Summer is here and so are the bugs. Keep the bugs at bay with this homemade bug spray made with essential oils. It’s an all natural alternative to the traditional bug spray that you can feel safe using on yourself and your family.
The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Are You a Mosquito Magnet Too?
I could stand in a group of a hundred people and be the only one to get bug bites. My family disagrees, but I do believe it’s because I’m just so sweet. Mosquitos, chiggers, oak bugs, ticks, and buffalo gnats seem to enjoy my tasty blood. Although my anti-itch stick and itch roller bottle work wonders once I have bug bites, I’d rather avoid the bites all together.
In an effort to have a more natural home and less toxin exposure, I wanted to make an all natural, homemade bug spray with essential oils. I jumped into some oily research to find the best oils for bug repellent. We had already experimented with using plants to repel bugs around the porch. My husband forgot to water them while I was gone, so that experiment ended without ever gaining much traction. Oils don’t need to be watered, so I figured this experiment had a higher chance of success.
Of course I needed a few new oils for my collection, so I made an order and anxiously awaited my box. A week later it was science time in the kitchen. Does anybody else feel like Harry Potter in potions class when they are mixing oils? To my delight my magical bug spray potion was a success, with only one exception. It did not work on buffalo gnats, but more on that later.
Pin it for Later!
About the Oils in the Homemade Bug Spray
| Oil | Benefit | Warning |
| Citronella Essential Oil | Insect repellent | Safe for kids over 6. Avoid contact with mucus membranes. Do not use If you are pregnant, nursing, or have estrogen dependent cancer. |
| Eucalyptus Essential Oil | Effective mosquito repellent approved by the CDC. | It is safe for kids 6+. Do not use it if you are pregnant, nursing, or have estrogen dependent cancer. |
| Cedarwood Essential Oil | Insect repellent | Avoid contact with mucus membranes. May cause irritation. Do not use it if pregnant or nursing. Safe for children over 6. |
| Tea Tree Essential Oil | Insecticide and repellent | Avoid contact with sensitive skin, eyes, and the inner ear. Do not use it if you are pregnant or nursing. |
| Lemongrass Essential Oil | Insecticide and insect repellent | Do not use it if you have estrogen-dependent cancer. Safe for children over 6. May cause irritation. Do not use it if you are pregnant or nursing. |
| Peppermint Essential Oil | Repels bugs and flies. Studies done by the US National Library of Medicine on effectiveness. | This is safe for kids 6+. It may cause skin irritation. Do not use it if you are pregnant or have epilepsy. Avoid contact with mucus membranes. |
Homemade Bug Spray With Essential Oils Recipe
Ingredients
5 drops of each
Witch Hazel
Instructions
- Add 5 drops of each essential oil to a 4 oz amber glass spray bottle.
- Fill the bottle up halfway with apple cider vinegar.
- Top it off with witch hazel.
Using The Homemade Bug Spray With Essential Oils
Spray your skin and clothing with the homemade bug spray before going outside. Take special care to spray your ankles, socks, or any exposed skin.
DO NOT spray this on your face. It has vinegar in it which will burn your eyes.
I have been known to spray down my ball cap before putting it on. I’ve found this helps my face from getting swarmed or buzzed.
Tips For Avoiding Bug Bites
For buffalo gnats you must use vanilla oil and witch hazel. I don’t know why, but it’s the only thing we have found that is effective. It keeps the majority of the gnats stay away.
During bug season, you can take sulfur pills. This deters bugs as well. Talk to your doctor before taking any sort of supplements.
Garlic is also a great deterrent. Eating lots of garlic in your meals will work. Taking minced garlic with a spoonful of honey also works.
Storing the Homemade Bug Spray With Essential Oils
Sunlight causes essential oils to lose their effectiveness over time. Consequently, it is best to store them out of direct sunlight. This is why I keep my bug spray in an amber glass bottle in my medicine cabinet.
In addition, it is best not to store essential oils in plastic. They will cause it to deteriorate. Therefore, I recommend storing essential oils in amber or cobalt glass bottles.
Diluting the Homemade Bug Spray With Essential Oils
This spray has a ratio of about 30%. This is higher than any of my roller bottles because there is much less being applied to the skin. If you are uncomfortable with that or plan to use it on children it can be further diluted. I would suggest making a master blend of the child safe oils, then adding the appropriate number of drops.
Homemade Bug Spray With Essential Oils
Summer is here and so are the bugs. Keep the bugs at bay with this homemade bug spray made with essential oils. It’s an all natural alternative to the traditional bug spray that you can feel safe using on yourself and your family.
Ingredients
- 5 drops of each
- Citronella Essential Oil
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Cedar Wood Essential Oil
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Lemongrass Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Witch Hazel
Instructions
- Add 5 drops of each essential oil to a 4 oz amber glass spray bottle.
- Fill the bottle up halfway with apple cider vinegar.
- Top it off with witch hazel.
The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop this Post
Essential Oils Use the code MORGANSFARMHOUSE10 for 10% off your first order
Leave a Reply