Pure Aromatherapy for Body, Mind & Spirit
Essential Oils That Repel Insects
Essential Oils That Repel Insects
The weather is finally starting to warm up and with the warmer weather we all know here come the bugs. Spiders in the garage, ants in the kitchen, mosquitoes biting us. Bugs, bugs, bugs! What essential oils that repel insects should we use?
DEET is a commonly used insect repellent, but some individuals prefer to avoid synthetic ingredients and instead explore plant-based alternatives. Essential oils that repel insects have a long history of traditional use and are often chosen for their aromatic qualities and naturally derived profiles.*
Aromatic Qualities of Essential Oils That Repel Insects
These essential oils are commonly included in natural insect-repellent blends for their strong aromatic profiles, which many insects tend to avoid.*
- Cedarwood – Warm, woody aroma traditionally used in natural home and outdoor blends.*
- Cinnamon Bark – Spicy, strong scent often used in seasonal and household applications.*
- Citronella – Bright, lemony aroma commonly associated with outdoor insect-repellent blends.*
- Eucalyptus – Clean, fresh scent frequently used in outdoor and seasonal formulas.*
- Lavender – Soft, floral aroma valued for creating a calming, balanced aromatic environment.*
- Lemongrass – Sharp, citrus aroma commonly used in natural outdoor sprays.*
- Peppermint – Crisp, cooling scent often used in household and outdoor blends.*
- Sweet Orange (and other citrus oils) – Fresh, uplifting citrus aromas traditionally used in natural cleaning and outdoor blends.*
- Spearmint – Light, minty aroma often used in gentle household formulations.*
- Tea Tree – Clean, herbaceous scent commonly included in natural home-care blends.*
Additional essential oils that can be used for your repelling insects recipes: basil, clove bud, geranium, ylang ylang, palmarosa, thyme.
Most Effective Essential Oils that Repel Insects: Mosquitoes, Flies, Ticks & Noseeums
- Mosquitoes: lavender, geranium, lemongrass, eucalyptus, citronella, and others
- Flies & Gnats: lavender, patchouli, rosemary, peppermint, spearmint, and others
- Ticks: lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, thyme, and others
- Noseeums (biting midges): lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus (especially lemon eucalyptus), lavender, geranium, peppermint, cedarwood, tea tree, and others.
Note: Ylang Ylang and palmarosa are two oils sometimes used to create natural bug sprays. Plus ylang ylang has been used as a mosquito repellent successfully in some studies. In some studies, lemongrass essential oil has been noted for its strong, citrusy aroma and its ability to create an environment that insects tend to avoid, making it a popular choice in natural insect-repellent blends.*
Be sure to label your essential-oil insect spray creations so you can easily identify which blend is intended for specific insects and age groups.
Favorite Essential Oil Bug Spray Blends
There are many combinations of essential oils that repel insects, and you may have seen a recipe online or heard about one a friend tried and loved. With so many options available, it’s easy to create a custom spray that works for your home and outdoor needs.
