Essential Oil Insect Repellent

‘Tis the season – camping, trips to the beach, hiking through the trees, and getting bit by bugs. If you’re looking for a natural insect repellent to keep your family bite-free this season, read on!

Insect Repellent Essential Oils

Different essential oils work to repel different insects. Depending on where you live and where you’re traveling, you may want to adjust your essential oils to fit the fauna.

Mosquitos:

• citronella
• lemongrass
• patchouli
• lemon
• lavender
• peppermint
• eucalyptus
• rosemary
• sage

Flies:

• peppermint
• eucalyptus
• cedarwood
• patchouli
• tea tree
• rosemary

Ticks:

• lavender
• peppermint
• cedarwood
• tea tree

Essential Oil Insect Repellent Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 parts filtered/distilled water
• 1 part carrier oil (almond, grapeseed, jojoba, avocado)
• 1 part witch hazel
• 20 drops essential oils per ounce of liquid

Mix in a spray bottle, shake well, spritz liberally, and go!

You can play around with which essential oils you choose to blend, but the ones that have been shown to be the most effective are citronella, lemongrass, patchouli, and lavender.

When working with essential oils, always make sure to test the diluted oils on each family member before venturing out into the woods (avoiding the eyes and mouth). Different people will have different reactions, and reactions may not show up until you’re out in the sun. So consider taking a trip to the park or even just in the back yard to test out your new concoction.

No time to make your own? We’ve got a pre-made insect repellent from Citrobug available in both an adult and a kids version. The main difference between the two is that the adult formula is alcohol-based – but not for drinking!

Have you made your own insect repellent before? Which combination of oils is YOUR favorite?

About The Author: 
Kelly Boaz, CNP
Kelly is a holistic nutritionist, specializing in eating disorder recovery and food freedom. She is also a public speaker (TEDx King St. West, TDSB) and a writer. Learn more about Kelly, and about booking private consultations at kellyboaz.com Twitter: @kelly_boaz    Facebook: /KellyBoazDotCom