BUG SPRAY
Oh, summer, it is my favorite time of the year. I know some people live for fall weather when you can show off cute boots and scarves, and humidity is not so grossly in your face, but for me, I soak up every minute of hot summer days that transition into long summer nights.
I think the only thing I would change about the summer months is pesky mosquitoes and uninvited bugs that always seem to want to invade my personal space when I am simply trying to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Thankfully, I have come up with a natural bug spray to repel those annoying beasties. And no, you won’t find any DEET in this recipe, just a combination of natural ingredients that work together to ward off insects.
Before you decide to make this DIY recipe however, there are a few notes that are worth mentioning in regard to a homemade bug spray. If you are going out into nature for an extended period of time, this may not be the recipe for you. Homemade bug sprays are wonderful, but they are not formulated to last for hours and hours. Unfortunately, the ingredients often incorporated in heavy-duty bug repellents, that offer protection for an extended period of time, are chemically produced. When I took a trip to Thailand and completed an outdoor adventure course in the jungle, I did not use this recipe, but instead opted for a store-bought alternative. While this may be contradictory to my philosophy on living a more natural life, there are some recipes that are lovely for home use, but do not cut it in the world of dengue, malaria, Zika virus, and the West Nile virus, especially when traveling abroad. I needed something that I could apply in the morning and be protected through the evening — in a jungle where dengue fever is quite common.
If you are searching for a natural bug spray to protect you and your family while having dinner outside, or roasting marshmallows by a bonfire, where you have the ability to reapply frequently, this homemade recipe is a great option. I would simply suggest that you determine what is best for your climate and environment. Additionally, when you or your family have been outside, it is always recommended to check for ticks, even when using commercially manufactured insect repellents.
MAKING A BUG SPRAY
Using a funnel, add 1 tablespoon of organic soybean oil into a sterilized glass spray bottle. Add 10 drops of 100% pure organic cedarwood essential oil, 10 drops of 100% pure organic geranium essential oil, 10 drops of 100% pure organic lemon eucalyptus essential oil, 5 drops of 100% pure organic citronella essential oil, 5 drops of 100% pure organic lemongrass essential oil, 3 drops of 100% pure organic patchouli essential oil, and 2 drops of 100% pure organic peppermint essential oil. Using a funnel again, add 2 tablespoons of grain alcohol, place the lid on the bottle and allow the mixture to sit for one hour. Remove the lid on the bottle, and using a funnel, add 2 tablespoons of distilled water and 2 teaspoons of organic vegetable glycerin. Place the lid on the bottle and gently shake to thoroughly combine. Label your bug spray with the contents and date of creation.
UNDERSTANDING THE INGREDIENTS
DISTILLED WATER
Distilled water is water that has been purified through a specific undertaking known as distillation. This eliminates contaminants from the water including inorganic minerals and heavy metals. It is important to utilize distilled water, versus tap water, to extend the shelf life of your homemade products.
GRAIN ALCOHOL
Straight, unflavored grain alcohol, also known as ethanol, is a natural bug repellent in itself. Additionally, because we are incorporating essential oils in this DIY bug spray, it is important that the oils are solubilized and dispersed throughout the formula. A grain alcohol, like Everclear®, does the trick. I recommend using 189-proof alcohol (which has a 94.5% ethanol content) because of its ability to distribute the essential oil molecules in the spray bottle.
SOYBEAN OIL
Soybean oil is a carrier oil that is very light in viscosity and easily absorbed. There have been several studies conducted that showed a formula with 2% soybean oil provided 1 to 4 hours of protection against mosquitoes. 1
VEGETABLE GLYCERIN
Vegetable glycerin is often derived from soy. For this reason, I highly recommend purchasing an organic vegetable glycerin made from non-GMO soybeans. Vegetable glycerin is the non-fatty component of plant oils extracted through a hydrolysis process. It’s an incredible emollient ingredient to employ when you need to hydrate, smooth, and soften the skin.
As a colorless, odorless, and transparent viscous liquid with a pH that closes resembles our skin, vegetable glycerin is also ideal for those with sensitive complexions. Because ethanol alcohol can be extremely drying to the skin, adding a nourishing ingredient, like vegetable glycerin, can be very beneficial.
