Mosquito Bite Remedies

| Modified on Oct 05, 2024
Vitamin B
Posted by Phil (Mt Juliet, Tn) on 09/07/2020
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

VITAMIN B FOR MOSQUITOES

I used to attract Mosquitoes. I had Banana Trees in Kona with big leaves that held rainwater at the leaf stem. When I went near the trees in the rainy season, they would swarm all around me. I used skin so soft to repel them. That works if you put it on your skin every day. I was told about vitamin B and started taking a full complex of vitamin B, two tablets every day. That stopped the Mosquito bites. Some would swarm near, and occasionally one would land. But no bites. After a while, I reduced to one tablet every day. I went about ten years without one bite taking complete vitamin B every day. The only exception was when I was moving recently, I received a mosquito bite before I moved, and after I moved, I received a second bite. Vitamin B is a stress vitamin, and the move was more stressful for me.

Our granddaughter came to Hawaii once a year during the summer, and immediately she was attacked around the Banana plants. We gave her two vitamin B a day for three days. After that, we reduced it to one pill per day. She wasn't bothered again until she went home to Tennessee. After a few bites at home, she started taking vitamin B, successfully deterring Mosquitos.

I know a few tests that have been made discounting the effect. It has worked for me. Good luck.

High Dose B1 (Thiamine)
Posted by PayItForward (Travelling) on 08/03/2021 58 posts
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Edited 6/10/24 at 10:14 pm
Mosquito Bite Prevention Treatment:

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure... I had dreadful reactions for 30+ yrs. Swelling and incomprehensible itching. The kind that can drive you half mad and make you want to claw a hole in your body. And I thought I'd tried everything over the decades; every potion, lotion, even hot spoons. Nothing worked. If there was one of these devil tormentors within a 10 mile radius it seemed to find me. I finally found relief in Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 400-500 mg taken daily, and no less! The remedy came from a pharmacy in Thailand. Allegedly mozzys do not like the smell, though we can't smell it. It shocked me it worked so well. I got the odd bite but it didn't swell, remained tiny, and barely an itch. Before I'd have 12+ welts with tormenting itching 24/7. Now I might only get one, and no welts and no bother.

Friends who travel in hot mozzy infested areas and countries were also impressed too. On annual trips, they would start taking this one week before their trip. But taking the right dose seems vital - If the dosage was skimped on (300 mg or less) it did NOT work. Some people take it in divided doses am/pm but I just took it all at once, so can't comment if that's more effective. I've also read that Vitamin B1 is a myth and is not a systemic mosquito repellent. However, I can attest it's worked for me and others when nothing else did.


Hot Spoon Remedy
Posted by Sara (Texas) on 07/04/2014
★★★★★

Hi, A nurse told us about this remedy for mosquito bites and my family tried it and SURE ENOUGH, IT WORKED. Take a spoon from your kitchen and run hot water over it to make it hot, then apply it on the bite until it is no longer hot. We applied it twice to the bite. The itch went away and so did the bite. I had the bite at night and the next morning when I woke up, I noticed that I could not even see where the bite had been. Next time I get a mosquito bite, I am going to apply the hot spoon to the bite just once to see if it still works with one application. I love earth clinic, thank you all for sharing natural ways to help others.

Cucumber
Posted by Trista (Sydney, Australia ) on 03/15/2022
★★★★★

My daughter recently got feasted on overnight by a mosquito in her room.

She had started eagerly scratching at one of her bites so I came to this site and decided to try Cucumber.

It worked immediately... no more scratching and applied it to all 9 bites and she didn't scratch at the others at all. I applied it the day of and yesterday and haven't applied it today seeing if the itch has been kept at bay.

Cucumber... thumbs up!!


Vitamin B
Posted by Anita (Outside U.S./Canada) on 09/13/2020 8 posts
★★★★★

I have always been a mosquito magnet, and get horrible allergic reactions to the bites. Skin so soft is hard to get hold of here, so I'm saving the dregs for special occasions. This past week, I twice found a mosquito in my apartment, swiftly despatched each time. But when I looked for the inevitable bites, I couldn't fine any. This seemed impossibly lucky but now I know the reason - I recently started taking a Vitamin B complex tablet once a day. To say I'm overjoyed is an understatement!


