Find out the secret to keeping bugs away naturally with all-natural homemade bug spray recipes, made without essential oils! Every recipe can be made with just a few ingredients you have in the kitchen! Try my homemade bug spray that uses essential oils and DIY citronella candles.
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.
I’d much rather make my own all natural bug spray, using ingredients I have on hand, and not only save money but protect my family from unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals.
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!
Reduce Costs
- 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 a brand name. If it saves money, buy the store-brand!
Homemade Bug Spray Using Fresh Herbs
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp fresh mint – spearmint, peppermint, etc. – finely chopped
- 6 Tbsp 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)
Instructions
Step 1. In a small saucepan, bring one cup of water to a boil.
Step 2. Add fresh herbs, cover, and cool completely.
Step 3. When the mixture has cooled, strain the herbs out and squeeze excess water from the herbs into the saucepan.
Step 4. 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
Ingredients
- 5 oz baby oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract or homemade (note about artificial irritating skin)
- 5 Tbsp distilled water, or water that has been boiled and cooled
- glass jar or a squeezable tube
Instructions
Step 1. Combine ingredients in a glass jar and mix well.
Tip: 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.
Step 2. 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
Ingredients
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 Tbsp each of cloves + vanilla extract + peppermint extract
- spray bottle (I recommend using glass)
Instructions
Step 1. 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
Ingredients
- ½ bunch fresh basil, chopped
- ½ cup each of distilled water (or water that has been boiled and cooled) + vodka
- spray bottle (I recommend using glass)
Instructions
Step 1. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.
Step 2. Add fresh basil, cover, and let it steep for 4 hours.
Step 3. Strain the herbs out and squeeze excess water from the herbs into the saucepan.
Step 4. Pour the water into a glass spray bottle and add vodka.
Step 5. Shake well and spray on the skin as thoroughly, as needed.
Adapted slightly from Accidentally Green.
Homemade Bug Spray With Castille Soap
Ingredients
- 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)
Instructions
Step 1. Combine ingredients in a glass jar and shake gently to mix. Use as needed.
Homemade Bug Spray With Listerine
Ingredients
- Listerine (classic scent)
- spray bottle (I recommend using glass)
Instructions
Step 1. Add Listerine to a glass spray bottle and spray on the skin as needed.
Tip: 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!
FAQs
Vinegar is another great bug repellent! It will repel fruit flies, mosquitoes, ants, etc. It’s also considered safe for pets and humans.
Some of the scents that bugs dislike are peppermint, catnap oil, citronella oil, clove oil, patchouli, eucalyptus oil
When you add equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water into a spray bottle and spray in areas where you want to repel mosquitoes, it will work! Some experts say if you consume apple cider vinegar, you will have a natural scent that will make bugs go the other way.
More Simple 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 it 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 them on your wrists/ankles to keep the bugs away.
More Natural DIY Recipes
- DIY Citronella Candles
- Homemade Herbal Shampoo Bar
- Simple Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Elixir
- Homemade Toothpaste (That’s Just Like Earthpaste)
Where do we spray the repellent? On the pot? On the leaves/plants themselves?…
Hi Taylor, you can try to spray it on the pot and around plants. This recipe is specifically for spraying directly onto skin and clothing.
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.
I was told to boil peppermint and cloves for an ant and nat problem should I add anything else ?
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!
Tiger balm help keep the mosquito’s away? I hope this works I’m desperate. I’m trying to find something that I can put on my grandchildren with pandemic I’m out of work and there’s no extra money so buying essential oils is not possible and my herb garden is very limited and I’m just not able to replenish or extend it at the time. I hate it that my grandchildren can’t play out side much because of the mosquito’s and we live just 3 blocks from the river. Any suggestions would be so appreciated and would be tried with a hopeful heart
Yes Rebecca! It has some of the same essential oils as bug sprays so it’s a great hack to try. 🙂
Hi Tiffany! ’m just in love with all of your recipes. You are such a blessing. Thanks a lot!
Great info. Thanks.
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.
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/
Hey i was wondering what to use for Arizona bugs
Hi April, We aren’t based in Arizona but if you have mosquitos or other insects this recipe can help!
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. 🙂
Which bug spray have you used with the greatest effectiveness? This includes the e.o. ones as well.
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!
These are really great ideas. Thanks
How long do these bug sprays last for?
They should last at least several weeks Tina, if not longer!
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!
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.
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.