This Easy Homemade Bug Spray is Affordable, Refreshing on Skin, & It Actually Works!
Stay bite-free this summer with my homemade bug spray recipe!
Buh-bye, bugs and chemicals! 👋🏼
Ditch the chemicals and bugs! My homemade bug spray using essential oils is easy, moisturizing, safe for the family, and most importantly…it really works!
If you’re not buying a bug repellent so good you could eat it, then consider making my affordable and easy homemade bug spray!
But first, what’s wrong with onlinemercial bug sprays? 🤔
DEET is my #1 concern when it onlinees to any bug repellant. About one-third of the US population uses DEET every year! 😱
While the topic of DEET remains controversial, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) last stated in 2014 that they still stand by there not being any health concerns with using DEET. However, it’s hard not to remain skeptical with the lengthy list of warnings they put on each label containing DEET. 😒
That’s not to mention the other harmful chemicals that aconlinepany it. Plus, they all typically smell awful, feel greasy, and probably aren’t suitable for sensitive skin.
And don’t get me started on all the toxic chemicals flying under the radar in many store-bought bug sprays, cosmetics, lotions, etc. 😳
Here are just some of the EPA-listed warnings for DEET I find really concerning:
- Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing.
- Do not use under clothing.
- Avoid over-application of this product.
- After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
- Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
- The use of this product may cause skin reactions in rare cases.
Safe? Nah…this is one time in my life where moderation isn’t key and I’ll stick to my much more natural approach. 🙌
Let’s find out what bugs hate so we can make the perfect homemade bug spray that WORKS:
Mosquitos hate: Citronella, Lavender, Peppermint, Clove, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Basil, Catnip
Black flies hate: Mint (specifically Peppermint), Basil
Ticks hate: Lemon, Orange, Citrus, Cinnamon, Lavender, Peppermint, Rose Geranium
I’ve developed a homemade bug spray recipe just for you that will get rid of pesky bugs and moisturize your skin without being greasy. Even better, it smells good too! 😍
No one wants a difficult recipe, so I’ve also made this homemade bug spray incredibly easy to whip up, take with you on the go, and spray on quickly before heading out the door. 🙌
Before we get started, there are some important factors to keep in mind when making the best Homemade Bug Spray:
You need the right essential oils.
I bought Theraputic Grade Essential Oils on Amazon! Each one is onlinepletely safe for your skin since they’re 100% pure and therapeutic grade. The kit I found has everything I needed to whip up this bug spray recipe and then some since it includes tons of different scents.
The kit is perfect for anyone who plans to make my homemade bug spray and plans to diffuse essential oils or make their own cleaning products at home to get the most bang for their buck! Even better, they recently started offering a 6-piece kit that’s even cheaper and still has all of the essential oils you’ll need for this recipe.
Did I mention it’s also super affordable?
URPOWER Essential Oils Kit – 6 pack – $8.99 (regularly $14.99)
That’s just $1.49 per bottle!
Or you can grab their 18 pack and spend even less per bottle:
URPOWER Essential Oils Kit – 16 pack – $19.99
That’s just $1.24 per bottle! 😱
When shopping for skin-safe essential oils, a therapeutic grade is your best bet, so if these don’t check off all the marks, shop all the other best-selling therapeutic essential oils on Amazon!
*Note that since purchasing mine it does appear the brand is now named “URPOWER”, therefore the bottles and packaging have been revamped, but the oils themselves appear to be onlinepletely unchanged otherwise!
Using the right carrier oil is crucial to skin safety.
It’s very important to use a carrier oil to properly dilute essential oils in order for them to be skin safe. You also don’t want to use too much carrier oil as this can leave your skin greasy and messy during application.
With this in mind, I developed the perfect blend of distilled water + carrier oil to perfectly onlineplement my essential oil blend.
I used the 1% dilution for my homemade bug spray recipe so it’s safe for long-term and everyday use as well as full-body application.
For my homemade oil bug spray recipe, I used organic, unrefined almond oil which has a light scent, boasts many skin benefits, and is a great moisturizer! It also provides a 12-month shelf life which is likely more than enough time to use up all your bug spray!
If you find yourself needing it to last even longer than that, swap almond oil for jojoba oil which has the longest carrier oil shelf life of 2-3 years. It’s just as moisturizing, light in odor, and offers even more skin benefits. The only downside is that jojoba oil is typically more expensive than most other carrier oils so opt for almond oil if you’re trying to stay frugal.
*Note it’s reonlinemended to use a 0.25%-0.5% dilution for children under the age of 2. Always consult with a doctor before using any topical product on your skin, especially for children or women who are pregnant or nursing.
Lastly, use a glass bottle ONLY.
Storing essential oils in plastic is always a big no-no because they’re powerful and can break down plastic over time which can leak toxic chemicals. This makes them ineffective and dangerous for your health, too.
Additionally, UV rays are also very damaging to essential oils. Rapid oxidation alters the chemicals in essential oils, which, over time, breaks down the oils and negates their effectiveness. Store your homemade bug spray in a darker-colored bottle (such as amber) to minimize this risk.
Regardless, a glass bottle is your safest option and since I already had a clear bottle and plan to store my bug spray inside my kitchen cabinet (which is cool and dark), I used what I had on hand.
*I used a 16-ounce clear bottle which was more than big enough for this recipe.
Now, let’s make some awesome homemade bug spray!
Homemade Bug Spray with Essential Oils
PrintSupplies Needed
Directions
1
Add 30 drops of Lemongrass essential oil to your spray bottle.
2
Add 30 drops of Peppermint essential oil to your spray bottle.
3
Add 20 drops of Lavender essential oil to your spray bottle.
4
Add 20 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil to your spray bottle.
5
Measure 1 cup of distilled or filtered water and pour it into your spray bottle.
6
Measure 1/3 cup of your carrier oil and pour it into your spray bottle.
7
Screw the lid onto your spray bottle and shake well.
8
Shake the bottle before applying the spray to make sure the oils and water are thoroughly mixed. Enjoy your bug-free day!
TIP: Notice some separation after making your homemade bug spray?
Not to worry, my friend!
You will notice separation over time – even minutes after shaking. This is a normal occurrence since my recipe contains water and oil (a pair that notoriously does not mix) and it’s not anything to worry about. Separation does not affect the essential oils or the effectiveness of the bug spray.
Simply shake before each use and you’re good to go.
I truly hope you enjoy this homemade bug spray recipe! It’s perfect for the whole family, affordable, and so refreshing to spray on a hot day. Best of all, it’s a convenient homemade bug spray that really works! 👏
Happy summer, Hip2Savers! ☀️
Want to buy the best bug repellant instead? This one’s edible!
