The Best Essential Oils (And 2 DIY Recipes) For Repelling Bugs
I was born and raised in Miami, FL — the capital of mosquito bites and a total “swampville” most of the year.
When I move to the Queen City in North Carolina, I thought we’d be out of the target zone. But those nasty pests are HERE TOO! Ugh. I guess with being in “The South,” it’s just part of the deal.
It’s safe to say that I grew up being coated in OFF every day before summer camp started. I mean, you literally could not have survived a day at Coral Pine Park without it as the park was so close to Biscayne Bay (cue the bugs being even worse towards late afternoon, right before kid pickup).
Back then, nobody knew how poisonous these kind of sprays were. After all, they have DEET in them, and DEET has some pretty serious phycological and physical side effects (and possible reactions). CLICK HERE to check out this article from MadeSafe.org to learn more.
FAQs About Diy Essential Oil Bug Spray
I get asked pretty often if essential oil bug spray actually works. For Team Marrelli, it sure does! And it has for many of my family members, friends and my health coaching clients. Are there some who will find it doesn’t do it for them? Of couse. But for us, it’s definitely worked well!
So back to the facts:
Plants and herbs have been used for a variety of things — including repelingl bugs — for centuries. Oils are nothing more than plant (or fruit) -based extracts. They are made by steaming or distilling parts of the plant/fruit to extract the compounds that make up it’s scent. For example, if you’ve ever stopped to smell a geranium or rose, that’s what you are smelling — the molecules of oils found naturally on the flowers!
The Center of Disease Control actually recommends lemon eucalyptus oil as an ingredient in bug repellant. And in one study, eucalyptus oil surpassed DEET, as being more effective in repelling mosquitos! CLICK HERE to read the study findings.
Citronella contains citronellal and geraniol — both are known for their bug repellant properties — and can be as effective as DEET when it is combined with certain other essential oils in a DIY bug spray.
What Essential Oils Can Help Keep The Bugs Away? Here Are A Few…..
*I will add links so you can get your own if you’d like. (These are my doTERRA Wellness Adovcate affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Cedarwood: Cedarwood oil is great for keeping mosquitos, flies, ants, fleas, ticks and lice away.
Cinnamon: Deter wasps, bed bugs and spiders with cinnamon essential oil.
Citronella: Citronella oil repels ticks, fleas gnats, and mosquitos.
Eucalyptus: This will be your best friend when it omes to repelling mosquitos!
Lavender: Yes, this is a calming scent to humans, but bed bugs, lice, ticks, mosquitos, and ants hate it!
Lemongrass: Lemongrass keeps flies, fleas, chiggers, mosquitos and ticks off your skin.
Peppermint: Peppermint will deters ants, bed bugs, wasps, fruit flies, cockroaches, spiders, and lice.
Rosemary: Rosemary essential oil keeps flies, mosquitos and ants away. Pro-Tip: Plant some rosemarry bushes in your yard or put in pots around your patio!
Tea Tree: Tea tree keeps lice and bed bugs away.
TerraShield: A blend of oils that works really well at keeping the biters at bay!
Thyme: One of the most effective essential oils in a bug repellant! Thyme oil keeps the mosquitos, chiggers and ticks from biting you.
Wild Orange: Wild Orange is a great repellant for ticks, fleas, roaches, lice, spiders and flies.
Why Make Your Own Essential Oil Bug Spray
#1. They are super easy to make
It takes less than 2 minutes to combine everything and shake them together. A total Mom Win!
#2 They help save you money
I’ll be up front. Buying a quality essential oil(s) for the first time is not going to be cheap. You get what you pay for, honestly. But once you’ve made the investment, they last for a long time! You only need a few drops when you make your own bug spray —- which comes out to just pennies per drop. I prefer doTERRA essential oils over everything else on the market because they are thoroughly tested (with lab reports available to the public) and they are super potent. However, if your budget does not allow for you to purchase from doTERRA, here are two other great brand that offer quality essential oils: Rocky Mountain Oils and Revive (I am not an affiliate for either.)
#3 They are 100% natural
When you make your own, you are not using any DEET or other nasty chemicals. Remember, essential oils are made from plants, flowers and fruits.
#4 They are safe for your children
The essential oils you will use in homemade recipies are usually very diluted. This makes it safe to use on your kiddos. *Just don’t get them in the eyes!!!!! If you do, dilute with fractionated coconut oil.
What are the best all-natural, store-bought bug sprays?
If you aren’t ready to make your own natural bug spray just yet, here are two great pre-made options you can safely use with your family:
Make Your Own Sprays
OPTION #1
INGREDIENTS
• 10 drops TerraShield
• 10 drops Lemongrass
• 10 drops Geranium
• 10 drops Peppermint
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a 2-counce amber (or blue) spray bottle, combine all of the oils and then top off with Fractionated Coconut Oil. Shake and spray!
How To Store - You can keep this at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in a cool place for up to 6 months.
How To Use - Be sure to shake the bottle each time you use the bug spray since the essential oils don't mix with water. Spray it on your body (arms, legs, back and neck). Be sure to avoid spraying it on your face. Reapply every few hours or as needed.
OPTION #2
INGREDIENTS
1 Tablespoon witch hazel
1/2 teaspoon almond oil
5 drops citronella essential oil
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
5 drops lemongrass essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops thyme essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS
In a 2-counce amber (or blue) spray bottle, combine all of the ingredients.
Then, top off the spray bottle with distilled water.
Put the lid back on and give it a good shake to mix it up well.
How To Store - You can keep this at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in a cool place for up to 6 months.
How To Use - Be sure to shake the bottle each time you use the bug spray since the essential oils don't mix with water. Spray it on your body (arms, legs, back and neck). Be sure to avoid spraying it on your face. Reapply every few hours or as needed.
Variations - Any of the essential oils listed here will work well in a DIY bug spray. Just make sure to use a total of 30 drops.
Substitutions - If you dont’ have almond oil, you can also use fractioned coconut oil, avocado oil or jojoba oil.
I’d love to know if you’ve got some other DIY bug sprays that you like to use. Please share the love by commenting below!