DIY Herbal Bug Spray (Kid-Friendly & Chemical-Free)

Bugs be gone, naturally. 🌿 Our homemade herbal bug spray keeps the bites away without the harsh chemicals.

Mosquitos love me. I’m talking romantic comedy level obsession they find me in a crowd every time. To make things worse, I’m allergic to them. A single bite can leave me with itchy bumps that last for days, and if I get too many, I can even break out in hives.

Like most parents, I’ve tried to avoid coating myself and the kids in chemical-heavy sprays that smell like a science experiment gone wrong. I wanted something safe, gentle, and actually pleasant to use.

After digging through research and playing around with ingredients, I finally made my own homemade herbal bug spray this week and let me tell you it’s a game-changer. It’s super easy to make, smells like fresh herbs, and my kids don’t mind it at all. I even keep a little 2-ounce spray bottle in my purse for “just in case” moments.

For our test run, we went to a park with a pretty bad fly problem. After a few sprays, fewer flies were landing on us and no mosquitos! Success!

Essential Oils That Keep Bugs Away

Nature has its own defense system plants produce natural compounds that pests can’t stand. Here are some of the most effective essential oils for repelling different pests:

Mosquitos

• Citronella

• Lemon eucalyptus

• Peppermint

• Lemon

• Eucalyptus

• Catnip

• Basil

• Clove

• Thyme

• Lemongrass

• Geranium

• Lavender

Fleas

• Cedarwood

• Citronella

• Eucalyptus

• Tea tree oil

• Lemongrass

• Lavender

• Orange

• Pine

Ticks

• Rose geranium

• Juniper

• Rosewood

• Thyme

• Grapefruit

• Oregano

Other Helpful Ingredients

Some studies show that these can boost your spray’s effectiveness:

• Neem oil

• Soybean oil

• Vodka

• Garlic

• Vanilla extract

  
  

My DIY Bug Spray Recipe

No chemicals, no fuss just herbs, oils, and a whole lot of love.

What You’ll Need:

• 4 oz clean spray bottle

• 2 oz distilled or boiled water

• 1 oz witch hazel or vodka (helps preserve and disperse oils)

• 50–75 drops of essential oils (mix and match from the list above)

• Optional: 0.5 oz jojoba oil or grapeseed oil (for skin moisturizing)
  

Instructions:

1. Pour water into your spray bottle.

2. Add witch hazel or vodka.

3. Drop in your essential oils adjust amounts based on how many varieties you use, keeping total essential oil content under 15%.

4. If using jojoba oil, add it now.

5. Leave a little space at the top so you can shake before each use (essential oils naturally separate from water).

6. Shake well and spray on skin or clothing as needed.
   

Tips for Best Use

• Always shake before spraying to blend the oils.

• Test a small patch of skin before full use to check for sensitivities.

• Store in a cool, dark place to keep your oils fresh longer.

• Reapply every couple of hours for best results.
  

Why I’ll Never Go Back to Store-Bought

With this spray, I don’t have to choose between being bug-free and avoiding harsh chemicals. It works, it’s gentle, and it smells like a summer herb garden instead of a lab. Plus, the kids tolerate it without fuss which any parent knows is a big win.

Now, a little bottle of herbal magic lives in my purse, ready for the next outdoor adventure.