Make your own bug repellent with just a few ingredients, using essential oils as mosquito repellent. Plus it works for gnats, flies, and ticks! Perfect for summer fun with my homemade citronella candles.
Camping, picnics, evenings on the back porch. What do these things have in common? SUMMER! FUN! BUGS! And the fact that you need homemade bug repellent.
There’s no summer without bugs, and really, I could do without the bugs. That’s one reason we make this homemade bug repellent.
Besides being much safer than store-bought chemical insect repellents, homemade bug spray is:
- Easy. Just combine the ingredients and go!
- Cheap. Using only a few drops of essential oils per batch, your pure essential oils will last for a long time! (And it’s still cheap if you use high quality essential oils and avoid using oils from unknown sources.)
- Versatile. There are two different ways you can make some depending on your preferred application: rub on or spray on.
The key ingredient for either recipe is essential oils. The strong scent of essential oils will repel bugs away as well as give you added aromatic benefits!
Ingredients
Making your own bug repellent is simple and effective! You only need a few key ingredients:
- Essential oils
- Carrier oil (Avocado oil is great on the skin!)
- Witch hazel (Be sure to pick one like this brand, that only has witch hazel listed in the ingredients. We also use this in our favorite after sun spray.)
A Quick Note on Essential Oils
I know there are a lot of essential oil companies out there and I’ve certainly tried my fair share of brands. But after testing and researching and more testing, only one is worth spending money on (in my opinion). For a couple of years now I’ve been committed to Young Living oils, and you can read more about their oils and my decision HERE.
However, I understand that not everyone wants to join Young Living. I’ve heard great things about Plant Therapy on Amazon. They are a great choice!
Homemade Bug Repellent: Rub-On
This is a crazy simple recipe. You only need two ingredients: a carrier oil and a mix of essential oils. You can use a similar recipe for your pets as well and avoid the need for chemical-laden flea and tick collars. Just keep in mind that not all essential oils are safe for pets. Check out this pet-friendly adaptation for your four-legged friends.
Rub-On Bug Repellent Supplies
- Carrier oil (I like sweet almond oil or avocado oil they are light on the skin and not too greasy)
- 10-20 drops of preferred essential oils (see above for single oil recommendations, or below for some great combos)
- Small bottle or old jar
Step By Step Instructions for Rub-On
Step 1. Add 2 tablespoons of carrier oil in a small bottle or re-useable jar. Add in 10-20 drops of your preferred essential oil.
Step 2. To apply, simply shake the bottle well and rub a small amount of oil on exposed skin. The bugs will stay away and your skin will be nourished!
Homemade Bug Spray
If you prefer a spray-on repellent this works great although it uses a few more ingredients.
Bug Spray Supplies
- Carrier oil (I like sweet almond oil or avocado oil as they are light on the skin and not too greasy)
- 10-20 drops of preferred essential oils (see above or below for some great combos)
- Small spray bottle
- Distilled water
- Vodka or witch hazel
Step By Step Instructions for Spray-On
Step 1. In a 2 ounce bottle or jar add in 1 1/2 Tbsp of distilled water, 1 tsp of carrier oil, 1 tsp of vodka or witch hazel, and 15-25 drops of essential oils. Shake well before spraying on your skin.
Step 2. This recipe could easily be doubled or tripled for a camping trip or frequent outdoor activity and put in a larger glass spray bottle.
Step 3. With both of these recipes, avoid getting the repellent in your eyes or mouth!
Homemade Bug Repellent Without Essential Oils
If you’re in a pinch and don’t have the chance to get essential oils as mosquito repellent, or if you’d just simply prefer not to use them, we’ve made our own plant-based homemade bug spray using herbs and extracts instead with good success.
The best part is that you likely already have everything you need at home, and if you don’t, you can get it all at the grocery store.
Store-bought Bug Repellent
I know some families aren’t the DIY-ers and would prefer to buy it ready to go. If that’s you, here are the top bug repellents I recommend:
- Babyganics (also DEET-free and safe for baby)
- All-terrain Herbal Armor (made with herbs and likely found locally as well)
I am so happy to keep the bugs away by using a natural product that is free of nasty chemicals. Plus when you think of the money you save by making your own bug repellent, I don’t know why you wouldn’t do it yourself!
FAQs
Here are some of my favorite essential oil combos for repelling bugs. They seem to all work the same; it depends on what kind of scent you desire!
Campfire: 10 drops Rosemary, 6 drops Cedarwood
Floral: 8 drops Geranium, 5 drops Lavender, 5 drops Rosemary, 2 drops Patchouli
Hippie: 10 drops Lavender, 6 drops Cedarwood, 4 drops Patchouli
Fresh: 12 drops Lemon, 5 drops Peppermint, 3 drops Eucalyptus (Use caution with lemon and sun exposure. This EO is better used after the sunsets!)
