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how to get rid of mosquitoes inside the house naturally

To get rid of mosquitoes inside the house naturally, combine three things: repel them, trap/kill the ones indoors, and stop them breeding around your home.

Quick Scoop

  • Use essential oils (citronella, lemon eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, neem) as sprays or diffusers to repel mosquitoes indoors.
  • Keep mosquito‑repelling plants like citronella, basil, lavender, tulsi, mint, lemongrass, and marigold near doors and windows.
  • Set simple vinegar or sugar‑water traps to lure and drown mosquitoes already inside.
  • Burn natural materials like dried neem leaves (where safe) or use citronella/lemongrass candles to clear rooms in the evening.
  • Eliminate standing water and use window screens, nets, and fans so new mosquitoes don’t keep coming in.

1. Natural repellents you can use today

These methods push mosquitoes away without conventional chemical sprays.

Essential oil room sprays

Many plants produce scents that mosquitoes dislike, and their essential oils concentrate those scents.

You can make a simple indoor spray:

  • Take a spray bottle.
  • Add roughly 1 cup clean water.
  • Add 10–20 drops total of one or more essential oils:
    • Citronella
    • Lemon eucalyptus
    • Lavender
    • Peppermint
    • Tea tree
    • Neem
  • Add a teaspoon of mild liquid soap (helps the oil disperse).
  • Shake before every use and lightly mist: curtains, corners, under tables, near windows and doors (avoid fine wood, screens that stain, and pets’ bedding until you test a small area).

People often also spray a diluted mix (like lavender or tea tree in water) lightly on exposed skin as a personal repellent; always patch‑test first and avoid eyes, mouth, and broken skin.

Diffusers and evaporating bowls

If you don’t want to spray surfaces:

  • Use an electric diffuser with citronella, lavender, or eucalyptus oil in living rooms and bedrooms.
  • Or place a bowl of warm water with a few drops of essential oil somewhere safe; as it evaporates, it gently scents the room.

Neem and coconut oil on skin

Traditional tips from India use neem oil — either alone or mixed with coconut oil — on exposed skin as a natural repellent and mild insecticide.

  • Mix a small amount of neem oil into cold‑pressed coconut oil (start with a low ratio, like 1 part neem to 5–10 parts coconut, because neem is very strong‑smelling).
  • Apply to ankles, feet, and arms before bed; keep away from eyes and mouth.

2. Mosquito‑repelling plants inside the house

Houseplants won’t magically clear a heavy infestation, but they help reduce mosquito activity around key entry points.

Good options:

  • Citronella (or citronella‑type scented geraniums)
  • Lavender
  • Basil and tulsi (holy basil)
  • Mint
  • Lemongrass
  • Marigolds
  • Catnip

How to use them effectively:

  • Place pots near windows, balcony doors, and other openings so they form a scented “barrier”.
  • Gently crush a leaf between your fingers occasionally to release more aroma.
  • Avoid over‑watering; soggy soil can become a breeding site for other insects and gnats.

3. DIY natural traps to catch mosquitoes

Repellents are good, but trapping the mosquitoes that are already in the room helps you sleep better.

Simple vinegar & sugar dish trap

A popular home method uses apple cider vinegar, sugar, and a bit of soap.

  • Take a shallow dish or bowl.
  • Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.
  • Add a spoon or two of sugar to attract insects.
  • Add a few drops of liquid dish soap and stir gently (this breaks the surface tension, so insects sink).
  • Place the bowl near windows, under a lamp, or where you usually see mosquitoes and flying bugs.

Mosquitoes and other small insects are drawn to the smell and get trapped in the liquid.

Sugar‑yeast bottle trap (more heavy duty)

Another classic DIY trap uses a plastic bottle and yeast to create carbon dioxide, which mosquitoes follow.

  • Cut a plastic bottle roughly in the middle.
  • Warm about 1 cup water, mix in 2–3 tablespoons sugar; let it cool to lukewarm.
  • Add 1 teaspoon dry yeast (do not stir too much).
  • Pour into the bottom half of the bottle.
  • Invert the top half like a funnel and tape it onto the bottom.
  • Wrap the bottle with dark paper or cloth (mosquitoes prefer dark hiding spots).
  • Place the trap in a corner of the room away from where you sit or sleep.

