Not everyone is comfortable spraying chemical DEET insect repellent on themselves or their family. You can buy natural non-toxic bug spray–usually at a premium price. Or make your own. The advantages of making your own bug repellent include:
- Experiment to see what works best for you.
- Pleasant smells.
- Make as little or as much as you need.
- Target specific insects.
- Avoid absorbing and inhaling toxic chemicals and help the environment.
8 DIY Bug Sprays
Most homemade bug sprays use an essential oil as the active ingredient. Bugs use their odorant receptors to locate a host–like humans.
They detect–and are attracted to–scents like carbon dioxide we expel by breathing, sweat, perfume, aftershave, hairspray, colors, and more. Essential oils disrupt the receptors and repel bugs.
1. Catnip Oil
Catnip oil contains nepetalactone, a compound 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET. Mix one teaspoon with ¼ cup of olive oil and rub it on exposed skin as required.
2. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Lemon Eucalyptus is an effective repellent against mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Mix 10 drops of the oil with a quarter cup of coconut oil and rub on skin. Or half a cup of witch hazel, half a cup of water, and about 40 drops of oil for spray-on application.
Lemon eucalyptus oil is not safe for children under three years old or pregnant or nursing mothers.
3. Tea Tree Oil
In addition to tea tree oil’s many beneficial uses, it can be used as a bug repellent. Mix a few drops with a quarter cup of vinegar or water and wipe down kitchen and pantry shelves to keep unwanted beetles away. Peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil work almost as well.
4. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil repels–and may kill–mosquitoes, ants, and spiders–and smells good at the same time. Mix about ten drops of oil in a quarter cup of water to use as a spray. You can use more oil if you like, but it is more robust than many other oils and the smell may be a little overpowering.
5. Neem Oil
Neem oil repels mosquitoes and fleas. It can be concocted as a spray or rub. Stir a half teaspoon of oil into a half cup of coconut oil and rub onto exposed skin. To make a spray, mix two tablespoons of oil with a half cup of water and a half cup of witch hazel. Neem doesn’t mix well. You need to shake vigorously before each application.
6. Cinnamon Oil
Mosquitoes are repelled by cinnamon according to a study conducted by the NIH. It can cause skin irritation, so experiment with a few drops of oil in a half cup of water and spray a small area to check your reaction.
7. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil repels mosquitoes, flies, and moths. It is safe to apply topically without diluting. To use as a spray, mix half a cup of water with half a cup of witch hazel and add 20 – 30 drops of oil. Shake well before using.
You can hang lavender-infused sachets close to doors and windows or use the spray on frames to keep pests from entering the house.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar repels mosquitoes and fruit flies. Mix a half cup of vinegar with a half cup of water, shake, and spray on exposed skin. Adding a few drops of essential oil like peppermint covers the pickle smell. Vinegar may sting a bit until it dries.
Most essential oils repel insects. Here are a few more to consider.
- Citrus Oils. Mosquitoes and possibly flies, fleas, mites, and aphids. Popular outdoor repellent. Can be used as a spray but evaporates quickly. Known to be harmful to pets.
- Garlic Oil. Ticks. Spray in gardens and yards to suppress tick nymphs. Can be used on skin and clothing but many find the odor offensive.
- Dill Oil. Cockroaches. Dilute and spray inside the house where roaches appear.
- Cedarwood Oil. Mosquitoes, ticks, fleas. Dilute and spray on exposed skin.
