DIY Bug Spray with Essential Oils

We’re heading into summer and that means we’ll all be spending more time outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather. What we might not be enjoying are the bug bites that can come along with spending more time in nature.

There are loads of insect repellents and bug sprays on the market and a lot of them are loaded with toxic chemicals. Most of the active ingredients in bug sprays are pesticides.  I personally avoid eating foods that might have been grown with pesticides – why would I want to spray them all over my body?

DEET is a common chemical found in bug sprays because it is so effective. However, it’s effective because it can be toxic and some studies have found that it can interfere with enzyme function in your body.

There are concerns that DEET can have an effect on cell function in parts of your brain and it can even melt plastic. Do you want to rub something that can melt plastic into you skin? Me either! Plus, it and other chemicals used in bug sprays are damaging to the environment.

Click here to see a list of ingredients in bug spray you should use with caution or avoid.

Given all of this and since we know everything we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies, I avoid the majority of the insect repellents on the market. It puts me much more at ease to simply make my own natural bug spray using essential oils.

By making your own bug spray, you can feel good about the spray you are using on yourself and your children and avoid insect bites without worrying about how toxic chemicals might be affecting your family or the environment.

This bug spray is very easy to make, just see for yourself!

And if you don’t really feel like making it, you can try this organic bug spray from Badger or this one from NOW Foods. NOW Foods also came out with an essential oil blend that you can diffuse in your home or yard to keep those bugs away.

DIY Bug Spray with Essential Oils

This recipe is for 2 ounce glass spray bottles, if you’re using a 1 ounce one, cut the recipe in half.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) water
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka
• 12 drops citronella essential oil
• 10 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 8 drops of thyme essential oil
• 16 drops of lemongrass essential oil

Note: This recipe is safe for kids 6 and up but should not be put on face and arms. Before applying it all over your body, test it in a small area of your skin to make sure you’re not sensitive to any of these ingredients.

Instructions:

Add 1 ounce of vodka or witch hazel to a 2 ounce glass spray bottle.

Then, add all the essential oils.

Fill the remaining space in the spray bottle with water.

Place the lid on the spray bottle and its’ ready!

To use: make sure to shake well before each use. Mist the spray onto your skin wherever you wish to protect yourself from bugs.

Whether camping, hiking, on a trip to the lake or beach, picnicking, or just hanging out in your backyard, bring along this easy to make bug spray to help keep biting insects away.