This natural homemade mosquito repellent works for mosquitos, flies, and other insects. Apply your DIY mosquito repellent with confidence.
Homemade Mosquito Repellent
If you are heading outside for picnics, sporting events, yard work, or relaxing on the patio, chances are you’ve seen a bug or two already. While covering up is the best option for decreasing bug bites, it’s not always realistic. After all, summer is usually HOT!
In the past I have reached for cans of commercial bug spray lying around during cookouts and camping excursions; I figured it was better than dancing around like a wild turkey, slapping myself, and shouting at bugs while friends shot strange looks at me. However, I never felt quite right about it.
Matt has boycotted poisonous DEET solutions for years in favor of essential oil solutions, with great success.
Commercial Repellents
The more I educate myself about DEET and other chemicals, the more I’m convinced I have to be proactive about finding better alternatives. (If you’re new to the DEET issue, you might be interested in reading this article.) I try to treat my skin with the respect it deserves as it performs the difficult job of protecting my insides. Thank goodness I have discovered the power of essential oils and their ability to deter bugs!
Before you get desperate and spray on commercial bug sprays (that may contain some nasty chemicals that end in skin irritation or worse), take some time to consider the better alternative. A natural DIY mosquito repellent that smells wonderful is effective and takes only minutes to whip up.
So how do you make a simple mosquito repellent? I’m glad you asked, let’s take a look.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil as a Natural Homemade Insect Repellent
The main ingredient in our homemade mosquito repellent is lemon eucalyptus oil. Which the CDC and EPA agree are safe and as effective as DEET, though not as long-lasting.
Further, citronella, lemon, and eucalyptus oils are common homemade insect repellents and are registered by the EPA and have been approved for topical use in humans.[1]
Also, About
Lemon eucalyptus oil has been found to be the most effective natural DIY mosquito repellent.Studies have foundthat the efficacy of this particular oil falls third in line, behind DEET and picaridin. It is the only natural repellent that is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and recommended by theCenters for Disease Controland Prevention (CDC)for effectiveness and human safety.[2]
Different oils repel different bugs, so it’s best to use a combination of essential oils for protection against mosquito bites and other insect bites. Don’t let a fear of being eaten alive keep you inside this season. Instead, invest in a few hard-hitting essential oils and test out this natural alternative to chemical sprays.
Homemade Mosquito Repellent Recipe Spray
5 from 1 vote
This natural homemade mosquito repellent works for mosquitos, flies, and other insects. Apply your DIY mosquito repellent with confidence.
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Active Time
- 5 minutes
- Total Time
- 10 minutes
- Servings
- 2.2 ounces
- Estimated Cost
- $5
Ingredients
- 2Tbspswitch hazel
- 2Tbspsof one or a combination of the following:grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, olive oil, or neem oil (which contains natural insecticidal compounds) – (find all these oils here)
- ½tspvodka(as a preservative if not already using)
- 100-110dropsessential oils
Instructions
Add carrier liquids to asmallspray bottle(3 or 4 oz. works well so there is room for shaking).
Add essential oils and shake well before each use.
Natural bug repellent will need to be reapplied every few hours for maximum effectiveness.
Recipe Video
Notes
Sample Bug-Repelling Essential Oil Blend:
- 55 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil(Reported by the CDC to be a good natural substitution for DEET in repelling insects but not recommended for use on children under 3 yrs.)[3]
- add 15 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil(If using, chooseLavandula angustifolia– “Lavender (40-42) essential oil”does not have the same insecticidal qualities.)
- 15 drops rosemary essential oil
This natural homemade mosquito repellent is great for mosquitos, flies, and other annoying warm season bugs. Tweak to your liking and apply with confidence.
Made this recipe?
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Other Bug-Repelling Essential Oils:
- citronella oil
- thyme oil
- eucalyptus oil
- lemongrass oil
- tea tree oil
- peppermint oil
- cypress oil
- rose geranium oil
- bergamot oil
- lemon oil
- cinnamon oil
(You can find these 100% pure essential oils here.)
Homemade Mosquito Repellent Tips and Warnings:
- As always with essential oils, women who are pregnant or nursing should consult a health practitioner before using them.
- Use extreme caution when using essential oils on young children.
- Always perform a patch test to check for an allergic reaction before using essential oil for the first time.
- Always label homemade products well.
- Dark-colored bottles work best for products containing essential oils. Store in a cool, dark place when not using.
- Don’t forget about citronella candles!
Mosquito Repelling Plants
Check out this list of mosquito repellent plants to grow.
Note: This natural homemade mosquito repellent is great for mosquitos, flies, and other annoying warm season bugs. Tweak to your liking and apply with confidence.
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Sources
- Mi Young Lee. Essential Oils as Repellents against Arthropods. PubMed. October 2018.
- Cathy Wong. Which Natural Mosquito Repellent Works Best? VeryWellHealth.com. December 2017.
- Insect Repellent and Prevention of West Nile Virus.CDC.gov. December 2018.
(photo credit to Diane Jabs)
