31 Powerful Essential Oil Bug Repellent Recipes For Your Personal Use

Who hates bugs? Okay, except for the entomologists out there that have a penchant for natural scents, very few of us like those crawling little insects that fly in our faces, ruin our picnics, and leave bites on our skin that itch, break, and bleed. To be honest, I am not a fan of bugs.

Still, I am a caring person and don’t feel that killing them, unless absolutely necessary, is the answer either. When it comes to arthropods, I never harm a bee because they are necessary for our survival but I couldn’t care less about the mosquito and would probably smash it with no regard for its poor little life. We can’t shoo away every insect that tries to infiltrate our food, our space, or our bodies and that is where repellants come in.

​Essential Oil Bug Repellent Recipes

Their store-bought bug sprays are full of chemicals, and to be honest, I don’t remember using one that ever worked at 100%. Essential oils, on the other hand, are natural so you are not only avoiding putting chemicals into the air and environment, you are not soaking them into your own body through your pores. Yes, when you put something on your skin, it ends up penetrating it via those little openings you sweat from.

Here are 31 natural essential oil insect repellent recipes that should be a breeze for you to do yourself.

doTERRA BUG REPELLENT DIY

When it comes to the production and distribution of essential oils, doTERRA is one of the best companies you can deal with in the market. Personally, I use their products and am more than satisfied with the quality. As for the bug repellent, this recipe should be able to duplicate “TerraShield”, a blend made by doTERRA. We were unable to find the specifics but here are the ingredients.

• Ylang Ylang
• Nootka
• Cedarwood
• Catnip
• Lemon Eucalyptus
• Litsea
• Vanilla Bean
• Arborvitae

When it comes to recreating this bug repellent, try following the guidelines in our dilution methods and you can choose the percentage. For example, if you want a weak solution, then that would be at 0.5%, which means less than one drop of essential oil per teaspoon of the carrier, the coconut oil.

This recipe calls for nine essential oils and a carrier, so I suggest making it at a 2% dilution in a 15ml bottle or at a 3% dilution in a 10ml bottle. This would require 3 teaspoons of coconut oil for a 15ml bottle and 2 teaspoons for 10ml. Both of these would require one drop of each oil listed.

​YOUNG LIVING MOSQUITO REPELLENT DIY

Next, we have a recipe that was specifically designed for Young Living essential oils, which is another powerhouse corporation in the world of aromatherapy. They have an insect repellent they’ve created but, if you have most of these extracts at your home, then you might want to try making it yourself.

• 83% Sesame Oil
• 6.5% Citronella
• 1.15% Lemongrass
• 1% Rosemary
• 0.5% Geranium
• 0.35% Spearmint
• 0.25% Thyme
• 0.25% Clove
• 1% Vitamin E

Mix well in a dark bottle and apply.

COLD COMPRESS WITH LAVENDER AND TEA TREE OIL

This recipe is not a prevention tool but something you can throw together quickly after you or your loved ones are bitten by mosquitos. Grab a washcloth, run it under cold water, ring out the excess, and then mix the following:

• 1-2 drops of Lavender
• 1-2 drops of Tea Tree

Once it is mixed, add it to the compress and then apply to the bites. Repeat every hour until the inflammation is reduced.

​LAVENDER OIL MIXED WITH OLIVE OIL

Here, we have one of the oils used in the treatment of bug bites in our last recipe and dilute it as a prevention technique. Certain essential oils can cause a rash when applied topically so it’s important to dilute them correctly. Lavender is a relatively safe oil, but just in case, grab a light-resistant container you are planning on using and fill it with the following:

• 50% Lavender oil
• 50% Extra Virgin Olive oil

Apply topically to your body. Not only will the lavender repel insects, but the olive oil will also moisturize your skin.

​HOW-TO MAKE HOMEMADE ESSENTIAL OIL INSECT REPELLENT SPRAY

Applying any type of repellent or lotion is difficult when you have to use your hands. As much as we love lotion, getting it on our backs is not the easiest thing to do, especially when you live alone. That’s why sprays were invented, so we can cover more area with ease.

