In California, my homemade bug spray that uses essential oils worked for our bug repellent needs.
But we’re in Georgia now and temperatures are warming up – fast – and I’d like to have several all natural bug spray recipes in my back pocket that don’t rely ONLY on essential oils, just in case we run out at the last minute!
I wanted these recipes to be super easy, and use ingredients that I normally have on hand OR ingredients I could easily get from the grocery store.
Why should we make our own homemade bug spray?
Most commercial bug sprays contain a chemical called N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, also known as DEET. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approves DEET, a pharmacologist from Duke University who has spent 30 years researching the effects of pesticide claims (with many other sources), that:
With heavy exposure to DEET and other insecticides, humans may experience memory loss, headache, weakness, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, tremors and shortness of breath. These symptoms may not be evident until months or even years after exposure.
Children are more susceptible to subtle brain changes caused by chemicals in their environment because their skin more readily absorbs them. Also, their still-developing nervous systems are more potently affected.
Plus store-bought all natural bug spray without DEET is expensive! Small 4oz bottles cost upwards of $10 to $15 each, and that little bottle won’t even get our family through a single weekend of camping!
I’d much rather make my own homemade bug spray, using ingredients I have on hand and not only save money, but protect my family from unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals.
Before I jump into the homemade bug spray recipes, here are a few ways to reduce the costs even more:
- When you buy fresh herbs for a recipe, freeze extras. Finely dice 1 Tbsp worth of a fresh herb, place it in one spot of an ice cube tray, fill the spot with water and freeze. when the cube has frozen, store it in a freezer-safe container and make homemade bug spray when you have enough herbs.
- Buy fresh herbs when they’re in season. Many herbs are available year round, but basil in particular thrives in warm weather, meaning it’s more affordable in the spring and summer.
- Better yet, grow your own fresh herbs to save on buying them!
- Buy non-perishable ingredients in bulk whenever possible. I use vodka when I make homemade hand sanitizer, plus in my original bug spray recipe, so I buy the big container of cheap vodka from Costco to save money.
- Buy store-brand ingredients to save money. While it’s important to use real extract (imitation extract can irritate the skin), it doesn’t have to be brand name. If it saves money, buy the store-brand!
Homemade Bug Spray Recipe Using Fresh Herbs
Homemade Bug Spray Using Fresh Herbs Supplies
- 2 Tbsp fresh mint – spearment, peppermint, etc. – finely chopped
- 6 Tbsp of any of the following fresh herbs – catnip, citronella, lavender and/or cloves – finely chopped
- 1 cup distilled water, or water that has been boiled and cooled
- 1 cup witch hazel, rubbing alcohol or vodka
- spray bottle (I recommend using glass)
Homemade Bug Spray Using Fresh Herbs Method
In a small saucepan, bring one cup of water to a boil. Add fresh herbs, cover and cool completely. When the mixture has cooled, strain the herbs out and squeeze excess water from the herbs into the saucepan.
Mix infused water with 1 cup of witch hazel, rubbing alcohol or vodka. Store the mixture in the fridge. Use as needed.
Adapted slightly from Wellness Mama.
Homemade Bug Spray with Vanilla Extract
Homemade Bug Spray with Vanilla Extract Ingredients
- 5 oz baby oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (note about artificial irritating skin)
- 5 Tbsp distilled water, or water that has been boiled and cooled
- glass jar or a squeezable tube
Homemade Bug Spray with Vanilla Extract Method
Combine ingredients in a glass jar and mix well. This mixture will be thick and it rubs on like a lotion, but if you want a thinner bug spray, add 1 Tbsp water and 1 tsp vanilla and mix well. Repeat until you reach the desired consistency. Store the mixture in a glass jar and if desired, fill a squeezable tube to take it on the go.
Homemade Bug Spray with Vanilla Extract and Peppermint Extract
Homemade Bug Spray with Vanilla Extract and Peppermint Extract Ingredients
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 Tbsp cloves
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp peppermint extract
- spray bottle (I recommend using glass)
Homemade Bug Spray with Vanilla Extract and Peppermint Extract Method
Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle and allow the mixture to steep at least overnight. Shake well and spray as needed.
Note: If the cloves clog the tube of the spray nozzle, strain them out after steeping for at least 8 hours.
Homemade Bug Spray with Basil
Homemade Bug Spray with Basil Supplies
- ½ bunch fresh basil, chopped
- ½ cup distilled water, or water that has been boiled and cooled
- ½ cup vodka
- spray bottle (I recommend using glass)
Homemade Bug Spray with Basil Method
In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add fresh basil, cover and let it steep for 4 hours. Strain the herbs out and squeeze excess water from the herbs into the saucepan. Pour the water into a glass spray bottle and add vodka. Shake well and spray on skin as thoroughly, as needed.
Adapted slightly from Accidentally Green.
Homemade Bug Spray with Castile Soap
Homemade Bug Spray with Castile Soap Supplies
- 1 tsp neem oil
- 10 tsp liquid castile soap (peppermint scent would add the bug repelling effect of mint!)
