Mosquitoes are out, but there’s nothing fun about spending all day outside covered in bug spray that’s expensive and doesn’t work well. Why not get your family outside again this summer without slathering toxic chemicals on your family? It’s easy to make non-toxic bug repellent at home for less than $2 per batch that is more effective than commercial sprays. Traditional bug sprays are great, but you don’t need to be beating the Zika-bearing mosquitoes with a stick (or have your kids do it) when you can use an all natural bug spray. In this article, we will discuss why many of the mosquito repellent you find on the shelf contains chemicals that shouldn’t be used around the family and ways to make a non-toxic bug repellent that works.

Non Toxic Bug Repellent

Introduction

Are you ready to get rid of harmful bug repellents? Then you need a DIY mix that smells good and works well. Here’s a great recipe for safe insect repellent.

10 drops Cedarwood

Cedarwood is a natural bug repellent. In fact, it works great as an insecticide and insect repellent. Bug bites are no fun for anyone, but they can be quite annoying to kids. If you’re looking for a natural way to keep your kids safe from bugs, try adding some cedarwood oil (one drop per 10 ml of water) to their bathwater or misting them with a few drops after playing outside.

8 drops Lavender

For bug spray, add 10-12 drops of lavender essential oil to 1 oz (30 mL) of water. Shake well before use.

For bug repellent lotion, mix together 5 drops each of lavender and lemon eucalyptus essential oils. Add to 1/2 cup (120 mL), or as much as necessary, organic coconut oil and stir until thoroughly mixed. Store in a glass container with an airtight lid in a cool place out of direct sunlight for up to 6 months; shake before each use.

5 drops Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a tropical grass that can grow up to 7 feet tall. It’s native to India, but it’s now grown around the world. Lemongrass is an herb and is a perennial plant—meaning it comes back every year from its roots.

Lemongrass has been used for centuries in cooking, medicine and as an insect repellent. The essential oils in lemongrass repel insects by masking their scent so they can’t find you! If you don’t have any on hand, try rubbing some lemon juice over your skin instead as it also contains citronella which works well as an insect repellent (and smells great!).

5 drops Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a natural insect repellent, and it’s also a natural antiseptic. This means that it can help to prevent you from getting sick while outside in the summer heat. Its strong scent will keep bugs away, but you’ll smell great while doing so!

To use eucalyptus oil as bug spray:

3 drops Tea Tree

Tea Tree is an essential oil, meaning it’s a plant-based compound extracted from the leaves, flowers and/or bark of specific plants. It’s also an effective bug repellent that can be used on humans and animals alike.

Tea Tree Oil is often used as a natural insecticide or pesticide, but it doesn’t kill insects immediately—it just repels them by creating an unpleasant experience for them. The ants in your kitchen will still be there tomorrow unless you call an exterminator (which could also be toxic).

Shake well and apply to skin.

Shake well and apply to skin. Using a carrier oil like coconut oil will help you to get the right amount of repellent onto your skin. You should apply it before going outdoors, and then reapply every 4-6 hours or as needed (even if you don’t think you need more!). Apply the repellent to exposed skin that is covered by clothing, and also to any uncovered parts of your body (you can explore different areas as needed). Do NOT apply this product around eyes or mouth; if contact occurs with either area, rinse immediately with water for 15 minutes or until irritation subsides. Do NOT apply on broken skin!

Conclusion

Essential oils are a great way to keep the bugs away. If you do not have all these oils in your pantry, no worries! You can just use 3-8 drops of any of these oils as they will still be effective.