This works best at night in still corners, and you may need a couple of them in larger rooms.

4. Gentle “smoke” and candles (use with caution)

In many places, people rely on plant‑based smoke or candles rather than chemical coils.

Neem leaves, coconut husk and similar traditions

Some households burn small amounts of dried neem leaves or coconut husk in a safe container to create a short burst of mosquito‑repelling smoke.

If you try this:

  • Only do it in a fire‑safe metal/earthen container.
  • Keep it away from curtains, wood, pets, and children.
  • Close doors and windows for a few minutes while it burns so the smoke lingers.
  • Then ventilate the room properly after you’re done.

Neem smoke and vapour can drive mosquitoes out of the room, but sensitive people may find any smoke irritating, so listen to your body.

Citronella or lemongrass candles

Natural wax candles scented with citronella, lemongrass, or similar oils help mask the human scent mosquitoes use to find you.

  • Light them in the evening near windowsills, by the bed (with full fire safety), or on balconies.
  • They are especially helpful if you’re sitting in one place reading or working.

5. Night‑time bedroom strategy (step‑by‑step)

Putting several natural methods together at night makes the biggest difference.

  1. Block entry first
    • Close doors and windows during peak mosquito hours (usually dusk) or use fine mesh screens.
 * Check for small gaps around AC units, vents, or broken screens.
  1. Flush out existing mosquitoes
    • Run a pedestal or ceiling fan; mosquitoes are weak fliers and avoid strong air movement.
    • Use a natural spray with citronella, lavender, or neem in corners, under the bed, behind curtains, and near the ceiling where they rest.
  1. Protect your bed zone
    • Hang a mosquito net if possible; it’s one of the most effective non‑chemical methods.
    • Light a citronella or lemongrass candle for a short while before sleep (then extinguish for safety).
 * Apply a light layer of diluted neem or essential‑oil body blend on exposed skin, avoiding eyes and mouth.
  1. Use traps in the room
    • Keep a vinegar‑sugar dish or bottle trap on the floor away from the bed so mosquitoes are drawn there instead of you.

6. Stopping mosquitoes at the source

Natural control isn’t just about what you spray — it’s about changing the environment so mosquitoes have nowhere to breed.

Key steps:

  • Remove standing water
    • Empty plant saucers, buckets, old tyres, and anything outside or on balconies that collect water, at least every 2–3 days.
* Scrub birdbaths or pet water bowls regularly.
  • Fix drainage issues
    • Check for dripping taps, AC outlets dripping onto ledges, and blocked gutters.
    • Even a small bowl of “forgotten” water can turn into a mosquito breeding chamber.
  • Use natural deterrents outdoors too
    • Grow lemongrass, marigold, mint, tulsi, and citronella in balcony pots and near doors so fewer mosquitoes reach your windows.

7. A short illustration: one‑room plan

Imagine a single bedroom where mosquitoes keep biting at night.

  • In the afternoon, you remove any standing water on the balcony and around the building entrance.
  • At dusk, you close windows or switch to using ones with screens, and turn on a fan over the bed area.
  • You mist corners and curtains with a lavender–citronella spray, then place a small vinegar‑sugar trap in a far corner of the room.
  • You light a citronella candle on a stable surface for 30–40 minutes before bed, then blow it out.
  • You sleep under a net and apply a mild neem–coconut oil mix to your ankles and arms.

This stacked approach usually cuts bites dramatically without conventional insecticides.

8. When to go beyond home remedies

Even natural methods have limits.

  • If you notice many mosquitoes daily despite these steps, there might be a major breeding site nearby (clogged drains, construction sites, large water storage). Local authorities or a professional service may be needed.
  • If there are outbreaks of mosquito‑borne diseases (like dengue or malaria) in your area, public‑health guidance sometimes recommends treated nets or other measures; follow local health advice first.

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Learn how to get rid of mosquitoes inside the house naturally with essential oils, plants, DIY traps, and smart prevention for a safer, chemical‑free home.

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