[B]eing the outdoorsy family that we are — gardening, camping, hiking, and the like – insect repellent is a nice thing to have around, especially during the spring and summer months. And as with nearly every other household item, this all-natural bug spray can be handmade at home — in a frugal and eco-friendly way.
It’s always nice to save money, protect the earth, and guard your family against toxic chemicals — in this case DEET. By making your own handmade natural bug repellent spray, you accomplish all three of these things! It’s important to note that there are many, many different natural ways to avoid the torment of mosquitoes and other biting insects…some simple and some more complex.
How to Make a Natural Bug Repellent Spray
My Natural Bug Repellent Spray contains a variety of essential oils and plant-based extracts that truly work to keep insects, bugs, and flies away. The key when using essential oils in bug repellent is to choose a combination that repels insects and then mix it with a carrier (i.e. witch hazel, alcohol, or oil). Excellent insect repellent essential oils include:
- citronella
- rose geranium
- clove
- lemongrass
- lemon
- eucalyptus
- catnip
- castor oil
- peppermint
- lavender
- cedar
Creating this handmade bug repellent spray required a bit of math. I wanted enough essential oils in the spray for it to really deliver a punch, but I needed it gentle enough for my young children. Combining 1 part essential oils with 10 parts carrier – making the essential oils 10% of the final product — was what I went for, and boy do I love the final product!
In the end, this powerful DEET-free all natural spray contains a base combination of witch hazel and grape seed oil…which translates into a lovely refreshing spray that heals the skin. Perfect protection for the hot months of summer!
The Recipe
Ingredients
-1 ounce witch hazel
-1 ounce grape seed oil
-35 drops citronella essential oils
-20 drops eucalyptus essential oils
-15 drops lemon essential oils
-15 drops lemongrass essential oils
-15 drops cedar essential oils
Method
1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or directly into a small spray bottle.
2. Shake well before use.
3. Reapply often, up to every 1-2 hours as needed.
Notes
-Not all natural repellents are created equal and what works for one person may not work for all.
-Instead of grape seed oil, feel free to use the oil you have on hand — olive, jojoba, almond, etc.
-This spray is safe for all members of the family 6 months and older. Disclaimer: Apply sparingly to infants 6 months to 2 years. But please, don’t take my word for it, be sure to check with your doctor prior to using this or any other natural product on your small children.
-I love the quality, and the price, of essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs.
-Not up for another DIY project? Or would you like to try it before you buy all the supplies? Check out my Etsy listing by clicking here…
How do you ward off bugs and insects? Share with us your bug repellent tips and recipes!
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DISCLAIMER: The statements made here are purely education and have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. They are by no means intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Excellent recipe! I’ve made a few homemade bug repellant recipes in the past using peppermint and lavender essential oils. I’m definitely going to try your recipe since bug season is fast approaching. Thanks for sharing,
Peace.
I actually used coconut oil steeped with lemongrass while I was in Africa. Worked like a charm, and I didn’t get the horrid skin reactions that came with the DEET. Granted, going to malaria region and using only lemongrass oil (and anti-malarials) is risky, but it’s better than nothing. Thanks for the recipe!
Very interesting! I made one last year which really worked for us and was really cheap. Here is the link to my recipe: http://www.bloombakecreate.com/2011/05/lemon-balm-lavender-bugs-off-spray/
If you don’t grow herbs for this recipe, you can purchase them online.
Great blog!
I needed an invasive, tough plant to qickly cover a large bare spot where yard meets my woods, so I planted lemon balm. Did the trick. The bonus, I rub its leaves on my arms and legs to repell flying bugs from me while I do yard work. Effectiveness lasts only about 90 minutes which matches my energy span
You can also rub the leaves of lemon balm inside empty beehives to attract a new honey bee colony.
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Great recipe. I plan on doing something similar using a doTERRA blend called TerraShield. It’s pre-blended and smells great. I would seriously consider wearing it as perfume.
My husband built a skateboard ramp in our backyard last fall. I plan on playing around with a variety of plants this year in hopes of repelling mosquitoes around the ramp: citronella, lemon balm, rosemary. We’ll see how it goes.
