The weather is finally getting warmer which makes me so happy! Unfortunately with the warmer weather comes the bugs. And that means it’s time to make up some DIY bug spray.
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This is Lori from Greco Design Company and I’m here today to share a really effective and natural DIY bug spray recipe that’s also easy and inexpensive to make. I get a little concerned about using the bug sprays with DEET so I decided to make my own and I know exactly what’s in it. I can choose natural and safe ingredients and customize them for my family. No more chemicals and pesticides! Natural is great, but it also needs to work and this does!
Essential oils are a great natural alternative to insect repellents and adding them to a simple recipe helps reduce your chemical exposure. There are lots of effective essential oil options out there, but I found this DIY bug spray mixture works for me and seems to repel my biggest annoyances: mosquitos and ticks – but it also works on fleas and flies. You can get an essential oil starter kit here.
Here are 4 essential oils that repel bugs:
1. Lavender – This smells sweet to us but bugs absolutely hate it. It works on mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and fleas.
2. Eucalyptus – According to the Journal of Medical Entomology, Eucalyptus can reduce tick bites and infections.
3. Lemon – Lemon essential oil can work against mosquitos and it adds a nice scent to balance the stronger citronella.
4. Rosemary – Repels fleas and ticks.
Basic DIY Bug Spray Recipe:
- 2 oz. of Witch hazel
- 2 oz. of Distilled water (doesn’t have to be exact, just fill almost to top – leaving room for the oils)
- 15 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 15 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 15 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 15 drops Lemon Essential Oil
Pour all ingredients into a 4 oz. spray bottle, shake and use as necessary. This bottle size is perfect to travel with. You can use a plastic spray bottle to avoid the risk of a glass bottle breaking. Check the bottom of the plastic bottle to see if it’s #1 PETE or #2 HDPE, either of those types of plastic will work and are chemical free. I also keep a larger (16 oz.) glass spray bottle filled with bug spray for a quick spray before I head outside. I got the glass spray bottle here, but this one would work too.
I also created some FREE labels you can download and print to add to your new bug spray bottles. Click here to download the labels and attach them to your jar(s) with spray adhesive, a glue sick or by printing them on adhesive paper.
- Oils and water don’t mix, so be sure to shake the DIY bug spray before you use it.
- Avoid spraying directly on your face.
- Avoid touching eyes and mouth if you have DIY bug spray on your fingers.
- Safe for adults and kids 10+.
- There are some essential oils that are NOT safe for pets. According to my research, the ones I have listed ARE safe for dogs but I prefer to be cautious and not apply these directly on our pet’s fur. I have read that spraying their collar is a good solution though.
I hope you enjoyed this post and find this natural remedy useful against those pesky bugs! Check out these posts for some other essential oil remedies that you’re sure to love!
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Lavender & Grapefruit Bath Salts
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I see that you have a picture of ants on the label but make no mention of them in the article. I was wondering if you have seen any proof that your recipe works on ants. More specifically sugar ants?
Hi Charles, thank you for taking the time to write to us with your question. This DIY Bug Spray is a topical solution that you spray on your body to repel mosquitos, ticks, fleas and flies. It does not kill the bugs or insects. The bugs don’t like the smell of the oils and it repels them and prevents you from getting bitten. Hope that helps.
Hi Charles, Lori from Greco Design Company did a little research for you on this issue. Here is what she found:
“The lemon essential oil is great ant repellant but this spray is definitely more of a topical use, as you mentioned. However, while I was doing my research, I found a good essential oil for ants specifically. Depending on the situation, there’s a way to treat the ants with a spray or an essential oil-infused cotton ball. I have yet to try this concoction but it does seem the following essential oils are a very good ant repellant.
Thanks!! – Lori
Peppermint Essential Oil – It works and it smells great too!
Tea Tree Essential Oil – a great all-purpose oil that can also be used as a disinfectant in homemade cleaners.
Lemon or Citrus Essential Oil- Citrus oils contain d-limonene, which is toxic to ants. It also masks their scent trails. (Orange, lemon and grapefruit essential oils all contain d-limonene)
To use: Place a few drops of the essential oils on a cotton ball and wipe on baseboards and other entry points. You can also leave a essential oil-infused cotton ball in cabinets and other areas as needed. Repeat every few days until ants are completely gone, or see below for how to use it as a spray.
ANT AWAY SPRAY
Ingredients:
1/4 cup purified water
1/4 cup witch hazel
15 drops peppermint essential oil
15 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lemon or orange essential oil
Instructions:
Pour all ingredients into a small spray bottle.
How To Use The Essential Oil Spray:
Shake bottle, then spray around baseboards, entry points for ants and just about anywhere you’ve seen ants. If you’re spraying on a food surface, omit the tea tree oil and add 15 drops peppermint oil. Repeat every few days until ants are completely gone.