Natural Bug Repellant Spray to Keep the Bugs Away

While grilling outside a couple evenings last weekend, I found myself the proud owner of a handful of mosquito bites.  It’s a safe guess I’m not the only one.

I’ve always found the smell of commercial bug repellants extremely unpleasant.  Sometimes I even taste the mist a little and it’s awful.

I have also learned that anything rubbed on my skin can be easily absorbed and has a powerful impact on health; gut flora in particular.

Don’t DEET

The most prevalent bug repellant chemical in commercial bug repellants is called DEET.  It’s used in products like SC Johnson’s OFF!

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, “Case reports of toxicity from DEET exposure have been documented in the medical literature, and range in severity from mild skin irritation to death.”  I read the case studies and while skin irritation was the most prevalent symptom, some experienced “altered mental state and paresthesias, which progressed to auditory hallucinations and severe agitation”.  Of course, the government data did not look at the effects on gut flora.

A 2004 study found DEET to “induce significant neurobehavioral deficits and neuronal degeneration” in the brains of rats.

No thanks!  I did some research on natural bug repellant spray and it turns out there are substances our bodies don’t find toxic that will also keep the bugs at bay.

Natural Bug Repellant Spray

Some essential oils benefit the body AND repel bugs.  Different oils repel different bugs, so it’s best to use a combination of essential oils. The ingredients common to most home remedies include some combination of the oils I have listed.  Contrary to DEET, each essential oil has a list of benefits for the body.  Benefits listed come from The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils In Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health, and Well Being.

• bergamot – fresh, lively, fruity and sweet aroma; an excellent deodorizer; used to treat acne, abscesses, anxiety, boils, cold sores, cystitis, depression, halitosis, itching, loss of appetite. oily skin, psoriasis, stress – Buy Bergamot Essential Oil Now
• cajeput – fresh, uplifting, fruity quality; used to treat asthma, bronchitis, coughs, muscle aches, oily skin, rheumatism, sinusitis, sore throat; may cause skin irritation – Buy Cajeput Essential Oil Now
• catnip – herbaceous and subdued mint aroma; topical anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, astringent, carminative, nervine, sedative – Buy Catnip Essential Oil now
• Virginian cedarwood  – used for its aroma and fixative powers in soaps and perfumes; used to treat acne, arthritis, bronchitis, coughing, cystitis, dandruff, dermatitis, stress, insect repellant – Buy – Organic Cedarwood Essential Oil Now
• citronella – fresh, grassy, warm-woody and sometimes floral; preferred for scenting household products; used to treat excessive perspiration, fatigue, headache, oily skin, insect repellant – Buy Organic Citronella Essential Oil Now
• clove bud – powerful, spicy-fruity, warm, sweet aroma; highly irritating to the skin and should be handled with caution; used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism, sprains, toothache – Buy Organic Clove Bud Essential Oil Now
• cypress – refreshing, spicy, juniper and pine needle-like aroma; often used as a modifier in pine fragrances; used to treat excessive perspiration, hemorrhoids, menorrhagia, oily skin, rheumatism, vertices veins – Buy Cypress Essential Oil Now
• eucalyptus – used in topical preparations such as liniments and salves; used to treat arthritis, bronchitis, catarrh, cold sores, colds, coughing, fever, flu, poor circulation, sinusitis – Buy Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil Now
• lavender – sweet, balsamic, floral aroma; used in many personal care and household products; used to treat acne, allergies, anxiety, asthma,athlete’s foot, bruises, burns, chicken pox, colic, cuts, cystitis, depression, dermatitis, dysmenorrhea, earache, flatulence, headache, hypertension, insect bites, insect repellant, itching, labor pains, migraine, oily skin, rheumatism, scabies, scars, sores, sprains, strains, stress, stretch marks, vertigo, whooping cough and gives superpowers like the Avengers.  Okay, kidding.  Maybe. – Buy Organic Lavender ( Lavandula officinalis) Essential Oil Now
• lemon – should be well diluted as it can cause skin irritation; avoid using when going out into the sun as it can cause redness and burning of the skin; used to treat athlete’s foot, chilblains, colds, corns, dull skin, flu, oily skin, spots, varicose veins, warts – Buy Organic Lemon Essential Oil Now
• lemongrass – powerful, lemony, grassy aroma; used in insect repellents, room sprays, soaps and detergents; used to treat acne, athlete’s foot, excessive perspiration, insect repellant, muscle aches, oily skin, scabies, stress – Buy Lemongrass Essential Oil Now
• peppermint – powerful, sweet, menthol aroma; when inhaled undiluted, can make the eyes water and the sinuses tingle; used to treat asthma, colic, exhaustion, flu, flatulence, headache, nausea, scabies, sinusitis, vertigo – Buy Organic Peppermint Essential Oil Now
• rosemary – arthritis, dandruff, dull skin, exhaustion, gout, hair care, muscle aches and cramping, neuralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism – Buy Organic Rosemary Essential Oil Now
• tea tree – warm, spicy, medicinal and volatile; used to scent spicy colognes and aftershaves; used to treat acne, athletes foot, candida, chicken pox, cold sores, corns, cuts, flu, insect bites, itching, migraine, oily skin, ringworm, sinusitis, sores, spots, urethritis, warts, whooping cough – Buy Organic Tea Tree (Melaleuca) Essential Oil Now

