Easily Custom Make Your Own Insect Repellent

Are you mostly concerned about repelling ticks? Wasps? Mosquitoes? Black flies?
It seems that all of us have our own unique set of problems when it comes to insects. The mosquitoes don’t seem to bite one person, but ticks love them.

Fortunately, there are particular essential oils that are particularly good for different types of bugs. Here is a very simple formula for making your own repellent oil, plus the very best essential choices for stinging bugs!

Insect Repellent
Here is an easy repellent to make that has a shelf life of around six months. Label jars “mosquito,” “tick,” etc. for quick identification.

1o to 25 drops essential oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (olive oil is fine)
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (optional)

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing.

Here are some suggestions for your choice of essential oils:

Bug Repellent Essential Oils
Caution: Pregnant women should consult with their doctors before using.

Ticks First Choice: Rose Geranium
Other: Palmerosa, bay, eucalyptus, European pennyroyal
lavender, tickweed (American pennyroyal)

Mosquitoes: Pennyroyal, lemon balm (citronella), thyme, lavender

Blackflies: Sassafras, lavender, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, cedar, lemon balm (citronella), peppermint

Head Lice: Tea tree, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, rose geranium

Fleas: Orange oil

A note about wasps and yellow jackets: Don’t wear perfume, hair spray, or scented
deodorant. Avoid wearing bright colored clothing.

Read more: Nature, Natural Pest Control

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Shaine M.

8:35PM PST on Dec 28, 2011

i love your website. . . .

send a green star

Miss N.

4:30AM PST on Dec 14, 2011

Tree oil is bad for cats. It's poison for tem.

Karen S.

9:46PM PDT on Oct 15, 2011

Great info. Thanks! If pennyroyal and tea tree can be toxic to dogs, does anyone know how much to use or not use at all?

Susan F.

12:45AM PDT on Jun 26, 2011

Pennyroyal and tea tree oil can be toxic for dogs, even more so for cats, so be careful.

12:43AM PDT on Jun 26, 2011

Santanita G.

10:45PM PDT on Jun 25, 2011

Lavender does not work on mosquitoes. Spent the evening fighting them off. I took my lavender spray and they seem to love it. The mosquitoes were not bothering my husband, but they sure had fun with me.

Frederick R.

5:06AM PDT on Apr 27, 2011

Hey Folks...........Instead of doing all these things to deal with insects, you can visit Natures Own Solutions.com and try the Natures Defender product. It is safe, 100% organic AND works as a Repellant, as an Instant Kill Spray......AND can be used on the pets for fleas & ticks. Also is the only organic product that kills all 3 stages of Bedbugs...........

Jon H.

7:14PM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

also you can use ground cayanee pepper to get rid of pets in your garden or in your house like roaches. Just boil a spice pan with water and cayanee pepper and the smell keeps they at bay and out but not harmful to humans or pets. I use vinegar to make the air fresh in the house from time to time.