Personally, I’m not a big fan of commercial bug sprays. They tend to be expensive, they’re often full of nasty chemicals, and most of them smell absolutely terrible. So, I’ve been experimenting with my own DIY bug spray using essential oils. Assuming you’re using oils you’ve already purchased for other projects, this is an economical and all natural way to deal with mosquitoes.
There are several different essential oils known for their ability to repel mosquitoes. You can use any combination of them to make your bug spray, depending upon your personal scent preferences.
- Citronella
- Clove
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
- Tea tree
- Cajeput
- Eucalyptus
- Cedar
- Catnip
- Lavender
- Mint
To make your own bug spray, fill a four ounce spray bottle 1/2 full of boiled or distilled water. Add witch hazel so the bottle is ¾ of the way full. Add ¼ teaspoon vegetable glycerin. Add 20-25 drops of the essential oils of your choice from the above list. My personal favorites are lavender, mint, and rosemary, but I’ve found that lemongrass works really well. Fill the rest of your bottle with witch hazel, add the spray cap, and shake well before using.
If you like the scent of vanilla, I’ve heard that you can mix in a little vanilla extract with your bug spray to boost its effectiveness and create a more perfume like spray. Apparently, mosquitoes don’t share our love of this popular fragrance.
[Photo credit: Tom via Flickr]