Homemade Bug Spray That Actually Works!

After the love my article about The Best Mood Boosting Essential Oils got, I decided the next logical step is to share my homemade bug spray that actually works!  I feel so much better putting essential oils on myself and my family, rather than chemicals and DEET.  It certainly saves you and your kids from the hacking and gagging and eye-burning awfulness of an aerosol, too. It smells much better, you do not have to pay $10 a can, and I find it equally effective. Win-win-win, right?

In this article, I’ll share how to make a homemade bug spray using essential oils that is effective and safer for you, your family and the environment.

Step 1: Choose Your Oils

There are many essential oils that can repel insects, but some of the most effective are citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender, keep scrolling for a more comprehensive list! You can use just one of these oils or a combination of them, I like to combine many – it makes me feel like I’ve covered all my bases!

Step 2: Mix the Oils

To make your bug spray, you will need to mix your essential oils with a carrier.  Begin by dropping your desired oils into the bottle. I use-5-10 drops of whatever strikes my fancy on that day.

Step 3: Add Water and Witch Hazel

Once you have mixed your oils together, I highly recommend using a combination of witch hazel and water as your carrier.  Make sure the witch hazel you purchase does not contain alcohol.  If you would rather mix with a carrier oil and place directly on your skin, check out this article where I discuss carrier oil options.  I prefer something I can get on my clothes, as DIY bug spray requires reapplying every couple of hours to maintain effectiveness. You can also add a few drops of vitamin E oil, which will help to preserve the spray.  My family tend to go through it quickly so I don’t usually bother with that step – but you certainly can!

Step 4: Store and Use

Once you've mixed your bug spray, transfer it to a spray bottle and store it in a cool place if possible. When you are ready to use it, simply spray it on your skin or clothing as needed. Be sure to shake the bottle well before each use to distribute the oils evenly.

Some of the best essential oils for repelling mosquitoes include:

1. Citronella oil

2. Lemon eucalyptus oil

3. Peppermint oil

4. Lavender oil

5. Tea tree oil

6. Lemongrass oil

7. Geranium oil

8. Cinnamon oil

9. Rosemary oil

10. Sage Oil

Some of the best essential oils for repelling ticks include:

1. Cedar oil

2. Rose geranium oil

3. Lemon eucalyptus oil

4. Peppermint oil

5. Thyme oil

6. Lemongrass oil

7. Lavender oil

Warning!!

It’s important to remember that essential oils may not provide as long-lasting protection as traditional insect repellents, so be sure to reapply them as needed. Additionally, while essential oils are generally safe, they can cause skin irritation in some people.  It’s a good idea to do a patch test before using a new oil and definitely dilute them properly before use.

Here's my homemade bug spray recipe:

This is not an exact science; my measurements are not terribly consistent.  Some bottles of oils drip nice and evenly and some pour out so fast I can only guess how much is in my final product.

I use 5-10 drops of each of the following essential oils:

1. Lemon Eucalyptus

2. Geranium Rose

3. Citronella

4. Rosemary

5. Lavender

6. Sage

I use an 8-ounce spray bottle and add half water and half witch hazel.

Citronella and lemon eucalyptus are the culprits that make it smell like bug spray.  Sometimes I will omit those in a spray just for myself if I am not going somewhere overly buggy, but still want a little protection.

For ticks:

It's geranium rose all the way! This is the one I keep this in my purse. I apply geranium rose oil straight to me and my family’s skin. Not a lot, just a dot on each ankle and each wrist and behind the neck anytime we’re going anywhere near woods. It has never let me down...I actually put it on my dog too!

Again – please do a skin patch test after making your spray if you have even the slightest concern about your skin’s reaction. Spray a little on the inside of your wrist, give it 30 minutes and if there’s no reaction you should be okay.  When in doubt, consult a doctor (ie. not me).  Essential oils are a little pricey, but they last an extremely long time. Let me know if you try this homemade bug spray and how it works out for you!