Say Goodbye to Mosquitoes: The Powerful Clove and Vinegar Home Spray That Actually Works

Summertime often brings open windows, outdoor meals, and time spent in nature. But with it comes an annoying and sometimes dangerous guest: the mosquito. Whether you live in the city or countryside, you’ve likely fought battles with buzzing invaders — not just mosquitoes, but also ants, flies, and other persistent insects. The solution for many has been chemical sprays, plug-ins, or repellents, but these often carry their own risks, including skin irritation, headaches, and toxic fumes. Thankfully, there’s a safer, natural alternative hiding in your kitchen: ground cloves and white vinegar.

This humble but effective duo has been used in folk remedies for decades, offering a chemical-free way to repel insects while leaving your home smelling fresh and clean. Cloves have a powerful aroma and natural insecticidal properties, while vinegar acts as a carrier, preservative, and enhancer. Together, they create a simple homemade spray that not only chases away mosquitoes but also deters ants, flies, and other bugs without harming your health or the environment.

In this article, you’ll learn why this natural remedy works so well, how to make it in minutes, and how to use it effectively around your home. We’ll also share insights from Barbara O’Neill, who consistently advocates for natural, body-safe alternatives to toxic products in the home.

Why Choose Natural Mosquito Repellents?

Commercial insect repellents often rely on synthetic chemicals like DEET or permethrin. While effective, they come with drawbacks:

• Potential skin irritation or allergic reactions

• Harm to pets and small children if ingested or inhaled

• Environmental contamination when sprayed outdoors

• Risk of neurological effects with long-term exposure

Natural repellents like clove and vinegar offer a safer option, especially for families who want to avoid synthetic ingredients. They’re inexpensive, easy to make, and can be reapplied without worry.

Why Ground Cloves Work Against Mosquitoes

Cloves are more than just a spice for mulled wine or gingerbread. They’re rich in eugenol, a potent compound known for its insect-repelling and insecticidal properties. Here’s what makes cloves effective:

• Strong aroma masks the human scent that attracts mosquitoes

• Natural pesticide that deters and kills small insects upon contact

• Repels mosquitoes, flies, ants, and even moths

• Has antifungal and antibacterial properties — adds a cleaning benefit too

Mosquitoes rely on smell to locate humans, and the intense scent of clove is highly irritating to their senses.

The Role of White Vinegar in This Recipe

White vinegar is acidic, aromatic, and naturally cleansing. It plays several roles in this insect repellent:

• Acts as a carrier liquid for dispersing the clove scent into the air

• Enhances the longevity of the spray by preserving the active compounds

• Helps clean surfaces as you spray (great for kitchens and windows)

• Adds a secondary odor mosquitoes dislike

When vinegar and clove combine, they form a powerful natural deterrent that’s safe to use around pets, food, and children when properly diluted.

How to Make Clove and Vinegar Insect Repellent

You’ll Need:

• 1 tablespoon of ground cloves

• 1 cup of white vinegar

• 1 glass jar with lid or bottle

• Fine strainer or cheesecloth

• Small spray bottle for application

Instructions:

1. Place the ground cloves in the jar.

2. Pour the vinegar over the cloves and stir.

3. Seal the jar and let it steep for 3 to 5 days in a cool, dark place.

4. Shake the jar once daily during steeping.

5. After steeping, strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine strainer.

6. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle for daily use.

Optional: Add a few drops of lavender, eucalyptus, or citronella essential oil to enhance the scent and effectiveness.

How to Use the Spray

• Spray around windows, doors, and corners where insects enter.

• Apply directly to curtains, door frames, or countertops — test on fabrics first.

• Mist over outdoor furniture before a gathering.

• Reapply every few hours if outdoors or every 12–24 hours indoors.

• You can also spray lightly on clothing or shoes (avoid direct skin contact if undiluted).

This natural repellent doesn’t kill all insects instantly, but it creates an environment they hate — encouraging them to stay away without harsh poisons.

Other Ways to Use Cloves and Vinegar for Insect Control

1. Clove Sachets for Drawers and Closets
Place whole cloves in a small cloth bag and keep in closets or clothing drawers to repel moths and silverfish.

2. Vinegar Cleaning Spray
Add ground cloves to your standard vinegar cleaning solution for extra insect-repelling power while cleaning kitchen counters or floors.

3. Clove and Vinegar Cotton Balls
Soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them near garbage cans, under sinks, or in entryways.

4. Outdoor Patio Spray
Mix a larger batch and mist over garden furniture before outdoor meals to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Who Can Use This?

• Parents looking for safer alternatives to bug sprays near children

• Pet owners who want to avoid harming their animals with chemical repellents

• People with asthma or sensitivities triggered by synthetic air fresheners or sprays

• Anyone who wants a natural, eco-friendly, and effective insect deterrent

Important Safety Tips

• Avoid spraying directly on your skin unless diluted (1 part spray to 3 parts water).

• Always test on a small fabric area to check for staining.

• Don’t spray near pets’ food bowls or bird cages.

• Keep away from eyes and do not ingest.

How Long Does It Last?

Once strained and bottled, your clove and vinegar spray will keep for 2–3 weeks at room temperature, or up to 1 month if stored in the refrigerator.

Shake well before each use, as natural separation may occur.

What Would Barbara O’Neill Say?

Barbara O’Neill has long advocated for minimizing chemical exposure in the home. She encourages families to look to common kitchen items for both healing and household solutions. Cloves and vinegar, in her view, are perfect examples of low-toxicity living — offering therapeutic and practical benefits in one.

She might say:

“Your home should be a place of safety and healing. Why introduce poison when a clove and vinegar spray can do the job? Nature never creates one-purpose plants — they’re always multitaskers.”

Barbara’s approach always involves understanding how to work with nature, not override it with artificial solutions.

Final Thoughts

Keeping mosquitoes and insects out of your home doesn’t require toxic sprays or expensive devices. With just clove and white vinegar, you can create a powerful natural repellent that is safe, affordable, and effective. Plus, it doubles as a natural cleaner and air freshener — what more could you ask for from two simple ingredients?

Try making this easy recipe and see how quickly it changes your home environment. Not only will you keep the bugs at bay, but you’ll also feel more in control of your home’s safety and health — without compromising your well-being.

Citation from Barbara O’Neill:

“Nature supplies everything we need, not only for healing the body, but for keeping our homes clean, safe, and free from toxins. The simpler the solution, the better it works.”