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Summertime is the time for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor fun. Unfortunately, it’s also the time for pesky bugs! If you’re looking for a natural way to keep the bugs away this summer, look no further than essential oil bug spray. In this blog post, we will discuss how to make your own essential oil bug spray and how to use it. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Why Homemade Bug Spray?
Mosquitos are huge, and at my house, we make jokes about mosquitoes being the size of birds. Keeping bugs at bay with a strong mosquito repellent is critical, especially with little children who are likely to scratch mosquito bites.
But some of the store bought ones can be pretty harsh. You might be thinking, “If it’s strong enough to keep the bugs away, isn’t it too strong for my skin?”
That’s a valid concern. Many store-bought insect repellents contain DEET, which is a pretty intense chemical. According to the EPA, DEET is safe when used as directed, but some people still prefer to avoid it if possible, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Enter essential oils.
Essential oils are a natural way to repel bugs and they can be just as effective as DEET, without the harsh chemicals. In fact, essential oils have been used for centuries to keep bugs at bay. And not only are essential oils effective, but they smell great too!
Now that we know why we should use essential oils, let’s talk about how to make our own essential oil bug spray.
5-Minute Essential Oil Bug Spray Recipe
If you have the necessary ingredients on hand, this is the greatest bug spray I’ve ever found. This recipe incorporates essential oils, which are highly effective for natural bug protection.
There are some concerns about putting these directly on the skin, especially on youngsters. I generally apply this formula to clothing or gear rather than directly to the skin.
Tea tree, cinnamon leaf oil, lemongrass, rosemary, eucalyptus, lemongrass: all of these have insect-repelling properties, and I’ve included the recipe below with over 100 drops of essential oil total. For this preparation, I utilize a combination of oils containing around 100 drops each. If you don’t have one, leave it out or replace it with a combination of the others.
To save time, I’ve substituted the oils in the recipe below with a pre-mixed kid-safe essential oil combination that repels insects.
Homemade Bug Spray Recipe
- 30 drops geranium essential oil
- 30 drops citronella essential oil
- 20 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
- 1 Tbsp vodka (or rubbing alcohol)
- ½ cup witch hazel
- 1 tsp vegetable glycerin (optional)
- ½ cup distilled water (or vinegar)
Instructions
- In a glass spray bottle, combine the essential oils.
- Add the vodka or rubbing alcohol and shake well to combine.
- Pour in the witch hazel and shake again to combine.
- Add the vegetable glycerin if using. It isn’t necessary, but it does help everything stay combined.
- Add the water and shake again.
- Shake before each use as the oils and water will naturally separate over time.
Notes
How to Use It: I keep a bottle of this bug spray by the back door for quick application if someone gets bug bites. I also include one in our first-aid kit when camping or hiking. This homemade anti-itch cream is also good to have on hand just in case you get an unexpected insect sting!
Other Simple Insect-Repelling Ideas
- Use a non-toxic, bug-repelling wristband, which is much easier to use on children and highly effective.
- To make a simple vanilla-based version, prepare a spray by combining vanilla with witch hazel and water.
- Plant insect-repelling herbs in your garden. I grow lavender, thyme, mint, and citronella near our patio, and we use these fresh plants as bug repellent on occasion.
- To repel insects, apply lavender flowers or lavender oil to your skin, particularly on the hot parts of your body (neck, chest, upper arms, etc.).
- To repel insects, smear fresh or dried leaves of anything in the mint family all over the skin (peppermint, spearmint, catnip, pennyroyal, and citronella, lemongrass). Fresh basil leaves are also claimed to repel mosquitoes, and I’ve used them in the garden with excellent results before.
Making homemade bug spray
Whether you have to contend with mosquitos or something less dangerous such as midgies, having homemade bug spray to hand using an essential oil blend is a smart approach. However always follow medical advice first before using any homemade remedies or natural insect repellents to avoid allergic reactions or interference with medication.
