Curious About Natural Bug Repellants? An Aromatherapist’s Guide to Natural Bug Protection

Summer is here…and so are the bugs!  Nothing is more annoying than sitting at the beach or a backyard barbecue and continuously swatting at flies and mosquitoes. When the bugs start to descend it's only natural to reach for the bug spray. Those of us who are of a certain age recall dousing ourselves with products containing harsh chemicals like DEET.  Back then we didn’t know all the dangers associated with these synthetic ingredients.  Thanks to the age of information, we can make better choices.  Now when we reach for bug repellent, we have options. Instead of reaching for a mass produced can of who knows what, isn’t it nice to choose a natural alternative? But do natural bug repellants really work as well as their synthetic counterparts?

As a clinical aromatherapist trained in the therapeutic use of essential oils, I can assure you  that natural bug repellents do indeed work! Using essential oils in your all natural bug repellant is a great way to keep the critters away while supporting a healthy lifestyle. Many people make DIY sprays with citronella and lemongrass but those essential oils are just the tip of the iceberg.  There LOTS of other essential oils, some of which you already know, that are wonderful bug repellants.  I have been making a natural bug repellant for years called Bug Off! It is a customer favorite because it repels a number of different insects and smells great. Some of the oils used in our spray are easily recognizable and a few may be new to you. The choices can be overwhelming. Let me share with you the oils we use in our spray and why we use them. 

Insect Repellant Essential Oils: 

Cedarwood (Virgian or Atlas): I have used both and each are quite effective.  Cedarwood’s primary chemical component, cederol or cedrene, is pheromone disruptor which means it blocks the insects ability to effectively navigate to find food or mate. When this aroma is around bugs will be compelled to steer clear. Cedarwood is effective against: mosquitoes, ants, ticks, fleas and moths. It has a rich woody slightly camphorous aroma that many people find grounding and calming.

Lavender: This delightfully gentle essential oil is high in linalool which is known to overload a bug’s scent receptors making it impossible for them to locate food. The scent also masks the carbon dioxide and lactic acid that we emit, essentially hiding us as a host from biting insects.  Lavender repels mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, gnats, and moths. Because lavender is so gentle, it is safe to use around small children and pets and has a lovely soothing aroma. 

Peppermint: This fresh smelling essential oil is high in the chemical component menthol  and acts as a natural insecticide that repels and kills bugs upon contact. It overwhelms their delicate receptors and effectively hides your presence. Crawling bugs like ants and spiders hate peppermint, use it around windows and doorways to keep them out. In addition to spiders and ants, peppermint also repels mosquitoes, fruit flies, ticks, fleas and even mice. As good as peppermint is, it does have some safety concerns which I will cover later. 

Patchouli: Now before you shut down and say, “I hate patchouli!” Hear me out and let me share all the amazing benefits of this “hippie dippy” oil. Patchouli has a high concentration of the chemical component patchoulol which anchors and extends the aroma of the other essential oils helping the spray to last longer. It is excellent at driving away mosquitoes, flies, ants, and bed bugs. It is also toxic to larvae which will help to disrupt the insects breeding cycle. You do not need a lot of it for it to be very effective in a blend and you can mask most of the aroma by using more lavender or your favorite fragrant essential oil.  

Gandhi Root: Have you heard of Ghandi Root? It is a  lesser known but HIGHLY effective essential oil that is my secret weapon in Little Flower’s Bug Off! Bug Spray because it is so effective at repelling those pesky biting greenhead flies. Ghandi Root contains up to 62% linalool (the same component found in lavender) which when used in the right concentration sends those nasty greenheads packing. It also has an earthy calming aroma and acts a fixative to anchor the scent of the other essential oils helping the repellant to last longer. 