Great post, as always…..and so informational. I’m hoping to spend more time outdoors this summer, especially on my back deck and since I have a clean slate to work with, would love to know what types herbs & plants to plant near the deck to repel mosquitoes & black flies. Any good tips?
Thanks,
Mary
Love the recipie. Where did you get your spray bottle. Do you have good recomendation of where to purchase pump bottles for lotion as well. Love all of your recipies.
Try http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.aspx – I use them regularly as I make some of my own tonics and tinctures.
Making my own repellent is on my list of things to do before summer. I bought some of the oils last fall to be ready. Last year I used a natural bug bar from made-on lotion. It was nice but takes too much time to rub all over; spray is much easier for a whole family to use.
This is just what I needed, Spring is here now and see those pesty bugs coming around already. thanks for sharing, and so glad I can put this on my 1 year old, esp something that is safe.
I can’t wait to try this! I’ve been wanting to make my own repellant for awhile! Nice to have an “endorsed” recipe! Thanks!
I am going to try this as we have loads od bugs here in Ohio. I also have a question. Any sprays for spraying around the base of the house to keep out the creepy crawlees? Grandaughter sleeps in the basement and has come fyling up the stairs because of things with multiple legs. Does anyone have any receipes for an inside or outside spray?
I have read that spiders taste with their feet and cannot stand lemon. I have rubbed lemon peel around on the baseboards and around door jams. I make a repellent with lemon and grapefruit peels. They hate the citrus and around here they seem to also not like rosemary.
Thank you for.all the.great info — but could you PLEASE enable mobile viewing for those o us who look on our phones? I am sure I miss a lot by losing interest in lengthy page refreshes. Thanks! I would comment on the tooth powder entry — great recipe and thanks!–but it takes too long to load.
Where did you get your spray botle from?
Also, I just looked in my mountain rose herb catalog and a few ingredients are not suitable for pregnant women, do youhave any other pregnancy safe sprays??
Thank you so much for this!!!
Thank you so much for this recipe!
I have more or less everything on hand, but I’m wondering if I can replace the witch hazel with another carrier, like castor oil? Or is the witch hazel important to deterring the bugs??
Thanks so much!
- Jenny
I make an insect repellant by boiling grapefruit peel, lemon peel and lemon balm and rosemary and lavender. I let it cool, strain it and add cheap vodka. I like the idea of adding a bit of oil though so that it stays on longer. You have to reapply frequently. It does not smell bad and I also use it on my dogs. For anti itching spray I use lavender, pine extract and eucalyptus and rosemary.
I was wondering what type of essential oils besides lavender that is safe to use when your pregnant that repeals mosquitos and bugs. I want to make a bug repellant for my sister who is pregnant with her first child. Thought it would be a nice gift! Thanks
what about just citronella essential oil and castor oil and witchazel?
This looks great! The only trouble is I’m allergic to Cedar. Which oil would be the best substitute?
Does it repel chiggers and ticks? My husband and son are going to a camp in MO in July and we just purchased the chemical laden repellant. I would love to have them use something else.
I make a real simple and easy mosiquito spray you take 1 TBSP vanilla extract 1 TBSP Peppermint extract and 2 cups water put in spray bottle and shake it up …shake each time before you use it
Watch out if you go to the Central or South American rainforest – there are bees there that are very attracted to eucalyptus because it is similar to the pheromones they use as a mating signal.
Does peppermint oil make an effective substitute for eucalyptus? And I have all of the others mentioned except for lemon balm…I have rosemary, thyme, geranium, lavender…
This is a great site! Thanks for posting
Gayl
Lodi, WI
With all the oils, does this stain clothing?
and– again w the oils- has anyone had break-out issues w putting the oils on your face? love the idea of this- the natural scent alone would be awesome.
This looks great, I can’t wait to try it. I would only like to caution that adding citrus oils makes sunburn more likely, so people should be more cautious about sun exposure when using them on the skin.
Hi there.
How much does this recipe make?
Want to know what size bottle to use.
Thank you!
I am interested in making some natural insect repellent before we go camping in a month. I was wondering if it stings your skin like the Off does. I shave a lot and it burns both mine and my daughter’s skin plus it stinks so godawful. I have seen recipes with just witch hazel and an oil or two and others with water added to this mix. Is there any difference with or without the water? Thanks, I am looking forward to deciding on which recipe to try.