Are pesky insects bothering you inside your home? You can try these handy Essential Oil Bug Spray Recipes; they work wonders!
Many essential oils are known for their insect-repellent properties. While you can use them alone, a blend of the best insect-repellent essential oils works even better. Don’t worry if you don’t know anything; we have simple recipes that won’t spare any bugs.
Choosing the Essential Oils
Oils such as citronella, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, and lavender are lauded for their superior bug-repellent qualities. But these are not all that you can use. Oils like rosemary, cedarwood, tea tree, geranium, cinnamon oil, thyme, pine, and orange also work well for pests like fleas and ticks.
For bug-repellent recipes, any combination of the above oils would work. Here are some of the most potent ones.
Essential Oil Bug Spray Recipes
You can use these essential oils in each of the blends given below in different measurements and add in other essential oils according to your preference to eliminate bugs like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, silverfish, roaches, and ants.
1. The Classic Combination
In a clean 4-ounce spray bottle, fill it with 2 ounces of boiled or distilled water, 1 ounce of vodka or witch hazel, and 10 to 15 drops each of tea tree, citronella, peppermint, lavender, and lemon eucalyptus.
Make sure that the spray bottle is not filled to the brim; leave some room so you can shake it well before each use. This is necessary for the water and oil to be well-blended.
Note: For safety against unwanted reactions, keep the percentage of essential oils under 15% of the total mixture.
2. Spice and Citrus Blend
Another blend you can try is one with lemon eucalyptus, geranium, peppermint, patchouli, thyme, and clove. While the process and measurement are pretty much the same as the previous recipe, you could change a few things.
For example, you could use 3 ounces of water for a diluted recipe while sticking to 1 ounce of witch hazel or vodka. You could even use half an ounce of witch hazel and apple cider vinegar!
3. Aloe and Hydrosol Bug Spray Blend
You will need a 2-ounce spray bottle filled with Frankincense hydrosol for this summer essential oil blend. Add 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel, 12-15 drops of patchouli essential oil, about 10 drops of juniper essential oil, and then 4-5 of lemongrass essential oil.
Shake the bottle gently to combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Use it around a campfire to get rid of bugs and create an atmosphere of freshness.
Note: It is best to replenish the spray every 2 weeks as it has a water base.
Things to Remember When Using DIY Bug Sprays
- Homemade bug sprays are less potent than commercially sold chemical ones. So, you might have to spray or reapply them a few extra times to experience their full benefits.
- Always patch-test the bug sprays you use on your skin for at least 24 hours to check for any adverse reactions. Do not spray directly onto your hands, fingers, and eyes.
- If you want to use DIY sprays on children, it is best to spray them on their clothes or the back of their necks so the spray cannot get into their mouths.