Don’t forget to experiment with some different combos and mix it up! Your bugs may be repelled better by some essential oils more than others.
I think pure essential oils make the best homemade bug repellent. These essential oils are traditionally recommended for their bug-repellent properties:
Citronella
Lemongrass
Rosemary
Geranium
Spearmint
Thyme
Clove
You can either make a spray-on homemade natural bug repellent, or a rub-on. This post will show you how to make either option step-by-step!
More Summer DIYs
- DIY 3 ingredient sunscreen
- After-sun Spray
- Bug Repellent without Essential Oils
- Homemade Citronella Candles
Is it possible to leave the essential oil as is with an open cap and leave it in the bedroom? My 4 year old has bad allergic reactions to insect bites and we are getting them often.
It’s generally not recommended to leave EO’s open Noori, but you can try diffusing them if you think you’re getting bites while you sleep. Although, I believe topical application is most effective.
Hey all! I’m just starting out using essential oils for repellents. We live in deep woods on the water and have lost of biting insects in the summer.
I have Texas Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Lemongrass, and Geranium essential oils.
I have coconut oil, avocado oil, vodka, which hazel…
Anyone have any great recipes using my ingredients?? Or stories/experiences they want to share with me 🙂 🙂
I also have a year and a half old little girl 🙂 🙂
A few days back, I’ve read your post. I was actually searching for homemade bug repellent to keep the safety pad of my basketball hoop far away from the bug. Your post helped me to create a spray repellent. Many many thanks!
I was able to buy a roller bottle from my local vitamin shop. They did tell me that it should be blue or brown glass bottle.
Thank you!
What is the purpose of the vodka or witch hazel? And could you use coconut or olive oil as an carrier oil?
The vodka and witch hazel is so you can dilute the essential oils. You can use coconut or olive oil as a carrier, but they tend to be thicker and don’t work as well in spray bottles. For those, I’d recommend a roller bottle (http://amzn.to/2p6eTS8) or applying by hand.
Do I need vodka or witch hazel to make the spray
Char – you do, otherwise it’s nothing more than applying straight essential oils, which isn’t recommended.
I use Vodka … I put the drops of oil in the Vodka and then add to the water it helps blend/with the oil and water separating…have to shake before using!
Really appreciate your information – Found this web site while, once again, looking to refine my solutions of water spray and oil rub on repellants. I am 70 years old and have lost a lot of my sense of smell. Have been using similar recipes this and last year. They work Great!! Today, doused my clothes with spray and myself with the oils to work in the yard. I asked a friend if he could smell the peppermint and eucalyptus and he quickly nodded with a smile. So, not sure how good it smells, but clears my sinuses as well as keeping insects away. I have put a few drops of oil on a cloth & put it in the dryer with my outdoor working clothes. Also using peppermint soap to bath.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge about this.
Please give me a recipe for making a DIY WITCH HAZEL and also suggest a substitute for WITCH HAZEL if there is.
Mohamedi – in the tutorial we’ve given you the option to use vodka instead of witch hazel.
I have peppermint, lavender and tea tree essential oils and have bought a blend that has citronella and lemongrass. Will these work?
Hi Patricia! The peppermint will work across the board, and melaleuca is another name for tea tree, so that will help for ticks and flies. I’ve found that citronella helps with mosquitos, so I think you’re covered!
I have lavender eucalyptus and Tea Tree Essentional oils. Will these combined work for a natural tick and bug repellent? I don’t have the peppermint EO.
Just so you know Lemongrass Essential Oil attracts bees. I know from experience.
I just recently purchased thyme oil, that’s the only one I have that’s supposed to repel mosquitos. Do I need more than one essential oil or can I just mix on one?
Hey Kristina! Using a variety of oils may act as a better repellant. However, if you have only one of the oils, you can use that one alone and it will work too. Thanks for asking!
You add the carrier oil because water and witch hazel won’t properly dilute the essential oils.
What’s the purpose of adding in the carrier oil? I’ve been making it with only witch hazel and water, and the repellent works well. Just wondering why one would want to include the oil. I’ve heard that the oil actually clogs up the atomizer (spray pump).
I make bathroom room sprays all the time. I do not add a carrier oil as I don’t want the bottle to clog. I use 2 parts distilled water to 1 part vodka or witch hazel, a few drops of glycerin as a preservative, and a pinch or two of himilayan sea salt for the essential oils to bond with. The solution must be shaken well before each use. I plan on trying this with a bug spray. I would use regular carrier oil for a rub on method.
For a room spray no carrier is needed. The carrier is needed for spray bug spray though. Otherwise the oils are not properly diluted .
Carrier oils are added to dilute essential oils so they’re safe for use on skin. Some oils, and a lot of insecticidal/insect repellent oils especially, are potentially skin sensitizing or irritating due to their naturally occurring chemical makeup.