Dishwashing Liquid
Posted by Timta (Thailand) on 09/12/2020
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

If you have pots and pans or small ponds of rainwater in your yard squirt a very small amount of any hand dishwashing liquid on them. This breaks the surface's attention of the water and mosquitos cannot land on the water to lay eggs. This trick really works and reduces mosquitos if you collect rainwater or have small ponds of water in your yard.

Dishwashing Liquid
Posted by Cjuan (Malaysia) on 09/13/2020
★★★★★

Yes, I read about that from someone who likes sitting on the veranda with her friends. She would fill a plastic basin with water and put a few drops of dish-washing liquid in it and the leave the basin on the deck. She said that she would see mossies dive into the basin and die.


Hot Spoon Remedy
Posted by Thuy (Brampton, Ontario) on 09/07/2015
★★★★★

I was going to put a post to treat mosquito bites with the back of a hot spoon, but noticed it was already posted so I'll just give it a yah! Totally reduces the itch and the swelling. Ice doesn't work nearly as well or effectively.


Coconut Oil and Lavender Oil
Posted by T (Maryland, USA) on 08/24/2012
★★★★★

Beautyberry, coconut oil and lavender to repel mosquitos...

We have a huge mosquito problem here, and thanks to the invasion of aggressive Asian Tiger mosquitoes here about 10 years ago, we get attacked all day as well as night. I don't want to be slathering on chemicals but protection is a necessity to enjoy any time in the yard. I've read of various concoctions using a variety essential oils, but didn't have any of the listed ones on hand. In desperation I added about 10 drops of lavender essential oil to a small jar filled with VCO. We dip our fingers in the jar and rub the oil on any exposed skin and around the back of the neck to help keep them away from the face. So far it seems to be doing the trick, and of course the VCO is also a nice skin treatment :)

I'm looking to get some beautyberry bushes to plant as I've just read that they are a great repellent - you can crush the leaves and rub them on and it's apparently as effective as DEET. It also is 100% effective against ticks. In the meantime, my lavender/VCO mixture is definitely helping. I've also seen the info in spraying Listerine around the yard and that does seem to help as well.

Turmeric
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 10/05/2024
★★★★★

My daughter asked what to do for her son. He had some mosquito bites and he was scratching them until they bled. He is a toddler.

I suggested turmeric powder. She gave him 1/8-1/4 teaspoon once or twice a day mixed into food. (Yogurt, chili, whatever.) She said it worked wonderfully. This wasn't placebo as he was too young to even know he was taking it.

A bonus is that turmeric is a good remedy for infection and can help open bites from getting infected.

~Mama to Many~


Vitamin B
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 09/07/2020

Hi there Phil,

My short dissertation on Mosquitoes follows:

- Ocean cruising sailors departing New Zealand were often encouraged to take a B vitamin supplement every day to ward off mosquito bites that could cause Malaria or Dengue Fever up, in and around the South Pacific Islands. Also, to use something on the skin, of course (some of the old lotions/creams had nasty stuff in them though! ). If the night-time mozzies didn't give you Malaria, then the day-time team would give you the Dengue Fever or maybe you could cop a double whammy!!?? Along with the pesky droning, the annoying biting and itching afterwards, it tended to take the shine off that Dream, South Pacific holiday!

From recall, it could have been the B6 OR the B12 that was touted BUT with the B vitamins, I was given to understand that the combination B's worked better in synergy rather than separately. It seemed to work for some people. Old folklore also suggested that the reason that the EARLY Amazon River natives never got bitten, was because they never ate SUGAR and the mozzies were smart enough to be able to tell and were not attracted?! Strange, I thought a lot of sugar was grown in Brazil! Yes, banana plants (not trees please) and mosquitoes seem to go hand in hand.

But if your neighbour likes to have lots of empty flower pots or dishes lying around in their garden, these will collect moisture and be a great breeding ground for them. Especially old tyres. Oh, do I have a thing with old tyres and mozzies!! If my ankles are exposed, boy do they LOVE me! Yet they get greatly confused by my hairy arms and legs - just saying! So, I have a New Zealand made, external use only, product that has Sweet Almond Oil, Essential Oils of Eucalyptus, Lavender, Pine, Manuka, (I have posted about this one before and not just for the Honey Bees), Tea Tree (ditto)+ Lemongrass. I am unaware of the proportions (if I knew them I would bottle the stuff) but it is good for Sandflies, Mosquitoes, Midges and Black Flies a/c the label. Safe to use on chn apparently (nobody die), 100% natural -- use sparingly and often. Soothes as well as repels - what's not to like? Oh, and did I mention it smells O.K. too! The Good Oil comes at the end (at last! ). Phew!

