Natural Bug Repellent Recipes That Work!

Katie Wells Avatar

Reading Time: 6 minutes

This post contains affiliate links.

Read my affiliate policy.

natural bug repellent
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Home » Natural Bug Repellent Recipes That Work!

Every year as warmer weather approaches, I make several homemade products for summer. This includes my homemade sunscreen and these natural bug repellent recipes.

I don’t use sunscreen often because it limits vitamin D production. I prefer to eat my sunscreen instead. This homemade insect repellent spray recipe, on the other hand, gets daily use where we live (unfortunately!).

Why Homemade Bug Spray?

At my house, we joke about mosquitoes being the size of birds. They certainly do seem to come in flocks! Keeping bugs away with a good mosquito repellent is a top priority, especially with small children who are prone to scratching mosquito bites.

It’s not just annoying bites that we have to worry about. Some mosquitos can transmit diseases like Zika and West Nile virus. Then there are fleas and ticks infected with Lyme disease, Bartonella, and more.

According to the CDC, about 6% of all mosquito types are known to transmit diseases. But it’s impossible to know which ones when you’re just enjoying an evening outside.

Many natural bug-repellent options from the store aren’t my first option either. The label may say all natural and plant-based but they’re full of soybean oil and undisclosed proprietary ingredients. For example, one popular brand of DEET-free natural mosquito repellent features oil of lemon eucalyptus. However, the other 70% of the ingredients list is a mystery.

What’s the Deal with DEET?

While I am serious about avoiding bug bites, I don’t want to use nasty pesticides and repellents like DEET to do it. DEET is in many commercial insect repellents and has mixed results when it comes to safety.

The EPA weighed in on DEET in 1998 and again in 2014, concluding it doesn’t have health concerns for most people, even for kids. Looking at their long list of warnings and precautions, I’ll stick with my natural bug spray.

Dr. Aboue Donia, a pharmacologist found that rats treated with an average human dose of DEET had some issues. They performed far worse than control rats on physical tasks requiring muscle control, strength, and coordination.

In the same study, DEET caused neurons to die in parts of the brain that control muscles, learning, memory, and concentration. Young children are more at risk because their skin absorbs things more readily.

It’s also interesting to note that so far the EPA has yet to complete an endocrine disruptor screening on DEET. So we don’t know know how it affects hormones.

Another common pest control option is picaridin, a synthetic chemical derived from piperine. Runoff from these products contaminates the water supply and is known to cause deformities in certain animals. So what is it doing to us?

Natural Alternatives to DEET

As with most household items, you can make natural bug spray cheaply and naturally at home. Lotion with coconut oil is another DIY I like to make instead of buy. This recipe takes just minutes to mix up. You can use different ingredients based on what you have available. I’ve included several variations so you can try whichever one you have the ingredients for.

5-Minute Essential Oil Natural Bug Repellent

This is the best bug spray recipe I’ve found. It uses essential oils, which are really effective for natural bug protection. I prefer not to put this blend directly on skin, especially on kids. Instead, I use it on clothing or our gear.

Any combination of these essential oils will work

All of the above have insect and mosquito-repelling properties. I’ve included the mixture I use below. For this recipe, I use 100 drops of essential oil in total with a mixture of various oils. If you don’t have a certain oil you can leave it out or use a mixture of the others in its place.

Don’t Want to DIY Your Natural Bug Repellent?

Don’t feel like making your own? There are some really great pre-made bug-repellant options now.

To save time, I sometimes use a pre-mixed kid-safe essential oil blend. It’s made to repel insects and can replace the other oils in the recipe below. Here are a few premade natural bug spray options that don’t require any mixing at all.

I definitely recommend spot-testing for allergic reactions anytime you’re using a new product on your skin, whether it’s natural or not.

Natural Bug Repellent Recipes

I use this bug spray to spray my kid’s clothing on their way out the back door in the summer. I also pack one in our first aid kit when camping or hiking. This homemade anti-itch cream is also handy to carry in case of a random bug bite!

How to make natural bug spray in about five minutes
Print
3.96 from 136 votes

Natural Bug Repellent Recipe

Make this 5 minute simple & effective homemade bug spray recipe with essential oils and other natural ingredients to keep mosquitos and insects away.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • In a glass spray bottle, combine the essential oils.
  • Add the vodka or rubbing alcohol and shake well to combine.
  • Pour in the witch hazel and shake again to combine.
  • Add the vegetable glycerin if using. It isn’t necessary, but it does help everything stay combined.
  • Add the water and shake again.
  • Shake before each use as the oils and water will naturally separate over time.

Notes

How to Use:
I keep a bottle of this bug spray by the back door for easy application. I also pack one in our first aid kit when camping or hiking. I find it’s also handy to carry this homemade anti-itch cream in case of the random bug bite!