This recipe calls a light resistant spray bottle that holds 4 oz for the following:

• 2 ounces distilled or boiled water
• 1.5 ounces witch hazel or vodka
• 30 drops of Citronella
• 25 drops of Peppermint
• 15 drops of Tea Tree
• 1 teaspoon Jojoba oil (optional; if you add Jojoba, then reduce vodka or witch hazel by 1 ounce)

​DIY Natural Mosquito Repellent Using Essential Oils

A lot of bugs are considered pests by none more than the mosquito. These little vampires suck our blood and leave an annoying welt that’s nearly impossible to ignore. Get rid of them naturally with this DIY spray.

• 12 ounces of witch hazel
• 15 drops of citronella
• 15 drops of lemongrass
• 10 drops of peppermint
• 10 drops of tea tree

Put all the ingredients in a bowl, mix and then pour into a spray bottle via a funnel for future use. Make sure that bottle is light resistant since brightness can alter the compounds in the oil.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR MOSQUITOES & HOMEMADE REPELLENT SPRAY RECIPE

Mosquitoes are so annoying that tons of creative people came up with recipes to get rid of them. Here is one that is completely different from the last one we listed yet it achieves the same results. You still need a bowl, a funnel, and a spray bottle that is…you guessed it…light resistant!

• 20 drops of Lavender
• 20 drops of Tea Tree
• 20 drops of Citronella
• 15 drops of Lemongrass
• 5 drops of Geranium
• 1 teaspoon Neem oil
• 1 tablespoon of vodka
• Distilled water

​Homemade Patchouli Bug Spray

While hippies used this scent to mask the scent of cannabis, the fact is- patchouli is powerful enough to keep the bugs at bay. There isn’t much to it, and it should be simple to throw together in your kitchen.

• 2 ounces apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, or vodka
• 2 ounces of water
• 40 drops of Shield Me essential oil synergy.

DIY HOMEMADE BUG REPELLENT WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

The next few recipes are intended for you to personally design your own scent using one or more of the following oils they recommend.

• Citronella
• Lemongrass
• Rosemary
• Geranium
• Spearmint
• Thyme
• Clove

Pick your favorites and use the following directions/ingredients for number 10 and 11.

• Carrier oil (examples are fractionated coconut and avocado)
• 10-20 drops of essential oils, divided between the scents you chose
• Small bottle or old jar

Mix and apply.

DIY HOMEMADE BUG REPELLENT: RUB ON

• Carrier oil (examples are fractionated coconut and avocado)
• 10-20 drops of essential oils, divided between the scents you chose
• Small bottle or old jar

Mix and apply.

​DIY HOMEMADE BUG REPELLENT WITH ESSENTIAL OILS: SPRAY ON

• Carrier oil (examples are fractionated coconut and avocado)
• 15-20 drops of essential oils, divided between the scents you chose
• 2 oz spray bottle
• 1½ teaspoons of distilled water
• 1 teaspoon of vodka or witch hazel

Add all of the ingredients to the bottle and shake. Then you can apply and tell those pests to bug off.

Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent

Have you ever seen anything as hated as the mosquito that so many recipes were created to rid our lives of them? This one claims to be long-lasting. Choose from the following scents:

• Cedarwood
• Clove
• Citronella
• Lemon eucalyptus
• Patchouli
• Peppermint
• Thyme

Then use the following recipe:

• 1-ounce carrier oil (a mixture of neem, fractionated coconut oil, and soybean)
• 15 drops of chosen essential oils
• Glass spray bottle.

Mix. Shake. Apply.

