Make Your Own Bug Spray with Essential Oils

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Do your plans for the weekend involve fun outside?  If so, make sure you mix up a blend of bug spray (rather than reaching for the store bought and chemically laden variety) to protect you from nasty bites!

When it comes to making your own bug spray, the stronger the solution, the better.  The basic formula is 12-25 drops of essential oil per one ounce of carrier oil.  Adding 12 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil would be a 5% dilution whereas 25 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil would be a stronger 10% dilution. 

Carriers to add to your essential oils include: 
Distilled water, Young Living V-6 carrier oil, coconut oil, olive oil, witch hazel, or aloe vera gel.

 

One of the easiest recipes to make is simply add 10 drops of Peppermint and 10 drops Purification to a 4 oz. bottle of distilled water and shake well before using. 

The following recipes are from Essential Oils Pocket Reference

6 drops peppermint
6 drops melaleuca (M. alternifolia)
9 drops Idaho tansy

OR 

6 drops Idaho tansy
6 drops palo santo

Mix either blend together and use undiluted or diluted with a little water.
 
 
The following recipes are from Young Living Oil Lady

1.  All Natural Bug Spray Recipe

10 drops citronella essential oil oil

5 drops lavender essential oil

5 drops lemongrass essential oil

5 drops eucalyptus globulus essential oil

1 oz. of witch hazel extract
Put essential oils in an empty spray bottle. Add witch hazel or other carrier oil. Shake well and spray on as needed.

2. All Natural Bug Spray Recipe
 

10 drops purification essential oil

5 drops lemongrass essential oil

5 drops peppermint essential oil

5 drops melaleuca alternifolia essential oil

1 oz. V-6 carrier oil

Put essential oils in an empty spray bottle. Add the carrier oil. Shake well and spray on as needed.

3.  All Natural  Bug Spray Recipe

 5 drops thieves essential oil

5 drops  lemon essential oil

5  drops purification essential oil

5 drops peppermint essential oil

5 drops lavender essential oil

1 oz. Distilled water

Put essential oils in an empty spray bottle. Add the distilled water or other carrier oil. Shake well and spray on as needed.