Making Your Own Natural Insect Repellent
Herbalist Debra Claire suggests combining the following essential oils to make a natural insect repellent that works:
1/2 ounce citronella oil
1/4 ounce lavender oil
1/8 ounce pennyroyal oil
1/8 ounce tea tree oil
1/8 ounce jojoba oil
Do not use this blend undiluted on your own skin for safety. Follow these instructions for diluting:
To make an insect repellent oil that can be used on your body, add 16 ounces of jojoba or almond oil to the base oil mixture listed above and blend thoroughly. For an insect repellent spray, add 16 ounces of vodka to the base oil mixture, pour into a spray bottle, and shake very well before using.
Bug Repellent Essential Oils
Caution: Pregnant women should consult with their herbalist before using.
Ticks First Choice: Rose Geranium
Other: Palmerosa, bay, eucalyptus, European pennyroyal
lavender, tickweed (American pennyroyal)
Blackflies: Sassafras, lavender, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, cedar, lemon balm (citronella), peppermint
Mosquitoes: Pennyroyal, lemon balm (citronella), thyme, lavender
Head Lice: Tea tree, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus
Animal Fleas: Orange oil
Specific Oils for Specific Insects
ANTS Peppermint, Spearmint
CATERPILLARS Spearmint, Peppermint
APHIDS Cedarwood ,Hyssop, Peppermint, Spearmint
BEETLES Peppermint, Thyme
CHIGGERS Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
CUTWORM Thyme, Sage
FLIES Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage
FLEAS Peppermint, Lemongrass, Spearmint, Lavender
GNATS Patchouli ,Spearmint
LICE Cedarwood, Peppermint, Spearmint
MOSQUITOES Lavender, Lemongrass
MOTHS Cedarwood,Hyssop, Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint
PLANT LICE Peppermint, Spearmint
SNAILS Cedarwood, Pine, Patchouli
SLUGS Cedarwood ,Hyssop ,Pine
SPIDERS Peppermint,Spearmint
TICKS Lavender,Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
WEEVILS Cedarwood, Patchouli ,Sandalwood
INSECT REPELLING PLANTS
Why poison the planet with chemicals when nature works itself?
ANT REPELLENTS: Tansy
FLEA REPELLENTS: Brewers Yeast, Garlic, Fennel, Pennyroyal, Pyrethrum Daisy, Garlic. Garlic combined with brewers yeast protects your pets against fleas.
FLY REPELLENTS: Basil, Bay Leaf, Cloves, Tansy
PLANTS THAT PROTECT PEOPLE: Basil, Bay Leaf, Citronella Oil, Clove, Garlic, Neem Leaf, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Rue, Thyme, Tea Tree, Witch Hazel
MICE REPELLENTS: Mints
MOTH REPELLENTS: Basil, Bay Leaf, Cedar, Cloves, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Mints (Not Peppermint) Patchouli, Pennyroyal, Black Pepper, Pyrethrum Daisy, Rosemary, Rue, Tansy, Southernwood, Thyme, Wormwood.
WEEVILS: Bay leaf – Place whole leaf in grain and flour packages.
Natural Mosquito Repellent Ingredients
If you are making large amounts of mosquito repellent, a good rule of thumb is to mix the repellent so it's 5-10% essential oil, so mix 1 part essential oil with 10-20 parts carrier oil or alcohol. For a smaller batch use:
10-25 drops (total) of essential oils
2 tablespoons of a carrier oil or alcohol
The essential oils that work well against mosquitoes are:
cinnamon oil
lemon eucalyptus oil
citronella oil
Safe carrier oils and alcohols include:
olive oil
witch hazel
vodka
sunflower oil
any other cooking oil