Homemade Bug Repellent With Essential Oils

Next, we have another “select your own oil” recipe, which gives you the choice of three from the following:

• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Clove
• Geranium
• Rosemary
• Cedarwood
• Lemongrass (can attract bees)
• Citronella
• Cypress
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca)
• Peppermint

Then use the three you chose for this recipe:

• 30 drops of essential oils divided any way you wish
• 3 ounces of water (distilled or boiled or replace with fractionated coconut oil)

Mix. Shake. Apply

Homemade Mosquito Repellent Spray

Here, we have a recipe that calls for much more on the essential oil end and very little of the carriers. Be sure to do a spot check before applying the results of this recipe.

• 2 tablespoons of one or a combination of the following: grapeseed, jojoba, almond, olive, or neem oils (the latter contains natural insecticide properties)
• 2 tablespoons of witch hazel
• 1/2 teaspoon vodka
• 100-110 drops of the following essential oils: 55 drops Lemon eucalyptus, 15 drops Cedarwood, 15 drops Lavender, and 15 drops Rosemary

Add carriers to a 4-ounce spray bottle and add the essential oils; then shake well.

​BUG REPELLENT SPRAY

Here we have a spray that doesn’t require a million ingredients.

• 1 tablespoon witch hazel
• 5 drops master oil blend
• 5 tablespoons water
• 8 drops Lemongrass
• 4 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Peppermint
• 4 drops  Thyme

Combine in a dark glass spray bottle. Shake and apply.

BUG REPELLENT MOISTURIZER

This next recipe is the same as the last, but a few of the ingredients have changed so that it works as a moisturizer instead of a spray.

• 3 drops master oil bend
• 3 teaspoons coconut oil or lotion
• 8 drops Lemongrass
• 4 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Peppermint
• 4 drops  Thyme

TRY LAVENDER AND APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Next, we have a very simple recipe with only two ingredients, which are listed above.

Mix the following in a bowl and apply topically to repel bugs.

• 25 drops Lavender
• ¼ cup organic apple cider vinegar
• Water if vinegar is too strong

​NATURAL BUG REPELLENT

All of the recipes we’ve covered are natural, but here is another one because you can’t ever have too many recipes that involve essential oils and getting rid of bugs.

• 1 cup witch hazel
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vodka
• 10 drops Citronella or Lemongrass
• 10 drops Clove
• 10 drops Eucalyptus
• 10 drops Peppermint

Combine in a glass spray bottle and shake.

HOMEMADE OUTDOOR & CAMPING SPRAY

When outdoor season hits, we can’t wait to pack our gear and set out to a remote area where we camp and reconnect with nature. Unfortunately, sometimes nature wants to take a bite out of you so next time, bring this.

• 4-ounce glass spray bottle
• Distilled water
• Witch hazel
• Purification essential oil
• Optional oils like Lavender and Peppermint

Add 15-20 drops of Purification to the bottle. Then fill it ½ way with distilled water and then to the top with witch hazel. Add a couple other scents if you like.

5-MINUTE ESSENTIAL OIL BUG SPRAY RECIPE

Sometimes, we just want something to throw together on the fly. If that’s the case for you, check out this mixture.

• 30 drops Geranium
• 30 drops Citronella
• 20 drops Lemon Eucalyptus
• 20 drops Lavender
• 10 drops Rosemary
• 1 tablespoon vodka or rubbing alcohol
• ½ cup water or vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin (optional)
• ½ cup natural witch hazel

Put everything in a glass spray bottle from the top ingredient to the bottom. Shake well and use.

HOMEMADE CITRONELLA BUG SPRAY

This scent isn’t only for those horribly dangerous candles that people put in their backyards. Not only is this method safer, but you can also put it together in a flash.

• 2 ounces apple cider vinegar, witch hazel or vodka
• 2 ounces of water
• 40 drops Shield Me essential oil synergy (specially formulated for children ages 2-10, but also good for adults)

Add the essential oils to the apple cider vinegar and then add the water last. Shake well. This mixture should be stored in the refrigerator when not in use.

​BASIC BUG SPRAY RECIPE

This recipe doesn’t tell you what scents to choose, so I suggest picking three that have stuck out to you in other recipes you’ve read.