Yes. Many oils are HOT oils and will burn you at full strength. Peppermint, cinnamon, are a couple I have had the pleasure deal with. And oregano. But diluted with a carrier oil, they are fabulous.
I agree. My 20 something daughter found out the hard way a few years ago with cinnamon oil in bath water. I was not home at the time. When she told me I was laughing hysterically. I learned the hard way with oregano oil. I used it to unstop my nose and put a few drops under my tongue (no carrier oil). Boy did it burn. It did unstop my nose but I got some on my taste buds and couldn’t taste for 3 days.
I want to make the Fresh blend recipe but I do not have Eucalyptus. Would tea tree work in its place? Or do you have another recommendation? I’m new to oils.
Thanks!
Decent recipes, but the dilution rate is awfully high, and these recipes arent exactly kid safe. Cinnamon is a “hot” oil and very high skin irritant. Eucalyptus is unsafe for kids under 10, peppermint is unsafe for kids under 6, and depending on the chemotype of the rosemary, it may also be unsafe for kids under 6. Lemon (unless steam distilled) is phototoxic. I make my own as well, but I use citronella, lemon eucalyptus ( which should be used with caution on childrens skin. Not exactly unsafe, but can be a skin irritant) catnip, geranium, and vetiver. Works AMAZING!!! I go camping a lot, and now everyone we go with asks for my spray instead of using the deep woods off.
Danielle,
Would you mind sharing your recipe, please?
Thanks!
I don’t have an exact recipe because I make it in different size batches. Sometimes I make small spray bottles, and sometimes I make large ones. I keep the essential oils at a 3 to 5% dilution depending on if it will be used with children or not. A 3% dilution for kids, 5% if only adults will be using it.
My basic recipe for a small batch 5% is:
1/2 oz witch hazel
1/2 oz cheap vodka
1/2 oz neem carrier oil
1/4 oz vegetable glycerin
5 drops catnip eo
4 drops lemon eucalyptus
3 drops geranium
2 drops vetiver
1 drop citronella
Mix it all together in a spritz bottle, give it a good shake, and spray. If it’s too thick for your liking you can add more witch hazel to thin it out. Catnip and neem are not the prettiest smells, so you can back off a little with the neem oil. The recipe is really customizable. The vetiver and citronella can also be replaced with kunzea if you have it. You can even eliminate the vegetable glycerin if you really want to. Some people don’t like the way it feels, or you can just lower the amount until it’s a more desirable feel for you.
Thank you so much. I am really looking forward to mixing up a batch and testing it out during our camping trip over Memorial Day. Thanks for sharing!
Hello,
Do you sell yours by chance?
Thanks,
Rebeca
I’m allergic to witch hazel. Can I leave it out? Thanks!
Hi Danielle! The witch hazel helps to spread the oils around on your skin. You could use vodka or leave it out. Just know that the oils will be thick.
Very helpfully. Thanks for sharing the recipe. We camp a lot too. Flies are biting really bad right now. Store ought stuff was not working so my daughter and I busted out the oils. We used 4 drops of citronella Java and 4 drops of cloves. Mixed together in hands and put on exposed areas. I have sensitive skin and this does not make me break out. Others were getting bit but us ,not a one!:-)
Yay!!
YOU are a gem! Thank you for your contribution ..
I love the natural means of not sharing my blood with .. nature ..
I would sit in your campfire any nite .. maybe even share my hot dog .. lol
What is the recipe for peppermint ant spray for in the house?
Tracy, mix 15-20 peppermint drops with 2 cups of water, then spray your baseboards and let it dry.
Thank you! This is great! Could Fractionated Coconut Oil work as a carrier oil? Eager to hear from you!
That will work great!
I’m trying this. Thanks so much!
You’re most welcome!
The recipes look good, but I would hesitate to use any citrus oils if you will be in the sun! They are photosensitive and could make you burn.
Thanks Cayla!
Peppermint works great for ants in your house too.
Thanks for the tip Rebecca!
I have found tea tree oil to work for long periods of time and actually watch the ants not cross where it has been sprayed. I see where they are coming in put the oils on the area and bam gone for a long time like weeks
I ran out of bug spray and remembered reading about peppermint oil as a natural alternative. The kids wanted to go out and catch lightning bugs and put them in a jar overnight in their room. I put a little peppermint oil on my finger and dabbed on each ankle and wrist and sent them out. Pretty soon they came running back in all upset. I asked “What’s wrong?” thinking somebody had got hurt or something. Well, it turns out that they had not one bite BUT they could not catch any lightning bugs because the lightning bugs would come no where near them because of the peppermint oil! LOL! They have never let me forget that. They talk about it every year!!
LOL, that’s so funny Donna! A lesson learned through experience 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Lol! That’s too funny. I will try the peppermint oil though. After this hurricane that just passed it has mosquito everywhere.
Oh no! I wouldn’t have thought about that! Lol.
That’s a riot! Thanks for sharing! 🙂