How to Make Your Own Natural Bug Spray

In the past, bugs have been a nuisance to humans and their homes. Today many people are turning to non-toxic bug sprays that work just as well for keeping pests away from your home. The following article can help you learn how to create your own natural bug spray without any harmful chemicals or pesticides

If you want to make your own natural bug spray, the “homemade bug spray without essential oils” is a great way to go. This will help keep away mosquitoes and other insects from biting you.

How to Make Your Own Natural Bug Spray

Bug spray in a spray bottle.

It’s maddening how a small vampiric bug can destroy one’s outdoor pleasures, whether it’s a trek through the woods or a backyard barbecue. People usually go for a store-bought can of insect repellent and spray themselves in a cloud of it to keep’squitos and other pesky creatures at bay.

That will surely enough, but you may also go for more natural options. Insect repellents derived from the environment have been used for thousands of years and can be simply created by the contemporary man. Here’s how you go about combating nature with nature. 

Natural Bug Spray’s Advantages (And Does It Actually Work?)

Here are some reasons why you should make your own natural mosquito repellent:

  • It smells a lot better now. The fragrance of DEET-filled spray is distinct and unpleasant. It may be a touch nostalgic, but it isn’t pleasant. The DIY variety’s natural oils have a much greater scent. 
  • Isn’t loaded with chemicals. DEET is the ingredient in insect spray that you’ve probably heard of, but other potentially dangerous substances may also be present, particularly in aerosol form. Do you want chemicals to stay on your skin and, more importantly, to penetrate into your body (as some of these compounds have been proved to do)? 
  • It makes me feel better. Commercial insect sprays often make me feel like I’m covered in a thin layer of chemical yuckiness that necessitates a nighttime shower. It irritates me. The natural thing feels much nicer on the skin; after a few minutes, you don’t even notice it. This is, in my opinion, one of the main advantages of going the DIY way. 

Of all, all of the benefits in the world mean nothing if something doesn’t function. So, how effective is homemade insect spray made from natural ingredients?

This substance, believe it or not, keeps pests at bay. All of the chemicals mentioned below have been proved to repel mosquitoes and other biting insects, particularly lemon eucalyptus oil, which works 95% as effectively as DEET. The DIY spray isn’t flawless, and it has to be reapplied every 1-2 hours, but it’s definitely effective enough — especially considering the other advantages — to make it worthwhile. 

Last but not least, if you’re concerned about disease-carrying insects, DEET is your best choice. If avoiding uncomfortable and unpleasant insect bites is your major priority, go natural. 

Getting Your Ingredients + Getting Started

Natural bug spray ingredients on a table.

You may believe you’re getting into the realm of kookie tinctures and earthy granola types if you make your own insect spray with essential oils and apple cider vinegar. You are, after all. It’s all right; just accept it and go on. The ingredients may be found at most natural grocers and/or pharmacies, as well as on Amazon. You would think Amazon is cheaper, but much of things was equivalent or even cheaper at my local Sprouts. 

Starter prices should be roughly $25, but you’ll only get a few insect seasons out of each item since you’ll be utilizing little parts of everything. I’d estimate the entire cost to be less than $5 for an 8 oz bottle of the finished product. 

 

Water. Many recipes call for distilled water, which has been purified to eliminate contaminants and minerals. Use it if you have it, but it isn’t necessarily essential. 

Essential Oils are a kind of essential oil that is used to treat These smell bomb oils are highly concentrated extracts of flowers, plants, and seeds. Essential oils are highly concentrated and are nearly typically used in conjunction with a carrier oil or liquid. While there are many of kinds to choose from, some have been confirmed to offer natural insect repellent characteristics, such as: 

  • Eucalyptus lemon (definitely use this one, if nothing else) 
  • Geranium is a flowering plant that is native to (for ticks) 
  • Rosemary 
  • Clove 
  • Cedarwood is a kind of wood that comes from (for ticks) 
  • Lavender 
  • Citronella 

For an 8 oz bottle, use 50-100 drops of a combination of essential oils. To make a perfume that you like, combine any of the above ingredients with whatever you have on hand. I’ve listed everything I used below, but don’t think of them as rigid recipes; I assumed I’d include a few that have recognized insect-repelling characteristics and a few that simply smell good. You might use just 1-2 oils to save money or if you already have them on hand. For additional information on essential oils and carriers, see my post on DIY beard oils. 

Hazel is a witch. A distilled extract of the witch hazel plant produces this transparent liquid. It’s not something I’d heard of before researching DIY insect repellent, but it’s a prominent ingredient in face treatments owing to its skin-soothing and inflammation-relieving effects. Because of its inoffensive aroma and minimal level of alcohol (which bugs don’t like), it’s also the most frequent carrier liquid for natural insect sprays. Apple cider vinegar and vodka are two more typical carriers. 

Glycerin from vegetables. This optional ingredient adds a little bit of moisture to the insect spray to prevent it from drying you out. It also aids in the binding of the substances, since we are combining oil and water. While the final result isn’t flawless, it doesn’t separate as much when glycerin is applied. 

Bottle for spraying. While this DIY product might be used as a rub-on, it’s considerably more easy to put it in a spray bottle. There’s no reason not to buy them because they’re inexpensive. 

2 DIY Natural Bug Spray Recipes

Essential oil being poured into spray bottle.

Spray of witch hazel 

  • 12 cup of water 
  • a quarter cup of witch hazel 
  • 1 tsp glycerin (vegetable) 
  • 20 drops geranium essential oil 
  • 20 drops eucalyptus lemon oil 
  • 10 drops cedarwood essential oil 
  • 10 drops vanilla essential oil 
  • 10 drops rosemary essential oil 

Shake vigorously to blend all of the chemicals in the spray container. It will separate with time, so give it a thorough shake before each use. 

Spray with Apple Cider Vinegar 

You don’t need as much essential oil since apple cider vinegar is a strong-smelling foundation component. You’ll also have to be a bit more selective with your pairings; not everything combines well with apple cider vinegar’s powerful aroma. 

 

It’s merely a question of convenience and/or desire to use vinegar instead of witch hazel. It’s a more common home item, but it’s also more likely to upset its user than witch hazel. 

  • 12 cup of water 
  • 12 CUP APPLE CINCINNIAL VINEGAR 
  • 1 tsp glycerin (vegetable) 
  • 20 drops eucalyptus lemon oil 
  • 10 drops cedarwood essential oil 
  • 10 drops rosemary essential oil 

Shake vigorously to blend all of the chemicals in the spray container. It will separate with time, so give it a thorough shake before each use. 

 

 

Watch This Video-

The “homemade bug repellent for skin” is a homemade natural bug spray that is easy to make and very effective. It can be used on the skin or in a spray bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make natural bug spray for your house?

A: One way to make natural bug spray for your house is by using a mixture of garlic and lemons. To do this, fill the bottom of a large bowl with rice, then top it up with water until its about 1-2 inches deep. Place 10 cloves of unpeeled garlic into the bowl on top of the rice. Add 3/4 cup lemon juice to the mix followed by 2 Tbsp soy sauce. Next, carefully transfer all ingredients into an empty storage jar or bottle you can seal tightly shut so bugs dont get out during application time!

How do you make homemade insect killer?

A: Making homemade insect killer is fairly easy, as long as you have the right ingredients. Mix together water with a few teaspoons of dish soap and 2 cups of granulated sugar. You can also add a couple tablespoons of citric acid to create a more potent bug killing solution.

What smells do bugs hate?

A: Most bugs hate the smell of their own species.

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