• 4-ounce glass spray bottle
• 2 ounces of witch hazel
• 2 ounces of distilled water
• 40-50 drops of essential oils

KID-SAFE ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR BUG SPRAYS (FOR KIDS AGE 3+)

Next, we have the same recipe above, just altered slightly for children.

• 4-ounce glass spray bottle
• 2 ounces of witch hazel
• 2 ounces of distilled water
• 20-25 drops of essential oils

There are certain oils that should be kept away from children so make sure to research the scents you’ve chosen well before using it on your kids.

MY FAVORITE ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR BUG SPRAY (SAFE FOR ADULTS AND KIDS 10+)

Here are some essential oil blends that would go well with either of the two recipes we listed below.

Number 1

• 15 drops Lemongrass
• 15 drops Eucalyptus
• 20 drops Citronella

Number 2

• 20 drops Lavender
• 20 drops Lemongrass
• 10 drops Peppermint

Number 3

• 20 drops Rosemary
• 20 drops Cedarwood
• 10 drops Peppermint

Number 4

• 15 drops Lavender
• 10 drops Basil
• 10 drops Rosemary
• 15 drops Spearmint

Number 5

• 15 drops Eucalyptus
• 20 drops Lavender
• 15 drops Lemongrass

​HOMEMADE BUG SPRAY

With this recipe, there are strong scents involved so you should avoid getting it into your eyes or mouth.

• ½ cup witch hazel
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 40 drops of essential oils (Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Citronella, Tea Tree, or Rosemary)
• One 8-ounce glass spray bottle

Mix ingredients from top to bottom in the spray bottle. Shake well, and use.

MIX A LAVENDER SPRAY

Lavender is one of my favorite scents. Not only because it smells good, but also the benefits are abundant.

• Spray bottle, glass
• Distilled water
• Lavender oil

Put 30-40 drops of Lavender in the bottle and then fill with distilled water. If you want to use dried lavender, boil 3-4 tablespoons in 3-4 cups and then strain.

ESSENTIAL OIL INSECT REPELLENT

This recipe calls for some ingredients we haven’t seen yet.

• 3.5 ounces Plant Enzymes
• 0.5 ounces Unscented Massage Oil (Grapeseed)
• 5 drops Thyme
• 4 drops Lavender
• 5 drops Geranium
• 5 drops Peppermint
• 5 drops Cinnamon
• 5 drops Citronella

In a 4-ounce glass bottle, add massage and essential oils. Shake it well and then add the plant enzymes. Shake again.

DIY NATURAL INSECT REPELLENT & BUG SPRAY

As with other recipes you’ve seen today, get a 4-ounce glass spray bottle to mix and store your spray in.

• 3 ounces of distilled water
• 15 drops of Citronella
• 10 drops of Lavender
• 10 drops of Eucalyptus Globulus or Eucalyptus Radiata (the latter for small children)
• 5 drops of Lemongrass

Mix and shake well before each use.

DIY INSECT REPELLENT SPRAY WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

Get a nice glass spray bottle and mix the following.

• ½ cup distilled water
• 10 drops of Citronella
• 10 drops of Geranium
• 5 drops of Eucalyptus
• 5 drops of Lavender
• 5 drops of Patchouli
• 5 drops of Peppermint (optional)

MAKE YOUR OWN!

DAB A LAVENDER OIL MOISTURIZER ON YOUR SKIN

Our final recipe is not a spray on but a homemade lotion that moisturizes.

• Carrier oil (sweet almond, apricot kernel, avocado, olive, sesame)
• Lavender essential oil

Put 1-2 drops of Lavender oil to every ounce of carrier oil. Mix well and apply.

To Conclude

We hope that you enjoyed reading all the different combinations that can be made to repel insects. While we repeated some ingredients from recipe to recipe, they were all different variations, which inspires me to try and create my own version.

If you found this article helpful, please let us know in the comments section below.