5 Natural Mosquito Repellents from Canggu’s Rice Fields

1. Lemongrass Oil (Serai Wangi)

Walk any Balinese kitchen garden and you’ll spot tall, fragrant lemongrass stalks swaying in the breeze. The essential oil distilled from these leaves contains citral and geraniol – two volatile compounds mosquitoes detest.

How to use it in Canggu

• Ask your villa host or a local spa to blend 10–15 drops of lemongrass essential oil with 30 ml of fractionated coconut oil.
  
  

• Massage a light layer onto exposed limbs every four hours, especially before sundown yoga.
  
  

• For a room diffuser, add five drops to 100 ml of water; the fresh citrus scent doubles as a mood-booster after a long surf session at Echo Beach.
  
  

Handy tip

Keep a small roller bottle in your beach tote. Re-apply after swimming; natural oils rinse off faster than DEET sprays.

2. Cajeput Leaf (Kayu Putih)

Originating from Melaleuca cajuputi trees in eastern Indonesia, cajeput oil packs a crisp, camphor-like aroma that confuses mosquitoes’ scent receptors.

Why surfers love it
Cajeput not only repels bugs but also cools sun-kissed skin – perfect after midday breaks at Old Man’s.

DIY spray

• Combine 8 drops cajeput oil, 2 drops peppermint oil, and 40 ml witch-hazel in a mini mist bottle.
  
  

• Shake vigorously.
  
  

• Spritz ankles, wrists, neck, and hat brims before heading out.
  
  

If you feel any eye irritation, dilute further with distilled water.

3. Torch Ginger (Kecombrang)

Torch ginger buds flavour many Balinese sambals, yet few visitors realise the plant’s waxy leaves secrete natural mosquito-repelling resins.

Field method
Trek through the rice terraces behind Jalan Pantan and you’ll see farmers tie fresh torch-ginger leaves around shelter poles at dusk. The slow-releasing aroma wards off insects for hours.

At your villa
Ask staff to tuck crushed leaves into window screens or burn a few dried sections in a clay pot on the patio. The soft, floral smoke keeps bites away without overpowering your dinner guests.

4. Holy Basil (Kemangi)

Unlike sweet Italian basil, kemangi carries a sharp, clove-like bite that insects despise.

Kitchen-to-skin hack
Blend a handful of kemangi leaves with 50 ml aloe-vera gel. Strain the pulp, chill for ten minutes, then spread the cooling gel on forearms and calves. It dries clear and smells herb-fresh – not medicinal.

Bonus: clip a few sprigs next to your bedside lamp; the volatile oils diffuse gently overnight.

5. Citronella Soy Candles

Yes, citronella is famous – but cheap paraffin candles lose potency fast. Opt for locally poured soy wax infused with high-grade Cymbopogon winterianus oil.

Shopping tip in Canggu
Look for “100 % soy, hand-poured” labels at artisanal shops like Love Anchor’s weekend market. They burn slower, emit cleaner smoke, and maintain an effective scent radius of about two meters – ideal for balcony cocktails.

Light two candles 15 minutes before your group arrives, place them diagonally across seating zones, and enjoy a buzz-free catch-up.