Even on the best of summer days the bugs are sometimes unbearable but I despise putting chemical insect repellents on the kids and myself. I have experimented with a couple different combinations using essential oils and even plants plucked from the garden. So far the formula below seems to be the most effective, and has the best smell. I love using essential oils to safely replace all the chemicals in my home- they have found their way into my all purpose cleaner, homemade laundry detergent, fabric softener, tile scrub, and more. They are great not only for their amazing smell but because they are also effective for killing germs, warding off colds, soothing upset tummies, reducing fever, and even chasing away pests-enter my homemade bug spray. You only need a few drops of each so this leaves you with plenty of deliciously scented oils to use on other homemade concoctions.
How to Make Natural Homemade Insect Repellent
Ingredients:
- 1 -15 oz. bottle witch hazel
- 10 drops Lavender
- 10-12 drops Lemongrass essential oil
- 10-12 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
- 10-12 drops Citronella essential oil
Additional Items Needed:
- funnel
- spray bottle – the ones in the hair care section are best, as they have a fine mist spray.
Directions:
I use small bottles and divide my witch hazel between them, one for outside and the other goes into the bag we grab for outings.
Fill a small bottle with witch hazel, leaving at least 1/2″ room at top.
Add each of your oils directly to witch hazel, replace lid and shake well.
Shake before each use.
This insect repellent mixture smells so good you wont mind spraying it on and is effective at warding off mosquito’s and other pests. Best of all it is all natural and safe, I even feel safe letting the kids help me make it.
Gina says
*there*
Gina says
Is There’s a replacement for the witch hazel? Thanx for your response
Dianne says
Do you have a recept to stop a male dog peeing inside the house?
Kathy says
do you have a natural ant repellant. I have a problem with all sizes of ants in my kitchen and just when I think I’ve got rid of them, there’s another crawling across my counter top. My concern is that I have a cat and dog.
Brittney says
Add essential orageno oil!!! Mosquitos HATE it !! This is coming from someone that one night last summer, came home with over 30 bites. 22 being in one place on my thigh (i was wearing jeans.).
annette says
Can I substitute the whitch hazel with – ex: rose water, alcohool, vodka?
Caitlyn says
Thanks so much for this “recipe”! I’m slowly transitioning into replacing any chemicals with essential oils and I’m so thankful you posted this! I did read that plastic bottles are okay for oils when they are highly diluted, like in this case. My question is, at what age is this safe to use on children? You mentioned your littles but not sure of age. I know chemical bug spray can’t be used on children under 2, is this safe at a younger age?
Susie says
I’ve heard you should use a glass bottles so the oils don’t leech out into the plastic.
Jody says
Susie glass is a better alternative to plastic, but with two little’s who like to help make and spray this, plastic was just a better choice for us.
Christine Bell says
Hi – this is probably a silly question. After dividing the witch hazel into the two bottles do though then put 10 drops of the oils into each bottle?
Pat says
I wanted to ask the same question. I ended up putting the full list of essential oils into EACH bottle. If too strong I will add some more witch hazel. That part of the recipe is not too clear is it. We are having an outdoor kids birthday this Sunday and wanted to make sure they and parents had a chemical free option. It will out in our grassy garden.
Heather Hernandez says
Smells wonderful too I bet – better than the bug spray you buy at the store!
Jonelle says
I’m terribly allergic to eucalyptus. Do you think it would work if I omitted that oil? Any suggestions on an alternative?
Thank you!
Jody says
Cedar, Tea Tree, Cinnamon, and Cloves are also great for repelling mosquito’s. Try using one of these in place of eucalyptus.