Name: Simple Herbal DIY Bug Spray
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp dried fennel; 1 tbsp dried spearmint; 1 tbsp dried lavender; 15 drops eucalyptus oil; 15 drops citronella oil; 2 cups water

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Ditch the toxic chemicals in conventional bug spray and make this simple herbal DIY bug spray! Repel bugs and protect your body all summer long!

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Hate mosquito season? Me too! But STOP spraying yourself and your children with harmful chemicals just to repel bugs! Use nature’s natural bug repellants to keep the bugs away and protect your body.

Make this simple herbal DIY bug spray in just a few minutes!

Why is conventional bug spray harmful?

Conventional bug sprays contain insecticides, fragrances, and other strong chemical ingredients meant to repel or kill bugs instantly.

While the affect of these bug sprays is nice (it keeps the bug bites at bay!), these chemicals aren’t just killing bugs. They are interrupting your own nervous system, endocrine system, and sending these chemicals deep into your body as it absorbs through the skin.

Would you spray bug spray into your mouth? NO! You might say “That’s poisonous!”

Then why are we spraying it on our skin? The skin is the largest organ in the body. It quickly absorbs anything that it put on it and sends it throughout the body. Topical sprays and creams are NOT harmless to the inside of your body.

Herbs that Repel Bugs

Eucalyptus – The strong scent of eucalyptus disorients insects from their target. The essential oil is the best use of eucalyptus to repel bugs.
Citronella – Citronella is a common scent in bug sprays. The lemon-y scent is hated by most bugs and often repels them, especially when combined with eucalyptus.
Fennel – The subtle fennel scent keeps harmful pests at bay.
Lavender – The lovely scent of lavender is an aroma that is hated by pesky insects.
Mint – The strong smell of mint is refreshing for humans but repelling for insects!

Repel vs. Kill

The key to this simple DIY bug spray is to REPEL the bugs from landing on your skin rather than kill them on contact. In order to kill bugs that land on the skin, harmful chemicals need to be used.

Instead, opt for these yummy, strong-smelling herbs that are refreshing and rejuvenating to humans, but repelling for insects.

Ingredients

Eucalyptus essential oil
Citronella essential oil
Dried fennel
Dried lavender
Dried spearmint (or peppermint)

Equipment

How to Make DIY Bug Spray

Step 1: Brew the herbs.

In an infusing teapot, combine lavender, spearmint, and fennel. Place the herbs in boiling water, turn off the heat, and allow the herbs to steep for 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Put tea in the bottle.

Put the brewed herbal blend into an amber glass spray bottle and allow it to cool completely.

Step 3: Add essential oils.

When the brew is completely cool, add in 15 drops of eucalyptus oil and 15 drops of citronella oil. Do not add the oils in while the brew it hot. The oils will evaporate.

Step 4: Label and spray.

Label the bottle and spray to keep the bugs away.

Storage Tips

Store the bug spray in an amber glass spray bottle in order to preserve the herbal benefits of the spray.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I brew the herbs if I don’t have a tea pot? Yes! Place the herbs and water into a pot, bring the water to a boil and then turn off the heat. Allow the herbs to steep for 10 minutes and then pour through strainer.

Can I use any brand of essential oil? Research the brand of oil you plan to buy. Cheap oils available at stores such as Walmart or Dollar Tree are not pure and should not be used.

Does this bug spray stain? While the spray does contain a “tea”, it does not stain when used on the light mist setting of the sprayer. Spray a few inches away and allow the mist to settle on you.

Repel bugs with the power of herbs in this simple herbal DIY bug spray! Protect your body from both the bugs and the harmful chemicals found in conventional bug spray.