- 4 cups distilled water, or water that has been boiled and cooled
- spray bottle (I recommend using glass)
Homemade Bug Spray with Castile Soap Method
Combine ingredients in a glass jar and shake gently to mix. Use as needed.
Homemade Bug Spray with Listerine
Homemade Bug Spray with Listerine Supplies
- Listerine (classic scent)
- spray bottle (I recommend using glass)
Homemade Bug Spray with Listerine Method
Add Listerine to a glass spray bottle and spray on skin as needed. If the scent is too strong, you can add water to dilute.
I stopped buying Listerine when we started making our own homemade mouthwash, but who knew it could be re-purposed for homemade bug spray!
Other Easy Ways to Repel Insects
- Plant insect-repelling plants around the home. Catnip is 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET, so plant catnip or any of these other plants around your outside gathering places to help repel insects: basil, citronella, lemongrass, marigolds, mums and rosemary.
- Add bug repelling essential oils to a homemade diffuser necklace and wear outside. Choose from citronella, clove, rosemary, lavender, peppermint and/or tea tree.
- Rose geranium essential oil is said to help deter ticks, so add that to your homemade bug sprays to increase the insect repellent power.
- Take 3 strings of paracord and braid them together. Soak the braid in a mix of bug repelling essential oils (see #2 above) and wear on your wrists/ankles to keep the bugs away.
These are great ideas! I live in Fl and the mosquitos are epic already! I am trying to grow herbs again this year and will be making some of these to try. What does vodka do for the spray? Do you have any ideas for flies?
Vodka acts like a preserver in the liquids. As for flies, I read vanilla works really well!
Flies put a penny in a ziplick bag and hang it up were you don’t want them make sure that the bag is filled with water also works for the barn and let me know if it works for you too
I’ve tried this. Never worked. Not once.
Which of these might be best for someone who is sensory sensitive to things that have an oily feel? I can’t stand oil/lotion on my skin, but the mosquitoes are coming out heavy around here and I need to do something about them!
I’d go with the fresh herb route. It’s alcohol based, so it won’t feel oily on your skin. You could try the others too, but I’d skip the baby oil one with the aversion.
Thank you! Essential oils are expensive. I have many of those herbs growing in my garden and never thought of boiling them in water to make a repellant. Going to try soon!
You’re most welcome!
How long do these bug sprays last for?
They should last at least several weeks Tina, if not longer!
These are really great ideas. Thanks
I appreciate the various recipes for a variety of scents, but is there any reason I couldn’t just boil ALL the herbs that repel bugs to make a super strength one? Like do they cancel out effectiveness? I don’t mind mixing smells of mint basil clove lavender vanilla citronella all together. It doesn’t sound like the next greatest perfume, but I’m thinking it’ll cover all my bases, any reason not to?
There’s no reason why you can’t make some super duper bug spray Julia! The only caveat is that some scents naturally repel better than others, and they’re separated out only for convenience as to what people had on hand. But as for mixing them up, knock yourself out!
Which bug spray have you used with the greatest effectiveness? This includes the e.o. ones as well.
Is there any reason not to use any of these on a baby? He is 4 months. I didn’t know if you should put anything on a baby that has alcohol in it? I also don’t want any grease that will stain his clothes.
I can’t think of any Tina, but if you’re concerned about the alcohol, I’d try witch hazel instead. Also, you want to make sure that he’s not allergic to any of the ingredients in the spray you choose. You’re probably fine, but I’d test on a small patch of skin first before spraying all over. 🙂
In the recipe using castile soap supplies, is there another oil other than need that will work? I have everything but a tsp of need oil…sigh
Neem oil, hate type ahead feature…lol, but love your site!!
LOL- no worries! Neem oil is really the best option if you’re not using essential oils. Otherwise, this post has great EO options: https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2015/05/homemade-bug-repellent-essential-oils/
I have problems with mosquitos and cockcroaches. I don’t wsnt to use use sprays that have toxic ingredients. Any help?
Cockroaches place boric acid powder in paper muffin liners under counters etc.
Great info. Thanks.
Hi Tiffany! ’m just in love with all of your recipes. You are such a blessing. Thanks a lot!
Hey Tiffany, i just wanted to say that i use tiger balm i help my joints and muscles while keeping the bugs away lol
Nice tip Ericka – thank you for sharing!
I was told to boil peppermint and cloves for an ant and nat problem should I add anything else ?
I didn’t exactly follow any recipe but i mixed some vanilla baby oil and a tiny bit of water together. The only problem is i think the baby oil is a bad idea if out in the sun. Not to much of anything is working for mosquito’s this year. Although this works against those other bugs. Even when using 40 percent deet like the off sportsman or repel max brand they are not nearly as effective as they used to be. Still getting bit but a lot less. They are still getting up in your face here in Illinois around small rivers and wooded areas.