DIY Bug Repellent Recipe Variations

Natural bug sprays can also be made without essential oils. Just use dried herbs and witch hazel or vinegar. This recipe is less expensive, but it’s not as potent as the recipe above.

Herbal Bug Spray Ingredients

Herbal Bug Spray Instructions

  1. Boil water, then add the herbs.
  2. Mix well, cover, and turn off the stove. Let cool completely. Covering is important to keep the volatile oils in!
  3. Strain out the herbs and mix the tea with witch hazel or alcohol. Store in a spray bottle in the fridge for up to a week.
  4. Use as needed. Added bonus: it smells great and is very refreshing to the skin.

TIP: You can also use the above herbs and make an alcohol tincture instead for longer shelf life. Add 1 part tincture to 1 part water before use and spray liberally on clothing.

Vinegar Tick and Insect Repellent Recipe

Fair warning: this stuff stinks when it’s wet. Thankfully the smell disappears as it dries. It works really well though. I use this spray whenever I’m going deep into the woods or other tick-infested areas.

It’s based on a recipe that was rumored to be used by thieves during the Black Plague to prevent sickness. Legend has it that the thieves survived thanks to this bug blend. Regardless if the story is true or not, it definitely makes a great insect repellent.

This recipe is cheap and you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen.

Vinegar of the Four Thieves Insect Repellent Ingredients

Vinegar of the Four Thieves Insect Repellent Instructions

  1. Put the dried herbs into the large glass jar. Pour the vinegar over the herbs until the jar is almost full.
  2. Seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Shake occasionally.
  3. After 2-3 weeks, strain the herbs out. Store the vinegar in spray bottles or tincture bottles, preferably in the fridge.
  4. To use on skin, dilute to half with water in a spray bottle and use as needed.
  5. Use it whenever you need serious bug control!

Note: This mixture is very strong and has antiviral and antibacterial properties. It can also be used as a tincture for many illnesses. For adults, I use 1 tablespoon in water several times a day. For kids over two, I use 1 teaspoon in water several times a day.

Other Simple Natural Bug Repellent Ideas

  • Use a non-toxic, plastic-free insect-repelling band like these. They’re easier to use on children and very effective.
  • Add vanilla extract to either of the above recipes or just rub it on the skin. You can also mix vanilla with witch hazel and water for a spray version.
  • Plant insect-repelling herbs in your yard. I grow lavender, thyme, mint, and citronella near our patio and we use these fresh plants as bug repellent in a pinch.
  • Rub lavender flowers or diluted lavender oil on your skin to repel insects.
  • Rub fresh or dried leaves of anything in the mint family all over your skin to repel insects. Peppermint, spearmint, catnip, pennyroyal, etc., or citronella, lemongrass, etc. Basil is also said to repel mosquitoes. I’ve used fresh basil leaves in the garden with great success before.

What are your tricks for keeping bugs at bay? Which do you think is worse… the insects or the chemicals in most repellents?

Sources
  1. Swale, D. R., Sun, B., Tong, F., & Bloomquist, J. R. (2014). Neurotoxicity and mode of action of N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). PloS one9(8), e103713.
  2. Duke Today Staff. (2002, May 1). Duke pharmacologist says animal studies on DEET’s brain effects warrant further testing. Duke Today. 
  3. Centers For Disease Control. (2020, March 5). Mosquitoes in the United States.
  4. Almeida, R. et al. (2018, October 4). High mortality in aquatic predators of mosquito larvae caused by exposure to insect repellent. Biology Letters, 14: 20180526. Royal Society Publishing. 

 

Become a VIP member!

Get access to my VIP newsletter with health tips, special deals, my free ebook on Seven Small Easy Habits and so much more!

Easy Habits ebook on ipad

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

575 responses to “Natural Bug Repellent Recipes That Work!”

  1. Jenny Avatar

    The vinegar will draw gnats like you have never seen. I learned the hard way about this. Just omit the vinegar and you will be fine on the other ingredients.

  2. Jan Avatar

    You mention using vanilla, witch hazel and water for a bug spray…. what proportions work best?

  3. Bethany Avatar

    Can you combine the essential oils from the first recipe and the tick recipe and make an all inclusive repellant? I live in the Carolinas and I’m very concerned about ticks as well as massive mosquitoes.

  4. Cattie Avatar

    Thanks for these tips! Do you think it would work to put a few drops of peppermint and lavender oil in my every day body lotion and just use that? If so, how many drops would you use?

  5. Vickie Avatar

    Hi. I don’t have access to witch hazel where I’m living. Would the insect repellent work as effectively without it? How would I alter the recipe? Just make 1/2 cup, or maybe use 1/2 cup water + 1/2 cup vinegar? My son is traveling to Africa—I really want him to have something effective!

  6. Janice Avatar

    Hi Katie!
    First, I want to say thank you for providing me with knowledge and recipes to help my family live more naturally and healthily! I refer people to your website often.