Cheers from Down Under


Homemade Sprays
Posted by Lita209 (Sanford, Fl, USA) on 08/24/2012
★★★★★

I mix flat beer, epsom salts and mint Listerine and spray my back yard and front yard for mosquito control. The first time I heard this remedy I thought it was weird, but I tried and it really works!!! Hope someone tries it.

Vitamin B
Posted by Bessiebearse (Camp Hill, Pa.) on 09/12/2020
★★★★★

I agree. And Brewer's Yeast is high in B vitamins. I used to put it in the dog's food and it repelled mosquitoes from her.


Peppermint Oil
Posted by Ct (San Francisco, Ca) on 11/03/2018
★★★★★

Peppermint oil applied directly on mosquito bites always works for me. It relieves the itch instantly and shrinks the mark in a day or two. Smells good too.


Lisa's Mosquito Repellent Formula
Posted by NienaB (Michigan) on 07/28/2021

When using essential oils and diffusers - PLZ Watch out for pets.

Some oils are quite toxic to cats (more so) and dogs too, apparently. New warnings being issued by vets, not to be ignored.

I'd personally love to try the lavender mixed in with coconut oil but my pets LOVE love coconut oil (they try to 'clean' my legs and arms) but the lavender is a big toxin to them. So, I hardly every diffuse anymore but if I do, it's from a different room, blowing a small fan on the mist, and only for an hour.


White Vinegar
Posted by Pam E. (South-Western California) on 09/26/2022 145 posts
★★★★★

Vinegar also seems to neutralize or be an anti-inflammatory for bee & wasp stings, too! I used to swell up all around the area & turn red & be in excruciating pain for several days ... but no more since using vinegar on stings immediately!


Lisa's Mosquito Repellent Formula
Posted by Lisa (Monroe, Mi) on 08/09/2013
★★★★★

INDOOR MOSQUITO RELIEF! They say necessity is the mother of invention (well, Plato did, anyway). So, I mixed up an indoor mosquito repellent. The mosquitoes are so bad this year, we have been getting eaten alive, in our beds at night. You know those reed diffusers, for scenting a room? Time to put those babies to work! Michael, the girls and I have been using these for two nights- no more mosquito bites.

I used the information I found on here, and used citronella, lavender and lemon essential oils to make a mosquito-repelling reed diffuser. I put one next to each bed at night, and two by the king size bed. We had been getting multiple bites at night- now, no more!

Mosquito Repelling Reed Diffusers
For two diffusers:

1/2 cup water
1 1/2 oz vodka (about)
25 drops citronella essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil

Mix well; the water should turn a little cloudy (to indicate the oils have blended with the water). If the oils are still floating, add a splash more vodka. While the mixture is still agitated/mixed well, pour into two small vases. Add the reeds, let them soak for about 10 minutes. Then, flip the reeds over. I flip them before I go to bed, too (makes the scent stronger). I put one by the girls' beds, and one on either side of our king size bed.

I found little ceramic vases (must be fully glazed inside) for a dollar at my local craft store; they also had the bundles of reeds for a dollar. A small glass vase would work, too.

Lisa.

Mosquito Bite Allergy Remedies
Posted by Robin (St. Cloud, Fl) on 02/14/2013

Are you sure it wasn't a tick bite? There are some diseases like lyme disease and others that cause redness around the area and can cause some other serious side effects. You can ask your doctor for a blood test.


Coconut Oil and Lavender Oil
Posted by Jennifer (St Paul, Mn) on 09/14/2012
★★★★★

I have been using virgin coconut oil on my skin this summer simply because it makes my skin feel great. Recently I watched mosquitos hover around my arms and legs and then fly away. Everyone sitting on the patio with me was complaining about the mosquitos and they were not bothering me at all. I used to be mosquito repellent for everyone else!


Coconut Oil and Lavender Oil
Posted by Phil (Sydney, Australia) on 10/12/2012
★★★★★

I have found that a dab of Lavender Oil on a mossie bite removes the itch within about 2 - 5 minutes. I used it on my children to prevent them from scratching until they break the skin then leaving marks.