You can buy premixed blends of these oils.  Here’s one called Insect Shield Synergy. Essential Oil Blend. 10 ml (1/3 oz). 100% Pure, Undiluted, Therapeutic Grade. (Blend of: Citronella, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Lemongrass, Lavender, Litsea, Tea Tree, Patchouli & Catnip)

Natural Witch Hazel (you’ll see rubbing alcohol or vodka used in place of witch hazel) – It’s used as a preservative.  Witch hazel is an extract of the shrub Hamamelis. This astringent has been used on the skin for centuries to relieve bruises, sprains, minor injuries and irritations, including insect bites. Here’s an organic one called Humphrey’s Witch Hazel Astringent, 16 Ounce

Apple Cider Vinegar – for the stronger solutions (I use Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar)

If You Prefer to Buy Natural Insect Repellant

I went out to Earth fare and Whole Foods this week to read bug spray labels.  Some contained natural ingredients that were questionable, like soy oil.  I found two options that used only essential oils.

Greenerways Organic Bug Spray – 4 oz, 3 Pack

Quantum Health Buzzaway Spray, 8 Ounce – I bought this one.

Make Your Own Essential Oil Bug Spray

Since there are ingredients in bug spray, there are also recipes.  Normally, I quote doctors and scientists.  In this section, I’m going above them.  I’m going to quote moms.

One blog I follow and recommend is wellnessmama.com.  This is Katie’s recipe.

Wellness Mama Bug Spray Ingredients

• Essential oils: choose from Citronella, Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Cajeput, Eucalyptus, Cedar, Catnip, Lavender, Mint
• Natural Witch Hazel
• Distilled or boiled Water
• Vegetable glycerin (optional)

Steps to Make the Wellness Mama Bug Spray

1. Fill spray bottle (8 ounce is suggested) 1/2 full with distilled or boiled water
2. Add witch hazel to fill almost to the top
3. Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin if using
4. Add 30-50 drops of essential oils to desired scent. The more oils you use, the stronger the spray will be. Katie says her favorite mix is: Rosemary, Clove, Cajeput, Lavender, Cinnamon and Eucalyptus.

Here’s another recipe from Matt and Betsy at DIY Natural.  They say this is  great for mosquitos, flies, and other annoying warm season bugs.

DIY Natural Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of one or a combination of the following: witch hazel or vodka
• 2 tablespoons of one or a combination of the following: grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, olive oil, or neem oil (which contains natural insecticidal compounds)
• ½ teaspoon vodka as preservative (if not already using)
• 100-110 drops essential oils

DIY Natural Oil Blend:

• 55 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
• 15 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 15 drops lavender essential oil (if using, choose Lavandula angustifolia– “Lavender (40-42) essential oil” does not have the same insecticidal qualities)
• 15 drops rosemary essential oil

DIY Natural Directions:

Add carrier liquids to small spray bottle (3 or 4 oz. works well so there is room for shaking). Add essential oils. Shake well before each use. Natural bug repellent will need to be reapplied every few hours for maximum effectiveness.

Okay, so this recipe is from a doctor instead of a mom.  Dr. Josh Axe offers this recipe that takes about two minutes to prepare:

 Dr. Axe ingredients:

• 1/2 cup witch hazel
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 40 drops essential oils (eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, tea tree, or rosemary)
• Glass spray bottle like this one

Dr. Axe Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients and pour into spray bottles
2. Spray over all portions of the body but avoid repellent in eyes and mouth

Videos so we can see someone do it

This one is from Mama Natural.

From Natural Training Center

From Mother Earth Living

Tips and Warnings:

• Use dark-colored bottles for essential oils. Store in a cool, dark place when not using.
• Always label homemade products so the contents can be easily identified, even by children.
• Women who are pregnant or nursing should consult a health practitioner before using.
• Extreme caution should be used when using essential oils on young children.
• Perform a patch test to check for an allergic reaction before using an essential oil for the first time on a larger portion of your body.

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Thanks for reading!

Jeff