How to Make Natural Bug Repellents at Home
We’re well into summer now, and you’ve probably had your fair share of barbeques, baseball games, and pool parties. You may even have a bag by the door ready to grab with your summer essentials—hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and towel.
It’s time to rethink that bug repellent that you’ve been using. If it contains an ingredient called DEET—and most bug repellents do—then you’ve been applying toxins to your body every day. DEET doesn’t belong on any human body, let alone on children and on pregnant women.
Not only are the ingredients in a commercial bug repellent dangerous for people, but they wreak havoc on the environment as well, contributing to our already high levels of pollution in the air, water, and soil.
We’re not suggesting you stop using bug repellent altogether. That would be a pretty bad idea, considering that many infectious diseases, like malaria, are spread through mosquito bites.
The good news is that you can make your very own homemade bug repellent using all-natural ingredients. These DIY bug repellents are just as effective at preventing mosquito bites, and they’re even more cost-effective than any bug repellent you would buy at the pharmacy.
It’s time to go green or go home with your own fantastic homemade bug repellents that really work.
RELATED: Protect Yourself and Your Family With This Natural Bug Repellent
Natural Homemade Bug Repellent Ingredients
Most natural bug repellents contain the ingredients listed below. When you make your own bug repellent, you will be using a combination of these things.
Essential Oils
Certain essential oils are known to repel specific types of pests. For the purpose of your DIY bug repellents, we’ll focus on mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and flies.
Mosquitoes: citronella, cedarwood, clove, basil, eucalyptus, lemon, lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, thyme, geranium, sage
Ticks: citronella, tea tree, cedarwood, lavender, lemongrass, rose geranium, juniper, rosewood, sage, thyme, grapefruit, oregano
Fleas: citronella, cedarwood, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass, lavender, orange, pine, peppermint
Flies: citronella, lavender, tea tree, sandalwood, peppermint, rosemary, sage, cedarwood, orange, patchouli
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is included in homemade bug repellents because of its health benefits for the skin. It eases itching and heals redness, sores, acne, bruises, excess sweating, varicose veins, cracked skin, razor burn, sun damage, and more.
Carrier Oil
Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils and alter their absorption rate. Since essential oils are extremely potent, it is not recommended to apply them to the skin without a diluting substance. Common carrier oils include almond oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil.
Distilled Water
The best way to prevent contamination or spoilage of the essential oils in your homemade bug repellent is to use distilled or boiled water. The process cleans the water of any impurities and ensures a longer-lasting and more effective repellent.
Vinegar/Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is very good for the skin. It helps to restore pH balance, reduce oiliness, and decrease the appearance of fine lines.
RELATED: 5 Natural Insect Repellents
Homemade Bug Repellent Recipes
Ready to make your own bug repellent? Here are some recipes to get you started.
Homemade Bug Spray #1
Ingredients:
- ½ cup witch hazel
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 20 drops citronella essential oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 15 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 15 drops rosemary essential oil
Instructions:
Put ingredients in a glass spray bottle and shake well to combine. Shake well before each use.
Homemade Bug Spray #2
Ingredients:
- ½ cup witch hazel
- 3 Tbsp carrier oil
- 15 drops citronella essential oil
- 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 5 drops cinnamon essential oil
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before each use.
Homemade Bug Spray #3
Ingredients:
- ½ cup witch hazel
- ½ cup distilled water
- 1 tsp vegetable glycerin
- About 80 drops of mixed essential oils (citronella, geranium, lemongrass, lemon eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, or rosemary)
Instructions:
Mix witch hazel, water, and vegetable glycerin along with any essential oils of your choice in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.
Simple Lemon Eucalyptus Bug Spray #4
Ingredients:
- ½ cup witch hazel
- 20 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
Instructions:
Combine the two ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before each use. Apply to skin and clothing.
Homemade Mosquito Repellent Candle #5
This is the perfect way to repel pests if you’re sitting outside enjoying a barbeque or campfire. Light four candles and spread them out to cover more area.
You will need:
- 4 8-oz mason jars
- 1 very large measuring cup or bowl for mixing ingredients
- 1 lemon
- 2 key limes
- 8 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 40 drops rosemary essential oil
- 20 drops citronella essential oil
- 32 oz of distilled water
- 4 tea light candles
Instructions:
Cut the lemon and limes into thin slices and distribute them among the four mason jars. Place two sprigs of fresh rosemary in each mason jar. In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine the water, rosemary essential oil, and citronella essential oil. Mix well and pour into each of the four mason jars. Remove the tea light candles from their containers and place one in each mason jar so that they’re sitting on top of the water. Light and enjoy and bug-free evening!
Homemade Bug Repellent Cream #6
This is great for people who have dry skin all year round. Just bring a small container of your homemade bug repellent cream around everywhere you go and apply whenever necessary.
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- ½ Tbsp natural beeswax
- 8 drops citronella essential oil
- 8 drops lavender essential oil
- 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 8 drops tea tree essential oil
Instructions:
Pour all ingredients into an oven-safe bowl and place in the oven on low heat until the beeswax melts and the ingredients begin to blend together. Remove from the oven, stir, and transfer while still hot into a small jar or container. Apply as needed.
Bug Repellent Spray for Your Home and Garden #7
Keep your home and garden pest-free with this simple spray. It’s effective against ants, cockroaches, wasps, moths, mosquitoes, fleas, and more.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup castile soap
- 30 drops orange essential oil
- 30 drops cedarwood essential oil
- Distilled water to fill the bottle
- 32-oz spray bottle
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle and shake well before each use. Spray directly on unwanted critters when you catch them in the house or in your garden.
RELATED: 8 Powerful Ways to Use Essential Oils to Reduce Stress & Feel Great
Conclusion
These homemade remedies for pest control will help you to stay healthy, live green, and reduce your carbon footprint. In addition, it’s a much more cost-effective solution for keeping you and your family bite-free all summer long!
Sources:
–http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/using-essential-oils-home-garden-kill-pests-diy-bugs-b-gone-home-garden-spray/
–http://www.naturallivingideas.com/essential-oils-to-repel-bugs-pests/
–https://www.angieslist.com/articles/essential-oils-pest-control.htm
–https://organicaromas.com/blogs/aromatherapy-and-essential-oils/diy-natural-mosquito-repellent-using-essential-oils
–https://draxe.com/homemade-bug-spray/
–https://oneessentialcommunity.com/diy-bug-spray-works-kid-safe-options/
–https://wellnessmama.com/2565/homemade-bug-spray/
–http://thenaturalpenguin.com/how-to-make-all-natural-homemade-bug-spray/
–https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/essential-oils-natural-insect-repellent/
–https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/homemade-mosquito-repellents/