We recommend using the following amounts of essential oils in the insect spray base below for adults and children over 10 years of age.*
Favorite Essential Oil Bug Spray Blends
1. Fresh Floral Outdoor Blend
- 10 drops geranium
- 15 drops lavender
- 5 drops patchouli
- 10 drops lemongrass
- 10 drops citronella
2. Bright Citrus Defense Blend
- 15 drops lemongrass
- 15 drops eucalyptus
- 20 drops citronella
3. Cooling Garden Blend
- 20 drops lavender
- 20 drops lemongrass
- 10 drops peppermint
4. Woodsy Mint Barrier Blend
- 20 drops rosemary
- 20 drops cedarwood
- 10 drops peppermint
5. Herbal Mint Field Blend
- 15 drops lavender
- 10 drops basil
- 10 drops rosemary
- 15 drops spearmint
6. Clean Air Outdoor Blend
- 15 drops eucalyptus
- 20 drops lavender
- 15 drops lemongrass
Kid-Safe Essential Oil Bug Spray Blends
(For children over 10 years of age, when properly diluted)
1. Soft Lavender Outdoor Blend
- 10 drops lavender
- 10 drops citronella
2. Gentle Woodland Blend
- 8 drops lavender
- 5 drops geranium
- 7 drops cedarwood
3. Light Citrus Breeze Blend
- 10 drops eucalyptus citriodora
- 10 drops lavender
4. Calm Mint Meadow Blend
- 5 drops lavender
- 5 drops geranium
- 2 drops patchouli
- 8 drops spearmint
5. Garden Fresh Balance Blend
- 5 drops geranium
- 5 drops citronella
- 2 drops patchouli
- 3 drops eucalyptus citriodora
- 3 drops lavender
- 3 drops spearmint
6. Mild Citrus Comfort Blend
- 10 drops citronella
- 5 drops eucalyptus citriodora
- 3 drops patchouli
- 3 drops lavender
DIY Insect Spray Bases
DIY Essential Oil Insect Spray Base (Adult Use)
- 4 oz clean spray bottle
- 2 oz distilled water
- 1 oz witch hazel or vodka
- Essential oils as directed
Adult Insect Spray Base Instructions
Adult Use: Fill a clean 4 oz spray bottle halfway with about 2 ounces of distilled water and 1 ounce of witch hazel or vodka. Add the essential oils as directed. Fill the bottle just shy of the top with additional distilled water, leaving room to shake before each use. Oils and water will naturally separate while sitting, so shake well before use.*
DIY Essential Oil Insect Spray Base (Kid-Safe Option)
- 4 oz clean spray bottle
- 3 oz distilled water
- 1 oz alcohol-free witch hazel
- Essential oils as directed
Kid-Safe Insect Spray Base Instructions
Kid-Safe Use: Fill a clean 4 oz spray bottle halfway with about 3 ounces of distilled water and 1 ounce of alcohol-free witch hazel. Add the essential oils as directed. Fill the bottle just shy of the top with additional distilled water, leaving room to shake before each use. Oils and water will naturally separate while sitting, so shake well before use.*
Note: Avoid vodka or alcohol-based witch hazel for children.
Using Essential Oils for Common Household Bug Issues
Natural Spider Deterrent
Peppermint essential oil is commonly used in household sprays for its strong, minty aroma, which many people find helpful for discouraging spiders from lingering in certain areas.*
How to use: Mix 15 drops of peppermint essential oil with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray around doorways, windows, garage areas, and other entry points as needed.*
Helping Deter Ants
Cinnamon bark essential oil and powdered cinnamon are often used in natural home-care routines due to their strong, spicy aroma, which may disrupt scent trails ants rely on.*
How to use: Apply diluted cinnamon bark essential oil or sprinkle powdered cinnamon along ant pathways, entry points, or affected areas.*
Flies in the House
Certain essential oils with fresh, herbal, or citrus aromas are commonly used in household sprays to create an environment flies tend to avoid.*
Spray Blend:
- 8 oz water
- 10 drops peppermint
- 10 drops lavender
- 10 drops sweet orange
- 10 drops patchouli
Shake well before use and spray around doors, windows, and common entry areas.*
Optional diffuser blend:
- 2 drops peppermint
- 2 drops lavender
- 1 drop sweet orange
- 1 drop patchouli
Keeping Pantry Areas Fresh
Essential oils such as citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree are often used in natural cleaning routines for their strong, fresh aromas.*
How to use: Add a few drops of one essential oil to vinegar and wipe pantry shelves, storage areas, or cabinet surfaces as part of regular cleaning.*
Bed Bugs
For information on using essential oils as part of a broader household approach to bed bug issues, see our blog article Pesky Bed Bugs, which explores aromatic options and general home-care strategies.*
Remedies for When You Already Have a Bite
Sometimes, even with preventative measures, you may still experience an itchy or irritated insect bite.
When this happens, many people choose to apply properly diluted lavender or tea tree essential oil to the affected area as part of their personal skin-care routine. A cooled chamomile tea bag or a cold compress may also be used to help soothe the skin.*
You may also wish to explore our DIY Soothing Bug Bite Roll-On, which is designed to provide gentle, aromatic skin comfort.
For general information about insects and outdoor exposure, you can visit the CDC’s insect bite prevention resources.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
Written by BioSource Naturals Editorial Team
Reviewed by Lezlie Cebulski, Traditional Naturopath, Aromatherapist, Formulator & Founder
About the Reviewer
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