Safety Is Always Key

When using essential oils we should always check the safety concerns before using. Always use a reputable brand that offers safety guidelines when purchasing your oils.  For instance, while cedarwood, lavender, patchouli and gandhi root are safe to use around children and pets, we do need to use care when working with certain oils. For instance, Lemongrass and Citronella can be an irritant and skin sensitizer if too much is used in a blend and is toxic for cats. Peppermint essential oil can be neurotoxic to young children and pets which means it can cause breathing problems. If you are creating a blend for children or plan to spray it around your home*, you may want to swap out these oils for more kid/pet friendly options, such as Catnip essential oil. Catnip is safe for kids, dogs and cats and repels mosquitoes and other flying insects.   

*Please note: while the essential oils mentioned are safe for use around children and dogs, cats lack the liver enzyme to process essential oils.  Never spray your cat’s fur or their bedding with essential oils. Always consult with your vet before using essential oils on your pets.

Let’s Get Blending

Now that we know which oils to use, the question remains how much do we use?  Knowing the correct essential oils to use is only half the equation, the other half is properly diluting oils.  When using the proper proportions with the right carrier (the method by which the essential oils are delivered), we create a powerful all natural bug repellant we can feel good about using.  Typically 1.5-2% dilution is used, that is 8-12 drops per 1 ounce of carrier or base. To make it easier for you, here is an easy kid safe/pet friendly DIY recipe you can create quickly provided you have the right essential oils. 

DIY Bug Repelleant Blend: 

Note: If you do not have the essential oils listed below, you can switch them out for any of the ones referenced in the article, just keep in mind the safety concerns associated with each.  

2 oz. Glass Spray Bottle

1 oz. Witch Haze

1 oz. Distilled Water

6 drops Catnip Essential Oil

5 drops Lavender Essential Oil

3 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil

• Sterilize The Bottle: Clean the glass spray bottle with rubbing alcohol. Let it dry thoroughly 

• Add Essential Oils: Drop the essential oils in the glass bottle and gently swirl them around to mix.  

• Add Emulsifier: Essential oils and water do not mix, so adding the 2 oz. of witch hazel will help the essential oils disperse into the water.  Add the witch hazel and gently swirl until incorporated. 

• Add Water: Top off the bottle with distilled water. Do not use tap water in your recipe or it will become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and fungi, 

• Cap and Shake: Cap it securely with the spray nozzle and shake rigorously for 15 seconds before misting. 

How to Use: Shake before each use and mist over clothing avoiding eyes.  Reapply every 2-3 hours. Keep out of heat and sunlight. You can also mist this blend around doorways and windowsills to keep our spiders and ants.  

Note: Since there is water in this recipe, you will want to make this blend fresh every two-three weeks.  

Other Benefits:

In addition to keeping the bugs away, essential oils can support your emotional and physical health as well. By choosing the right blend of essential oils  you can create a bug spray that is calming to the mind as well as nurturing to your skin. However, for some people, the challenge with essential oils can be that there are so many options and pairing them together can be overwhelming.  If you are in that camp, then not to worry, we have you covered.  Just stop by our shop and pick up a bottle or go to our website and order online. We are happy to take all the stress out of living a bug free life. 

Make It A Lifestyle:

You do not have to sacrifice good health for bug-free living.  Essential oils are an easy healthy alternative to harsh synthetic chemicals and when used with safety in mind they can truly support your whole family from repelling bugs to keeping your house sparkling clean. We invite you to try the DIY recipe above or visit our shop and to see how you can incorporate essential oils into your everyday living. 

Don't Want To Make It Yourself?

I get it, we are busy people...who has time to do all that when you can just pick up a bottle from your favorite Hippie Dippy formulator! You can stop by the shop and get a bottle or click here and we'll send it to you!

____________________________________________________________________Mary Kate Santulli, owner of The Curious Heart Apothecary & Spiritual Boutique is a clinical aromatherapist and the creator/formulator behind Little Flower Essential Oil Blends.  To learn more about Mary Kate’s offerings, stop by her shop located at 11 North Union Avenue or go to her website www.littlefloweressentialloilblends.com.