Make Your Own Bug Repellent
To mosquitos and other biting insects, the human race is a giant walking buffet. Some of us are as popular of a target with them as the roast beef carving station, while others seem to attract all the attention of room temperature Brussels sprouts.
Those of us not lucky enough to be passed over naturally by winged diners must use artificial means to repel these pests. But that doesn’t mean our only choice is expensive insect repellents and the complex, questionable chemicals they contain.
There are plenty of recipes for homemade insect repellents using natural ingredients and common household products. With a bit of trial and error experimentation, we can all find a personal favorite recipe to make us an unappetizing dish to pests.
Single-ingredient remedy
Some folks only need a single ingredient to ruin insect appetites. Vicks VapoRub is a popular rub-on choice, as is a cotton ball dab of original flavor Listerine antiseptic mouthwash. Dryer sheets rubbed on skin and clothing, then hung on a belt loop or inside a tent, have been credited with saving outdoor adventures from mosquito mayhem.
For those who find we need something more, the key ingredient in any spray or rub-on recipe is the strong scent of essential oils. These are widely available at chain department and drug stores or online. Choose the oil based on the bug you are targeting.
Mosquitoes: Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint,
Rosemary, Sage and Thyme.
Flies and Gnats: Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Melaleuca, Patchouli, Peppermint and Rosemary.
Ticks: Cedarwood, Geranium, Melaleuca, Peppermint and Thyme.
Now let’s get to the recipes that can ruin insect appetites:
Lemon Eucalyptus Mosquito Repellent
Ingredients: lemon eucalyptus oil, sunflower oil or witch hazel
Directions: Mix one part lemon eucalyptus oil for every 10 parts of sunflower oil/witch hazel. Rub or spray on skin.
Lavender Vanilla Mosquito Repellent
Ingredients: 15 drops of lavender essential oil, 3 to 4 tbsp. of vanilla extract, 3 to 4 tbsp. lemon juice, distilled water
Directions: Pour first three ingredients into an 8 oz. spray bottle. Finish filling bottle with distilled water. Shake to combine ingredients. Spray on skin or clothing.
Homemade Mosquito Repellent
Ingredients: 16 oz. of rubbing alcohol, 3.5 oz. of whole cloves, 3.5 oz. of baby oil or another type of oil (almond, sesame, chamomile, lavender, fennel, etc.)
Directions: Place cloves in alcohol and leave to infuse for four days, stirring every morning and evening. After four days, strain the alcohol into a spray bottle and add the oil. Shake well before use. Spray onto skin or clothing.
Mosquito and Tick Repellent
Ingredients: 6 oz. witch hazel, 2 oz. castor oil, 5 drops cinnamon oil, 15 drops eucalyptus oil, 15 drops citronella oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients in spray bottle. Shake well before each application.
Organic Insect Repellent
Ingredients: 5 ml. neem oil, 2 ml. liquid soap (organic), 1 liter distilled water
Directions: Pour water into spray bottle. Add neem oil and liquid soap. Shake and apply directly to exposed skin.
Lavender Mosquito and Tick Repellent
Ingredients: ¾ c. baby oil, ¼ c. witch hazel, 2 tbsp. vanilla extract, 10 drops lavender oil
Directions: Mix in spray bottle and shake before use.
I buy a product out of Texas, which uses Cedar Oil. It has been a very effect on Ticks, Fleas, Misquitos+plus ants or any hard shell pest. Including Bed Bugs. I always keep a couple gallons of it around. And put it small carry sprayers that fit in Wifes purse and spray it on clothing and bare skin. It works on small newborn kittens and puppies without side affects.
How about fending off oak mltes? Horrible last year…any ideas?
We’ve been addressing keeping critters away from humans but what about our garden plants ? Instead of throwing the leaves from your rubarb plants away just boil them, strain the solids away and put the remaining liquid in a spray bottle . Keeps most plant pests away and even kills them . Use a cooking pot that is not used for human cooking .
Thanks for that great idea, Mike.
I have heard of this method on children in China in that this one wrecks their kidneys and hurts their liver, so please don’t use this method , but my method is sooo simple! All my family uses is sporadic lavender essential oil drops on different places on our bodies. It works double duty as an anti allergen while opening your airway topically on your throat. Also, leave the bananas in the store over summers as mosquitoes love the flavour of humans who eat them regularly!
Thank you for posting!
I am a independent distributor with Young Living Essential oils,I make many DIY items with my essential oils. I love that my family is always safe from harmful chemicals.
We carry a vitality line that complements any dish :)
We carry many products to support our body systems to keep above the wellness line witch is vital in survival times.
My husband has started getting your products to add to our preparation of lesser times.
I can be contacted through my website if anyone has questions about our 100% plant based therapeutic products.
https://getoiling.com/Tonya3182660
Do you have anything to recommend for Oak Mites?
They were the worst scourge ever last year and I am dreading this year’s mites. Help!
What cha got for Nooseeums? Worst bites ever AND they carry Leishmaniasis. I looked like I had chicken pocks there were so many n they got infected.. pus and bloox filled golf ball sizes leisions that took over a year to heal and left me scared for life. They are everywhere! And getting worse..
Has anyone tried garlic? i have been told it makes a great mosquito repellent. A friend who lives in Canada says if you make garlic oil, it works wonders on them. How would you make garlic oil? Supposedly it also deters many other blood sucking insects like horse flies and deer flies etc. ANY IDEAS?
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Garlic-Oil
I just read about wood smoke working well for mosquitoes, but you could make a repellent from liquid smoke mixed with vodka, right?
How to get rid of lfeas on dogs and the yrd.
Please research the Air Restore system and post your opinion. We’re blown away by its effectiveness! Go to: myairrestore.com/wolfewellness Thanks! Keep these great articles coming!!
THANKS for posting this Frank! As a home business owner for Young Living Essential Oils I know the benefit of being prepared with the best options on hand for body system support, environmentally safe cleaners and personal care products as well as products safe for my pets and livestock. Thanks for making theses quality products for survival available to round out my preparedness list . I have my food supply started, my clean water source provided for, working on power and now to focus on other family members in other states. God Bless you and your team!