos to humans?

Mosquitoes are attracted mainly to the CO2 exhaled during breathing, which can be detected up to 50 meters away. They also react to body heat, perspiration odors (especially lactic acids), and the visual contrasts of dark clothing. Mosquitos are also attracted to humid environments and shady resting places near standing water. Some people are more targeted than others because of their blood type, sweat rate, or diet. The tiger mosquito, a particularly aggressive species, is also sensitive to the movement and heat of exposed skin areas. Reducing these signals (light clothing, avoiding intense physical exertion in the evening, eliminating stagnant water) can significantly reduce the number of bites.

How do you keep mosquitos away in a bedroom?

To repel mosquitoes in a bedroom, several actions in combination are very effective. Installing a mosquito net on windows is the most reliable method: it blocks access without chemicals or odors. Using a fan creates air currents that make the space inhospitable for mosquitos. A lemongrass or lavender essential oil diffuser placed in the room is also an effective repellent for bedrooms. Avoid bright lights in the evening, windows that are open without protection, and dark clothing left on the ground. For nights in highly infested areas, a mosquito net is still the best way to spend a night without mosquito bites.

Is the tiger mosquito more difficult to repel than other mosquitos?

Yes, the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is actually more difficult to repel than the common mosquito. It is active during the day, unlike nocturnal mosquitoes, which makes indoor repellents less relevant for outdoor protection. It flies low, close to the ground, and primarily targets ankles and feet. Ephemeral solutions like citronella candles have a more limited effectiveness against it. To fight against tiger mosquitoes sustainably, the suppression of larval sites (stagnant water in even very small quantities) is essential, combined with a continuously active CO2 mosquito trap. In France, its presence is reported in more than 70 departments according to data from ANSES and the vector surveillance network.

Is citronella really effective against mosquitoes?

Citronella is a recognized natural repellent, but its effectiveness against mosquitoes depends on how it is used. In essential oil diffused in a closed or semi-closed space, it is effective in getting rid of mosquitoes in the room and in deterring newcomers. Citronella candles offer protection of about 1 to 3 meters outside, for a period of 2 to 4 hours depending on the conditions. On the other hand, lemongrass does not reduce the mosquito population: it is a repellent, not a trap. For diseases such as dengue or chikungunya, transmitted by the tiger mosquito, lemongrass alone is not enough to guarantee complete protection. It must be integrated into a more global strategy including traps and the suppression of breeding sites.

Is there a sustainable solution to get rid of mosquitos in the garden?

Yes, it is possible to get rid of mosquitoes permanently in a garden by combining two levels of action. The first level is preventive: remove all sources of stagnant water (saucers, clogged gutters, uncovered reservoirs), plant repellent species and maintain vegetation. The second level is active: use a CO2 mosquito trap, such as the mosquito trap developed by Garden Reclaimer, made in France and designed to capture female mosquitoes continuously. This combined approach makes it possible to permanently rid an outdoor space without the use of insecticides. According to our field experience, the results are visible in two to four weeks in the majority of treated gardens, including those infested by the tiger mosquito.

‍

Ready to get rid of mosquitos?

The tips in this article give you the basics to understand, prevent, and act effectively against mosquitoes. But if you want to switch to a structured, sustainable and chemical-free solution, the Garden Reclaimer mosquito trap is designed exactly for that.

Discover our device and find the configuration adapted to your space on garden-reclaimer.com.