The downside is the smell. I noticed that mossies tend to stay away after application as well.

I have told many people of this who were using creams. Many disbelieved until they tried it. Now they don't use anything else.


Coconut Oil and Lavender Oil
Posted by Zark (Emerald City, The Land of Oz) on 01/25/2023
★★★★★

Lavender oil worked great for treating itchy mosquito bites. Thanks! Worked very fast and more effective than Calamine lotion :) Wife, son and myself were all bitten by the blighters.


Deet
Posted by Staff (Earth Clinic) on 08/24/2012
★☆☆☆☆

DEET really is a toxic substance, and if it weren't that our tolerance for mosquitoes is so low, we probably would have banned its use long ago. DEET was developed by the US military in 1946, if that is any indication of the low level of safety concern in the chemical's development. There are certainly more toxic insect repellents out there, and DEET is much less detrimental to birds and other forms of life than many insect-targeting chemicals, but it still is a chemical that can burn through plastics and synthetics. DEET products strongly discourage its use around the eyes and mouth or simple cuts and scrapes, and users are encouraged to wash the product off as soon as it is no longer needed. Ingestion can be fatal and use on children is discouraged. Fortunately, natural alternatives can be just as effective, and the primary advantage in DEET is simply that it is longer lasting. Multiple applications of natural repellents can overcome this advantage entirely.


Garlic
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 05/25/2024
★★★★★

Mosquitoes don't like garlic. One study in India found that people who rubbed a garlicky concoction on their arms and legs weren't bothered by the pesky buggers. When you eat garlic, an invisible layer of garlic oil seeps from your pores and creates a mosquito barrier. If you don't like the thought of eating more garlic, you can also use garlic juice to make a natural repellent.‘Mix one part garlic minced with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to 5 to 6 hours.


Bat Boxes
Posted by John (Benmore Sandton, Gauteng South Africa)

Mosquito control. Whilst I burn incense coils or sticks, a good neighborly trick that SHOULD be practiced internationally is to install Bat Boxes at regular intervals in the area. Bats consume 10,000 to 15000 insects a day (per bat). Do the community a turn!

Bat Boxes
Posted by John (Midrand Gauteng, South Africa) on 02/12/2013

I agree most wholeheartedly, but where to get a bat box. I am past my sell by date so find it difficult to manufacture and install, but yes, it is a public service and if we had a gov't for the people they would be supplied, installed and a mandatory part of Africa. John


Vitamin B
Posted by PayItForward (PNW) on 09/12/2024 58 posts

Snowfox, I think this might be it "Goodbye Sandfly Insect Repellent Spray". It has all the ingredients Michael mentioned, and in the exact order. You could also get all the oils and make your own. It'd be easy to make. You can assemble and make something like this in just 5 minutes. And the supply would last forever. The ingredients listed are always from the highest to the least so you can begin with lots of lavender and go down from there. Aside from a spray application for home, roller ball bottles are also available online and are great to carry with you on the go.


Antipruritic Device
Posted by Alex (Thessaloniki) on 09/01/2018
★★★★★

High temperature (about 50C) with an Antipruritic Device for a minute. They really decreasing swelling and itching if applied soon enough. I am very sensitive to mosquito's bite and swell a lot. With this devise I saw a huge difference. Search amazon and ebay for cheap devices.


Nigella Sativa
Posted by Stuman (Oceanside, Ca) on 12/30/2016
★★★★★

Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) has analgesic and anti inflammatory effects. N. Sativa is also known to be antibacterial.

Lightly massage 1 drop of N. Sativa oil to the mosquito bite - re-apply the oil throughout the day. After the oil application try to keep the bite clean, this means no scratching. The following day my bites are reduced in size and do not itch.


Dryer Sheet Tied to Waist
Posted by Karen (Florida, US) on 09/04/2015
★★★★★

My friend, who's 5 year old was getting eaten alive at his soccer games, just told me a remedy she heard about from another soccer mom. You tie a dryer sheet (she used bounty but any brand will probably work) on one of the belt loops like flag football. The mosquitoes don't like the smell of the dryer sheets. She said it's amazing how well it works. Thought I'd pass it on...



NEXT 
1 2 3 Next Page
Advertisement