DIY Patio Mosquito Repellent Ideas that Actually Look Nice!

Summer evenings on the patio can be magical, filled with laughter, soft lights, and fun conversation. But nothing can spoil the mood faster than a swarm of pesky mosquitoes! Luckily, there are plenty of DIY solutions to keep those bugs at bay that won’t compromise your patio’s style. From beautiful luminaries to lush citronella plants, let me share some of the best backyard mosquito repellent ideas you can make on a budget. And they look great!

DIY Mosquito Repellent Luminary

Let’s start with a crowd favorite for natural mosquito control: DIY mosquito repellent luminaries. These charming jars not only repel mosquitoes but also add a lovely, warm glow to your patio.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Mason jars
• Water
• Essential oils (lavender, citronella, and lemongrass are perfect choices)
• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, or mint)
• Lemon and lime slices
• Floating candles (or votives)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Ingredients: First, gather your essential oils, fresh herbs, and citrus slices. Lavender, citronella, and lemongrass are known for their mosquito-repelling properties, while fresh herbs add a fragrant and appealing touch. Slice your lemons and limes thinly.
2. Assemble Your Luminary: Next, place a few sprigs of herbs and a couple of lemon and lime slices into each jar. Fill each mason jar with water, leaving about an inch at the top. Add several drops of each essential oil.
3. Add the Candle: Finally, gently place a floating candle on top of the water in each jar. When you’re ready to use them, light the candles with a butane lighter. The heat will help disperse the essential oils, creating a natural mosquito repellent.
4. Display Your Luminaries: Arrange these jars around your patio. Group them on tables or line them along the edges of your seating area. The soft glow and aromatic blend will enhance your patio’s vibe while keeping mosquitoes away.

I made three of these luminaries and set them out on our patio, and they’ve been a hit. They look so pretty, and the mosquitoes have definitely kept their distance.

Dollar Store Solution

For a budget-friendly option, head to your local dollar store. Simple yet effective, these solutions are great for anyone looking to keep costs low.

What You Need:

• Citronella candles from the dollar store
• Decorative candle holders or jars (optional)

Instructions:

1. First, Grab Some Citronella Candles: Dollar stores often carry citronella candles for a steal. These are infused with citronella oil, known for repelling mosquitoes.
2. Decorate if Desired: Next, place your citronella candles in decorative holders or jars for an added touch of style and safety.
3. Strategic Placement: Now, position these candles around your patio to create a mosquito-repelling perimeter. Place them on tables, hang them from hooks, or line them along the railing.

Even though I haven’t visited the dollar store since February, I had a few citronella candles from last year that I could set out. They’ve been a lifesaver! Simple, effective, and they blend nicely with the rest of my patio decor.

Citronella Plant to Repel Mosquitoes

This year, one of my favorite finds at the local garden center was a large citronella plant. Not only is it an excellent mosquito repellent, but it also adds a lush, green touch to your patio.

Benefits and Placement:

Citronella plants naturally repel mosquitoes due to their strong scent. I placed mine on the storage unit between our patio sofas, and it’s amazing how effective it has been at keeping mosquitoes at bay. Plus, its lush green look adds a lovely touch to the patio decor.

Other Plants to Consider to use as a Natural Backyard Mosquito Repellent:

• Marigolds: Bright and cheerful, marigolds release a scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant.
• Scented Geraniums: Especially the lemon-scented variety, these are beautiful and effective mosquito repellents.
• Mint: A hardy herb that smells great and keeps mosquitoes away.
• Lavender: Its soothing scent is pleasant for us but repels mosquitoes.

Consider planting these in pots around your patio to create a natural, beautiful defense against mosquitoes without using chemicals.

Make a DIY Mosquito Repellent Chandelier for Your Patio

For a stunning and functional decor piece, try making a mosquito repellent chandelier. This DIY project not only looks beautiful but also disperses mosquito-repelling scents. You can find the full step-by-step tutorial for this chandelier with photos here.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Cotton fabric strips
• Essential oils (lavender, citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, lemon eucalyptus, rosemary, tea tree, and geranium)
• Large brass ring
• Floral wire
• Faux hanging greenery stems
• Small brass ring
• String

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fabric: Tear the cotton fabric into 2-inch wide strips. The frayed edges add a rustic charm.
2. Add Essential Oils: Sprinkle lavender and citronella essential oils onto the fabric strips. These oils are known for their mosquito-repellent properties. Other oils like lemongrass, peppermint, and tea tree also work well.
3. Assemble the Chandelier: Tie each fabric strip onto the large brass ring using lark head knots, spacing them evenly.
4. Add Greenery: Use floral wire to attach faux hanging greenery stems to the ring, adding a lush garden feel.
5. Create the Hanger: Attach string to the small brass ring and hang it from the larger hoop to create a chandelier hanger.
6. Hang It Up: Suspend your chandelier over your patio. The fabric strips will catch the breeze, releasing the essential oils’ scent and repelling mosquitoes.

This chandelier not only helps keep bugs away but also adds a cozy, whimsical touch to your patio.

More DIY Backyard Mosquito Repellent Ideas to Try

Use an Outdoor Fan

Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so setting up an outdoor fan can help keep them away. Plus, it keeps you cool during those warm summer evenings.

Plant Bug-Repellent Flowers

Consider planting flowers like citronella grass, bee balm, lavender, lemon thyme, marigold, basil, catnip, and peppermint in pots around your patio. These plants not only add beauty and fragrance but are also natural repellents for mosquitos and other pests.

Avoid Standing Water

Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitos. Ensure there are no stagnant water sources like rain barrels or bird baths left untouched for too long in your patio area.

Invest in Bug Zappers or Mosquito Traps

Consider investing in mosquito zapper lanterns or traps. These devices attract and kill mosquitoes, providing an additional layer of protection. The Thermacell Patio Shield from Amazon has great reviews so it might be a smart investment! Thermacell effectively keeps mosquitoes up to 20FT away and it’s easy to use making it one of the best backyard mosquito repellent tools out there. The batteries for this one last 5.5 hours.

DIY Mosquito Repellent Spray

Mixing your own insect repellent bug spray is easy and effective. Combine 1 part oil of lemon eucalyptus to 10 parts sunflower oil or witch hazel in a spray bottle. Researchers from the University of Florida caution against using this on children under 3 years of age, and it’s always important to use essential oils around kids and pets carefully.

Watch my YouTube video with patio decorating ideas + mosquito repellent hacks:

Creating a mosquito-free patio doesn’t mean sacrificing style. With these DIY mosquito repellent ideas, you can enjoy a beautiful and functional outdoor space all summer long and suffer less annoying mosquito bites! From lovely luminaries to lush plant arrangements, these solutions will keep mosquitoes at bay while enhancing your patio’s look. So get creative, enjoy the process, and say goodbye to those pesky mosquitoes!

Now tell me: Are you planning to decorate your patio for summer this year? Have any amazing mosquito repellent tricks?