History of Herbal Repellents

• Herbal crops and tinctures have been used for thousands of years to repel insects, and the list of herbs that are effective repellents is long. Their effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes and other insects has been scientifically demonstrated. In 2001, an article was published in Science Daily's website about the University of Iowa's research on catnip as better mosquito repellent than Deet.
  
  

Best Herbal Mosquito Repellents

• Mosquitoes do not like the scent of catnip, garlic, pennyroyal, rosemary, lemon grass or basil. The essential oils can be mixed with a carrier liquid to put on the pet's fur or collar to repel a variety of insects, including fleas, mosquitoes and flies.
  
  

Making the Compounds

• Infusions of these herbs will repel many insects and the carriers can be oil or alcohol based, like witch hazel or rubbing alcohol and mineral oil. Essential oils are placed in the carrier liquid and shaken to distribute the essential oils. Repellents made with fresh herbs are typically simmered in water for 30 minutes and sit overnight, after which they are strained and put in spray bottles. They are stored in the refrigerator and applied when needed.
  
  

Putting the Compounds on Pets

• Most dogs wear collars and the stronger infusions can be placed on the dog's collar or the liquids can be sprayed on their coats. Essential oils, even when they are diluted, are too strong for cats and can be toxic to them. Hydrosols are byproducts of making essential oils and they can be used safely on a cats' fur or collars. The hydrosols are as effective as the essential oils in repelling mosquitoes on cats.
  
  

Cultivating the Herbs

• Besides being placed on the pet, the herbs can be grown in gardens, pots or planters. They will keep some of the mosquitoes at bay, and are also attractive additions to any yard or patio. The top mosquito repellents that are easy to grow in pots are rosemary, basil, catnip and lemon grass. They can even be brought in the house in the winter and placed in a sunny window, and taken out in the spring to discourage mosquitoes from flying into your patio or yard.