SELECTING ESSENTIAL OILS TO REPEL BUGS
The following essential oils offer protection against specific insects. It is important to note that there are essential oils that are phototoxic - meaning they react when exposed to ultraviolet light, resulting in burning, blistering, and inflammation. Obviously, we do not want that, so I highly suggest avoiding any essential oil with a phototoxic warning. Also, there are some essential oils that may cause skin sensitization; so, I always recommend performing a patch test before use. If you are creating a bug spray for use on children, be sure the essential oils that you add to your spray are kid safe.
CEDARWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL
Cedarwood essential oil is found in many bug repellents currently on the market. The aroma of the essential oil is earthy and slightly woody, and can offer protection against ants, flies, mosquitoes, and ticks.
Cedarwood atlas essential oil is considered safe for use on kids.
CITRONELLA ESSENTIAL OIL
We are all familiar with the aroma of a citronella candle. Although there is little evidence to support citronella candle claims, citronella essential oil, when applied topically, can offer about 20 minutes of protection against ants, fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks.
Citronella essential oil is considered safe for use on kids. However, it may interact with certain drugs and may cause skin sensitization.
GERANIUM ESSENTIAL OIL
An active component in geranium essential oil called geraniol has shown itself to be effective in fighting off ants, flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and ticks.
Geranium essential oil is considered safe for use on kids. However, it may cause skin sensitization.
LEMON EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the Eucalyptus citriodora tree. It is considered one of the most effective essential oils to repel mosquitoes for up the three hours. The oil of lemon eucalyptus has even been approved by The Centers for Disease Control as an ingredient that provides repellent activity sufficient to help people reduce the bites of disease-carrying insects.
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is considered safe for use on kids. However, it may cause skin sensitization.
LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL
If you live in a climate where you can grow lemongrass in your garden, this is a lovely way to deter mosquitoes and other bugs (and fresh lemongrass is amazing in culinary preparations). However, if you do not have access to the plant, lemongrass essential oil works, as well.
Lemongrass essential oil may interact with certain drugs, may cause skin sensitization, and may be teratogenic, so avoid while pregnant.
PATCHOULI ESSENTIAL OIL
Patchouli essential oil has one of the most recognized aromas that people either love or strongly dislike. Regardless of whether you are a fan of its deep earthy bouquet, the leaves of this bushy herb have been used for centuries as a natural way to eliminate ants, fleas, flies, moths, and mosquitoes.
Patchouli essential oil is considered safe for use on kids. However, it may interact with certain drugs.
PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL
There are many insects that do not like the smell of peppermint including ants, fleas, mosquitoes, and spiders. It’s not completely understood why these bugs find peppermint so repulsive, but several studies have been conducted concluding peppermint essential oil can offer up to two and a half hours of repelling protection.
Peppermint essential oil should be avoided on children under the age of 3. Peppermint hydrosol is a great alternative if you are creating a bug spray for use on kids.
DIY BUG SPRAY
Materials
funnel
spray bottle
Ingredients
3 tablespoons distilled water
3 tablespoons grain alcohol
1 tablespoon organic soybean oil
2 teaspoons organic vegetable glycerin
10 drops organic cedarwood essential oil
10 drops organic geranium essential oil
10 drops organic lemon eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops organic citronella essential oil
5 drops organic lemongrass essential oil
3 drops organic patchouli essential oil
2 drops organic peppermint essential oil
Instructions
Using a funnel, add soybean oil into a sterilized glass spray bottle.
Add in cedarwood essential oil, geranium essential oil, lemon eucalyptus essential oil, citronella essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, patchouli essential oil, and peppermint essential oil.
Using a funnel, add grain alcohol.
Place the lid on the bottle and allow the mixture to sit for one hour.
Add in distilled water and vegetable glycerin.
Place the lid on the bottle and gently shake to thoroughly combine.
Label your bug spray.
How to Use
Gently shake the bottle prior to use. Spritz the bug spray on arms and legs; keep away from the face. Also, avoid putting your hands near your mouth after spraying.
