Make your own all natural, nontoxic and cost effective bug spray using essential oils
These claims have not been evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Food and Drug Administration. They are my personal opinions and in no way intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases or medical conditions.
Time for another installment of a DIY using essential oils! We're thick in summer season, which means we're really thick into bug season. Down in Texas, mosquitoes are unlike anywhere else and anything I've ever seen! They're not large like they are up north, nor do they make noise... They're silent and deadly! No literally, they carry West Nile virus (including the nerve-damaging variation of the virus) and Zika were here in Texas, and in Dallas to boot. Not to mention, they're thick this year because of a rainy spring! Yuck. At least up north you can hear them flying around and know they're coming... Down here they just bite the heck out of you. Nothing bothers me more! All of this is to say, if I'm posting the recipe for a DIY bug spray on the blog, it has to WORK.
First, the essential oils! Revive oils are my new go-to. Yup, I used to be with Young Living, but the expense of those oils were insane. I asked some of my oily gurus who they got their oils from and learned about Revive. They're therapeutic grade, indigestible essential oils that are NOT a multi-level-marketing structure. You can go on their website and buy them like you'd buy something on Amazon - no need to sign up for some membership! They have packages with diffusers and single essential oils, plus roller bottles and other lifestyle items. Use code Paige10 for 10% off your order and experience the same quality of Young Living or doTERRA without the obnoxious price (and minus the sales people always trying to get you to buy things...)
Now, deet hasn't been clinically proven to cause any harm to anyone, even pregnant women. And if you happen to be pregnant, especially if you're in Texas or anywhere near a Zika virus case, please use bug spray all the time and protect yourself and your baby! You do what you gotta do to keep those icky bugs off you.
However, if you're like me, you might hate the way conventional bug sprays feel on your skin. They're sticky, right?! Gross. And the smell is horrible! Even the "non-scented" versions have a terrible smell to them. Ergo, we arrive at this DIY bug spray. It smells great, isn't sticky on the skin and most importantly, it works! And if it works for me in mosquito-hell-Texas, then it will certainly work for y'all!
I made a larger container and then poured it into the smaller spray bottle. It was the only size I could find, but you can find better spray bottle options here.
DIY Bug Spray (16oz bottle
- 8oz water
- 8oz witch hazel
- 20 drops citronella essential oil
- 20 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 15 drops tea tree essential oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 15 drops peppermint essential oil
*Don't forget to use code Paige10 at checkout if you buy oils though those links - you'll get 10% off your first order! As always, Revive has free shipping to the US and Canada
*Don't forget to use code Paige10 at checkout if you buy oils though those links - you'll get 10% off your first order! As always, Revive has free shipping to the US and Canada
Mix it all together and put it in a spray bottle. If you live in the South,
Enjoy the pleasant scent and spending the time outside being non-sticky with this DIY bug spray!
Do I dare? :P
ReplyDeleteMosquitos eat me alive this time of year. Especially on runs! Bug spray is just as important as sun screen to me when I'm going to be outdoors. Zika is scary!
Do I dare? :P
ReplyDeleteMosquitos eat me alive this time of year. Especially on runs! Bug spray is just as important as sun screen to me when I'm going to be outdoors. Zika is scary!
LOLZ at Jaelan's comment.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of DIY bug spray. I bet it smells awesome (compared to OFF!).
Pinning this! I seriously feel like anytime I spray myself with bug spray I am just covering myself in chemicals. Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteI love my homemade bug spray! Last summer everyone was clamoring for some since it smells so much better than the store bought stuff.
ReplyDeletethis is fabulous - i always feel gross when i use bug spray, so i normally just don't. i had to on the cruise though, pregnant or not i didn't want zika lol. i will try this next time!
ReplyDeleteMy pediatrician always says if he were a bug, he would want to eat Ginny because she looks so tasty!! I am saving and trying this for sure, Paige! PS - I thought your Witch Hazel bottle was vodka. Woops.
ReplyDeleteMy pediatrician always says if he were a bug, he would want to eat Ginny because she looks so tasty!! I am saving and trying this for sure, Paige! PS - I thought your Witch Hazel bottle was vodka. Woops.
ReplyDeleteOoooo this is so great!! Will definitely be trying it and using it. :)
ReplyDeleteEwwww can't wait to try this!! Thank you! My two year old twin gbabies get carried off by mosquitos and i just hate how miserable they get after playing outside. We use spray but its stinky, sticky and expensive! Im making this tonight :-)
ReplyDeletePlease research about using oils on children under 3 yrs old!
DeleteShould this tingle a little when applied? It smells wonderful and seemed to work well.
ReplyDeleteWe made it! The gnats are horrid and gather around your face watching the kids play ball! I spray it on my dogs too! Smells nice and I don't feel like I'm putting a harmful chemical in my face! Then the night time will be for the mosquitos...life in South Louisiana!
ReplyDeleteIts really amazing handy essential oil tip to stay away from bugs
ReplyDeleteIt works prefectly, however, keep reach out of children, not good for them.
ReplyDeletehow long does this last? Should there be some kind of preservative?
ReplyDeletewill this work for ticks?
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ReplyDelete