Homemade Insect Repellent Recipe for Full Protection

Being bitten by insects is definitely not fun, especially if you are like me: allergic to their bites. In this case especially, you need to be extra careful and protect your skin from insect bites. And fortunately, I’m here to teach you how to make your own high quality insect repellent at home from simple ingredients.

This way, you will skip on some of the stronger chemicals that many store-brought insect repellent sprays contain and also keep the budget in check. The best part? These homemade insect repellents work really well and smell really good too.

No amount of zapping, swatting, or hitting can kill all of the insects invading your space. This is especially true if you’re planning outdoors activities where swarms of insects reign supreme, but knowing how to make your own homemade insect repellent can keep you safe, happy, and healthy.

Types of Homemade Insect repellents

We can’t guide you through the steps for making your own insect repellent without explaining the possible types you can make. An understanding of each type will help you determine the one that’s right for you.

Pay close attention to ingredients that you or your family may be allergic to. Also, consider the repellents that are the most affordable and have easily accessible ingredients.

Insects are pesky creatures generally attracted to scent, light, heat, and humidity. The secret to creating an effective insect repellent is finding a natural oil or dried herb that discourages the insect from landing on your skin.

Some of the most common oils that work for DIY insect repellents are:

• Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE)
• Catnip
• Citronella
• Cinnamon
• Neem
• Soybean
• Coconut
• Castor Seed
• Cedar Leaf
• Clove Flower
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Lemongrass
• Patchouli
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Turmeric
• Tea tree

Some of the most common herbs used in DIY insect repellents are:

• Peppermint
• Spearmint
• Citronella
• Lemongrass
• Catnip
• Lavender
• Basil
• Thyme
• Bay Leaf

Not only will you be able to create a repellent that keeps insects a bay, but you’ll smell good too!

You can choose a combination of either natural oils or herbs that appeal to your senses. Eliminating the harsh chemicals found in most store bought repellents also does wonders for your skin and general well being.

The following herbs and oils work best for warding off mosquitoes:

• Citronella
• Lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Catnip
• Lavender
• Peppermint

The following herbs and oils work best for warding off flies:

• Basil
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Bay Leaf

These oils and herbs are best used for getting rid of ticks:

• Rose Geranium
• Cedarwood
• Lemongrass
• Thyme
• Tea Tree

You can choose a combination of natural oils or herbs that appeal to your senses while targeting the right bugs. A strong DIY insect repellent typically has a combination of lavender and lemon eucalyptus since these oils can ward off a greater variety of insects at once.

Also read: How Far Do Mosquitoes Travel

How to make your own Insect Repellent

The easiest way to do this is to make a mixture using essential oils. These are readily available in a multitude of stores (including on Amazon (affiliate link) – make sure to check them out for easy ordering).

To create an effective DIY bug spray, you need the right dilution ratio. Weak mixtures will not repel insects for more than a few minutes. A highly effective homemade spray requires a 5% to 10% essential oil concentration.

How to Make Insect Repellent from Essential Oils

The procedure is the same for making DIY insect repellent from essential oils, regardless of the oil used.

You will need:

• 1/2 cup (4 oz) boiled or purified water
• 100 to 120 drops of the essential oil of your choice (Recommended mix: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, Citronella, Lavender, and Lemongrass)
• 1/2 cup (4 oz) witch hazel or sunflower oil
• A spray bottle

Instructions

1. Pour the boiled water into the spray bottle until it is half filled.
2. Fill the remaining space with the witch hazel or sunflower oil.
3. Add your 100 to 120 drops of essential oils. I highly recommend using a mixture of oils to increase the range of insects you repel.
4. Shake well before every single use. Essential oils and water do not mix naturally, so shaking the bottle is the only way to ensure you are not just spraying pure water on your skin.

Studies have shown that a high concentration of lemon eucalyptus oil provides at least 95% protection from mosquitoes for about three hours. Mix it with other oils to increase the range of insects and also the efficinecy.

We’re going to talk about this more in depth below, but I have to warn you now also: try not to apply the insect repellent directly on your skin. Apply it on clothes instead in order to reduce the risk of it causing irritation.

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How to Make Insect repellent that’s Safe for Babies

Parents have to be very careful about the types of products they use on their baby’s skin, as it can be quite sensitive and for most essential oils, it’s not recommended to apply them directly on the skin.

Creating an insect repellent that is safe for babies requires avoiding harsh ingredients completely. The CDC and pediatricians strongly advise against using Eucalyptus or Lemon Eucalyptus oil on children under three years old due to severe respiratory and neurological risks.

You must replace traditional strong oils with baby-friendly alternatives or consult your pediatrician before applying anything.

You will need:

• 1/2 cup (4 oz) boiled or distilled water
• 30 to 40 drops of baby-safe essential oils like Lavender or Sweet Orange
• 1/2 cup (4 oz) witch hazel (ensure it is alcohol-free for babies)
• A spray bottle

Instructions

1. Pour the boiled water and witch hazel into the spray bottle.
2. Add the drops of baby-safe essential oil. This is a much weaker dilution than the adult recipe to protect their skin and lungs.
3. Shake well before every use.
4. Spray the mixture with extreme caution. Always spray it onto your own hands first and then gently rub it onto the child’s clothes or exposed skin, keeping it completely away from their face and hands so they cannot breathe it in or ingest it.

How to Make Insect Repellent from Herbs

The ingredients are essentially the same as those used in the oil process. The only exception is that the oil is replaced with dried or fresh herbs.

You will need:

• 1 cup of distilled or boiled water
• 1 cup of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol
• Your choice of dried herbs (like lavender, peppermint, and citronella)
• A strainer
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Boil the water and add a total of 3 to 4 tablespoons of dried herbs. If you want to use a mixture, just use one tablespoon of each herb.
2. Mix well, cover the pot, and let it steep for a few minutes. Remove from heat and allow the liquid to cool completely.
3. Pour the mixture through the strainer directly into the spray bottle so the remains of the herbs are completely removed.
4. Mix the resulting herbal water with your witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. Shake well before using.

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How to store your homemade insect repellent

It is pointless to make an insect repellent only to render it useless due to incorrect storage. Fortunately, these don’t require extreme measures in order to last you through a full season (at least).

It is safe to store the insect repellents at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Remember to keep your repellent out of the reach of children!

I personally have repellent that I have used even 2 years after making them (this is what happens when you make too many and forget where you place them) and the smell was still strong and it worked.

So these homemade insect repellents definitely last a long time, which is a good thing.

How to apply the homemade insect repellent

Applying insect repellent is easy! All I have to do is slather on my skin, right?

The method for applying insect repellent isn’t as simple as slathering it on your skin. On the contrary! You should make sure to keep it away from your skin as most essential oils can cause skin rashes or other problems.

Ideally, you should apply it on your clothes only. But in reality, this is impossible as we usually need it when the weather is hot and we wear t-shirts and shorts or other similar clothing pieces.

As a result, test to see if you can apply your homemade spray directly on the skin. My family and I never had problems applying it directly on the skin, but do test it before by applying a small quantity on the wrist of your hand. Wait 10-15 minutes to see if any rashes appear (or other reactions).

Even if all things are good, you should still try to apply as little as possible directly on your skin. Also, keep the quantities under control and use as little as it is required to be efficient against the bugs.

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Why should you use a homemade insect repellent?

Insect repellent is generally defined as a specially made substance applied to the skin, clothing, or other surfaces to deter insects from landing. Chemically manufactured insect repellents rely heavily on N-Diethyl-meta-Toluamide, otherwise known as DEET.

While DEET is highly effective and EPA-approved, many people prefer to minimize their exposure to heavy synthetic chemicals.

Making your own bug spray serves as a fantastic natural, budget-friendly alternative that gives you complete control over every ingredient.

The effects of insect bites are frequently overlooked by the average householder, but they can ruin a great camping trip or backyard barbecue.

Insect repellents are specially designed to ward off some of the most common pests like mosquitoes, flies, and ticks. Taking a few minutes to mix up a natural batch greatly protects your health and comfort outdoors.

Wrapping It Up

Insects aren’t man’s best friend, generally. Apart from being annoying, they carry a wide range of life-threatening diseases.

Protecting yourself from them is an absolute must. Store bought insect spray does the trick, but might contain high levels of DEET, which is what you want to stay away from. DIY insect repellent provides a viable alternative to the chemical-laden repellent.

Different combinations of dried herbs or natural oils can be used in combination with witch hazel to create these safe all-natural bug sprays.

Other variations that incorporate apple cider vinegar, cloves, or baby oil also exist. Utilize one of the recipes presented in this guide. You’ll be glad you did.

And if you want to continue learning important things about the outdoors, I recommend checking out my previous article sharing the Best Camping Food Ideas.