Looking for a natural homemade bug spray that’s safe for you and your family?
Mosquito bites and nasty flies in your food in those summer months are a pain in the butt!
We have tried so many homemade bug sprays and commercial repellents over the years and none of them worked very good. Here is our family’s go-to when it comes to getting rid of those pesky flies and mosquitos this spring and summer!
Finding a natural bug repellent that actually works can be tough. There are so many harmful chemicals on the market today that you won’t want near your young children or pets!
In this post, you will learn about the best homemade bug spray, homemade bug spray with essential oils, and homemade bug spray for skin that’s safe to use!
As concern over the effects of synthetic chemicals grows, more of us are turning to homemade bug sprays crafted from natural ingredients.
Not only do these natural solutions offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional pesticides, but they also minimize exposure to potentially harmful substances for both us and the ecosystem.
This natural bug repellent works great for school-age children who love the great outdoors!
This post is all about homemade bug spray that works!
Please note that this article may contain affiliate links or affiliate commission. You can read my full disclosure here and privacy policy here.
Best Homemade Bug Spray
Here is the best homemade bug spray that we have ever had! And trust me, we’ve tried them all! This bug spray works great at repelling all kinds of bugs!
No Deet products needed to make this, unlike other commercial insect repellents! These simple ingredients are available at Amazon or your local drugstore.
Our homemade bug repellent uses witch hazel instead of apple cider vinegar. We have tried apple cider vinegar and the smell was hard to handle on my kids, they’d much more prefer the witch hazel version.
You could also use vodka instead of witch hazel but if you like your martinis, then you won’t want to waste it spraying on your skin!
Some people prefer to use distilled water instead of tap water, we did not notice the difference between using the two. Therefore, we are sticking with regular tap water for our natural bug spray recipes!
Disclaimer: Use essential oils with knowledge and caution. Before using essential oil tips, please learn about warnings for usage (including dosages, usage frequency and application methods) either through the many available resources or consult with a doctor. The information contained on this website is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products. Keep away from children, eyes, mucous membranes, open flames, pets and treasured surfaces. If you are receiving treatment for any condition, check with your health-care professional before attempting to self-treat with essential oils. All information presented is provided as a guideline & we do not warrant its accuracy. Statements regarding health conditions are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Should you have any questions or concerns, please consult with a trusted healthcare professional before taking or using any essential oils. Please remember when reading anything on our website/blog that we are neither a doctor nor a trained healthcare professional. The information that we are providing is meant for informational purposes only and you should not rely only on the information provided on this website if you have a serious health issue. In case of a serious injury or other issue, please consult a trained professional. We are not a licensed physician and can’t diagnose or prescribe medications for you. This disclaimer acts as the explicit waiver of any liability to italianpolishmomma.com
Homemade Bug Spray With Essential Oils
Significant research has been tested over the years about how effective essential oils are for repelling bugs. You can read that here.
There are so many amazing essential oils to use to repel bugs this summer but below are our favorites!
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is by far one of the best natural repellents for those annoying flies and summer mosquitos! Another good choice is geranium and lavender essential oils. The combination of oils together makes an effective homemade bug spray that works and is safe for kids!
The oil of lemon eucalyptus works great as a natural mosquito repellent by itself! Adding the other essential oils helps it work even stronger at repelling all kinds of bugs!
Lavender, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and geranium are strong enough to repel mosquitos, flies, and even ticks! We love this essential oil blend because it smells great, is safe to use, and works like a charm!
Before we jump into the homemade bug spray recipe, a few things you should know first:
- avoid touching your eyes or face if you have any bug spray on your fingers
- avoid the eye area completely!
- spray the bug spray on children’s clothes (not their skin) who are younger than 2 years old just to be safe
Carry this natural bug spray with you on your next camping trip and trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
Related: Learn how peppermint oil can get rid of spiders fast with this natural spider-repellent spray!
Homemade Bug Spray For Skin Recipe
Here is the homemade bug spray recipe, this recipe is so easy to make and takes 5 minutes! You can get all the ingredients on Amazon below!
This natural insect repellents recipe is safe for children to use on their skin for ages 2 and up! For children, we use a total of 20 drops of essential oil altogether! For a stronger version, adults can use between 40-50 drops altogether.
- 4 oz.spray bottle
- 2 oz. of witch hazel
- 2 oz. of water
- 10 drops of oil of lemon eucalyptus
- 5 drops of geranium
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
Click the photos below for more info:
And there you have it, an effective way to keep those bugs away for good! You can also add tea tree oil or other citrus oils if you like those when making your own bug spray.
This recipe above has worked well for us without having a strong aroma and it’s easy to make in a pinch!
Try experimenting with different essential oils to see which combination works best for you and your family!
This post was all about homemade bug spray.
You may also be interested in:
- The best all natural Spider Repellent!
- DIY Natural Tick Repellent that’s safe for kids and pets!
- Immune Boosting Detox Bath Recipe (to kick colds fast!)
- Easy to make all natural Vapor Rub
- Make Your Own Natural Baby Wipes!