Guess what? It’s almost summer and you know what that means! Creepy crawly critters! – Side note: Try saying that three times fast! – Creepy crawly critters aren’t high on my list of things to interact with this summer which means one thing; I need a high quality bug spray to keep them away. I could go out to the store and buy a chemical spray but I’m sure we’re all aware that I don’t like chemicals very much. I could buy an all-natural bug spray but let’s face it. They’re quite often very expensive and far too many of them simply don’t work. So what is a cheap girl who wants to keep those creepy crawly critters away to do? Make her own DIY bug spray! This homemade all-natural bug spray works better than anything I’ve ever bought in the store and is super simple to make! It works amazingly well alongside of my DIY Sunscreen Bars that we use so it is a must have in my summer bag!
This DIY Bug Spray uses lemongrass essential oil, peppermint essential oil and a few others to create a fantastic smelling base that keeps bugs – especially mosquitos – away. Both are great for keeping creepy crawlies away without needing harsh chemicals. The other essential oils in this all-natural homemade bug spray work with the lemongrass and peppermint to keep away other kinds of bugs too so that you don’t just get coverage for one type. I like to spray it on when we’re sitting in the backyard to give myself coverage then use my DIY Citronella Candles to help keep them away from the family as a whole.
DIY Bug Spray – Homemade All-Natural Bug Spray
Like I mentioned above, it is a mainstay in my summer bag. I keep this all-natural homemade bug spray, a homemade citronella candle and my homemade first aid spray with essential oils in it at all times when we’re out camping or at the beach. You never know when you’ll need something. When I’m planning a hiking trip, I also make sure that I’ve made up a new batch of this just for the trip so that we don’t have to worry about whether we’ve forgotten it or not.
When you make your own DIY bug spray, you’ll want to make sure that you use a dark glass essential oil spray bottle. The oils in this can degrade plastic overtime so it is best to use glass. Not only that, but light is the enemy of essential oils and causes them to lose their potency. By using a dark container, you keep out light making sure that your all-natural homemade bug spray lasts longer. When you make this, it doesn’t matter which brand of essential oils you use as long as they are truly 100% pure essential oils. There are no government tests for essential oils to prove purity which means that anyone can slap a “therapeutic grade” label on an essential oil and call it good. For this one, I used Simply Earth essential oils and a couple of others because they were what I had on hand. Another brand that I really like is Plant Therapy Essential Oils. Both are really affordable and I don’t worry that they’re not pure essential oils.
You will need:
- 1 oz (30ml) witch hazel
- 1 oz (30ml) distilled water
- 25 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops Four thieves essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 oz dark glass spray bottle
Add the distilled water and witch hazel to the spray bottle, put the cap on and shake it well to combine.
Then, add the essential oils to the bottle, cap and shake well. You can add the ingredients all at once, but I prefer to add the water/witch hazel first so that I’m positive that all of the ingredients are mixed in well.
Once you have your all-natural homemade bug spray mixed up, store it in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and high temperatures. The oils will separate a bit between when you make it and when you use it so be sure to give it a good shake before you use it. Use caution with small children since some of the oils involved can be harsh on them. You may need to play with the number of drops that you include. The ones that I have given in this recipe work for us, but you might want something different to change the smell a bit. I love the way it smells with our recipe, but each nose to their own!