    We live in CO, and a few years ago, I found out that my homemade bug repellent (made with lemon eucalyptus essential oil) actually ATTRACTED the Japanese beetles that were in the vegetation that lines the trails we use for walking and biking. My boys refused to put the bug repellent on, but my daughter (about 7 yrs old) was happy to keep bugs away, so put plenty on. We started on our walk and the Japanese beetles kept flying from the brush/trees to her. She was screaming and crying, so I put more repellent on her, thinking it would keep them away. But it made things worse! I stopped using my homemade repellent and bought a natural repellent (it did not contain lemon eucalyptus) that was made by a well known natural company, and the same thing happened. I’ve tested this often and am convinced that for some reason, both my repellent and the natural company’s repellent attract Japanese beetles.

    A friend also told me she heard that some essential oils could attract mountain lions (which are definitely in the areas we like to hike) because they smell like the deer who eat the plants around. I don’t know if this is true, but because of my experience with the Japanese beetles, I am concerned and could believe it.

    Have you heard anything about this? We also have ticks and mosquitoes, so I want to use bug repellent without DEET. But I don’t want to risk a mountain lion attack if the oils attract mountain lions. Do you have any insight or suggestions? Thanks for your help!

  7. Roger Avatar

    Thanks for offering an alternative but could you tell me what the measurement a 1/2 cup would convert to in ml? It’s just I’m looking at spending quite a bit on the oils you list so I want to get this right.

  8. Erica Avatar

    Thank you for this post! I’m going to make a linen spray with essential oils to keep the critters away. I’ve been getting the occasional spider bite and I found a spider in my bed a few days ago. Ick!

  9. Vicki-Ann Avatar
    Vicki-Ann

    Hi All, I’m from a Mozzie and Midgie ridden Island in Sunny QLD Australia. Unfortunately since a knee accident I have developed Diabetes, very swollen legs especially the ankles, and an extremely painful condition the resembles Cellulitis that my Dr now does not think is Cellulitis. Regardless of this, he does think that the condition is sparked off by Midgie bites (a very small biting fly that is almost too small to see and resembles a sand fly). My ankles and lower shins are always very red, hot and extremely painful to touch/ move/ stretch. The skin feels like it will burst. And they are often extremely itchy (a situation that’s exasperating when
    You can’t stand to touch them).
    So I’m wondering if anyone knows anything that can help keep the bloody biting midges off my poor legs. I take so many painkillers and medications that I don’t really want to add any other problems into the mix. But was wondering if consuming the neem (dreadful smelling stuff) oil would help. Or if anyone had a successful repellent that was safe around my 4 X furry 4 legged family and my grandchildren ranging from babes in arms to 12yrs. Thanks for any advice in advance.

  10. Kylie Avatar

    Hi.

    Was just wondering if any/all of these recipes would be safe/recommended for use on the carpets in a house with a crawling baby? When my baby is crawling around with less clothes on he seems to get lots of little bites. No idea what is biting him but I’ve caught glimpses of creepy crawlies in my very old carpets. Vacuuming doesn’t seem to help. I thought of a spray or a mix of herbs/oils with baking soda, applied at night and vacuumed up in the morning before he was awake might help. Any advice?

    Thanks for a great blog.

  11. Brigid Avatar

    I’m curious as to the shelf life of this spray. Using water, with no form of preservative, other than the EO’s that have some natural preservative qualities. How long would it be safe to use for, how long will it continue to work for??

  12. Bri Avatar

    I have friends and co-workers who have bed bug issues and nothing has helped. They have tried bombs, sprays, exterminators….you name it, they have tried it. So far, no positive results. Is there an oil recipe for getting rid of bed bugs?

  13. Ann Avatar

    This recipe is great of you are looking for a perfume recipe.Less than 1 min after applying this I had already 3 bites and about 6 sitting on me ready to eat.My friends thought this is a perfume.

  14. Erin Avatar

    I know this is an old post, but I’m curious about the vegetable glycerin? I see it used in this recipe, and in some hand soap recipes…what purpose does it serve? Thanks!

  15. Deborah Avatar

    This spray burned my face worse than any sunburn I have ever gotten. I am going to have to call in sick to work tomorrow so people arent saying “What happened to your face!!!?” This stuff sucks so bad. I feel like crying. Even after washing it off, my skin continues to burn. i am literallylobster red in the face an don my neck as well. WTF!!!!!

  16. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    This repellent didn’t work at all. I just slathered my legs in it and was still swarmed by mosquitoes in my yard, and got at least a dozen bites in five minutes all up and down my legs. Sometimes natural remedies are great but this is just giving people false hope!

  17. Sara S Avatar
    Sara S

    Hi Katie, is it safe to make these with the essential oils during the first trimester of pregnancy? I thought women were not supposed to use them at all during that time. If not do you have any ideas for store bought natural bug sprays. I’m seriously concerned about Zika and want to take precautions. Thanks! Sara

3.96 from 136 votes (135 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating