Don’t let mosquitos and bugs ruin your time outside! This homemade bug spray with essential oils is made with simple ingredients, and is effective!
Moreover, DIY bug spray is a great natural bug repellant that allows you to get more out of your summer.
No one wants to miss out on the warmer months because of bugs.
But if you’re like me, I get EATEN. It’s not out of the normal for me to spend a night outside and come in with 20-30 bites.
Furthermore, it’s been that way since I was a kid.
This is why it’s almost crucial that I have an effective, natural bug spray on hand if I’m heading outside.
Does This DIY Bug Spray Work
Yes! I can’t guarantee that you’ll never get another bug bite again.
However, I’ve used this DIY bug spray for three camping trips and a cottage island trip now and it’s been far more effective than others I’ve made (more on that below).
What I have learned though is that you need to re-apply. Really, you want the homemade bug spray with essential oils to be fresh and potent on your skin and clothes.
I personally re-spray every two hours and have found that this step alone makes all the difference.
Bug Reppelling Ingredients?
This DIY bug spray uses only two ingredients and some essential oils.
All you need to do is combine the witch hazel, vodka, neem oil, and essential oils, and voila! You have yourself a natural bug repellant.
While there are a lot of essential oils that can be used for DIY bug spray, I chose the ones most shown to be effective for a variety of bugs.
Lavender- for mosquitos
Peppermint – pests in general
Eucalyptus – all bugs, ticks, and mosquitos
Geranium – great tick repellant
Lemongrass -mosquitos
Cedarwood – toxic to ticks and great for mosquitos
I would have used citronella essential oil but I didn’t have any on hand. However, that would be an amazing addition.
Likewise, when it comes to the brand of essential oils, I don’t rep with any in particular however I do use DoTerra essential oils and love them.
You can check out more of my favorite essential oils in my Amazon store. I also love Plant Therapy. Find a brand that focuses on quality and not adding synthetic ingredients.
One thing to note is to do your own research and use essential oils with caution.
For example, peppermint and eucalyptus is not recommended for kids under 12. I have them in this recipe because I spray on clothes and not skin.
Personally, I've been learning more and more about the best practices from Using Essential Oils Safely. Lea is unbiased and extremely knowledgeable. Thus, use them with care.
Is Vinegar A Good Bug Repellant?
Both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar has been shown to repel insects in both natural bug spray as well as on plants.
However, I found the homemade bug spray I made with vinegar was not as effective.
I used apple cider vinegar in place of both witch hazel and vodka and while I didn’t mind smelling like vinegar, I still got multiple bites.
I also tried using the herbs in a homemade bug spray and steeping/infusing them into the mixture instead of opting for essential oils.
Again, not as effective as this DIY bug spray recipe.
Why You Should Avoid DEET
Like anything else, there are mixed reports on the toxic problems surrounding DEET.
Myself personally, DEET is chemical-based. Likewise, anything I can do to reduce chemicals on myself or my kids is a win.
I stopped using DEET when I read the back label that told me to “wash off the product as soon as you go inside”.
If it’s not something we should have on our skin it makes me nervous.
Ingredients
- Witch hazel
- Vodka
- Neem oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Lemongrass essential oil
- Geranium essential oil
- Cedarwood essential oil
- Citronella essential oil (optional)
- Water
You will need a glass spray bottle as well in order to mix the ingredients. I used a blue cobalt 4 ounce bottle but an aluminum one would be great for outdoor purposes (less chance of it breaking!). Of course you can also use something around the house to keep down on clutter.
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Easy DIY Bug Spray
Equipment
- 4 ounce glass or tin bottle
Ingredients
- ⅛ cup witch hazel
- ⅛ cup filtered water
- 1 shot vodka
- 1 teaspoon neem oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 12 drops geranium essential oil
- 12 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 12 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 10 drops citronella essential oil optional
Instructions
- In a four-ounce glass or tin spray bottle add all ingredients.
- Secure lid and shake to mix
Video
Notes
- Don't want to make your own? Grab the natural bug spray from Primally Pure. Similar ingredients but a done for you approach.
- Do your own research to find out what you feel comfortable with regarding essential oils and kids. Typically, eucalyptus and peppermint are not recommended for kids under 12. However, bug spray is meant to be used on clothes and not skin. So, use your own judgment.
Beat the mosquitoes this summer and whip up a batch of this natural bug spray. Made in under five minutes this bug repellant is simple but effective.
Polly says
There are multiple types of eucalyptus EOs. Eucalyptus Citriodora EO contains citronellal which is also in in Citronella EO. I assume that if I use Eucalyptus Citriodora EO, best to skip Citronella EO? But if I use another type of Eucalyptus (eg Radiata, Globulus, etc), then Citronella may add some repellency?
fitasamamabear says
I would skip the extra citronella if that's what you're using. If your eucalyptus doesn't contain it I'd add it. That said, I have omitted citronella completely before and still had good results with the spray!
Sherri says
I hope this doesn’t sound crazy or offensive for that is the last thing I would want to do. I am teaching a Bible study with a make it~take it session at the end with ladies out of various addictions. I see this recipe calls for vodka. Can you see my question coming? Is there an alternative that is just as effective? Thank you so much for considering our circumstances in your response.
fitasamamabear says
Hey Sherri!
Definitely not offensive!! I can obviously see why you'd want to avoid the alcohol. From everything I've tried and researched, you can use witch hazel pretty interchangeable with vodka. I tried this variation but it was a while ago and a slightly different recipe (not as potent) so I didn't find it worked as well. However, I would definitely give it a go with this recipe. As I mentioned, for a lot of recipes (like DIY room spray too) the vodka and witch hazel can be used in the same way. Hope that helps!
Julie says
Can you use rubbing alcohol instead of vodka?
fitasamamabear says
I haven't tried but it makes sense that it would bind the oils. You may have a more "alcohol" based smell though
Sam says
Any solution for spiders? I have several spider bites the size of tennis balls on my arm and would love to have something to ward them off?
Will be making your bug spray as soon as I can obtain all the ingredients.
Many thanks,
Sam
fitasamamabear says
Oh my gosh that's HORRIBLE! I have never played too much with spider stuff though my gut says peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils in some way. Have you tried using diatomaceous earth? That might help too!