Homemade Mosquito Repellent - A Homemade Bug Spray That Works

I'm always on the hunt for natural products that work just as good as their chemical-laden counterparts. I wanted to replace our store-bought bug spray for a more natural, homemade mosquito repellent and I finally figured out what works. This homemade bug spray is saving our summer and I've partnered with NOW to share it with you.

Living in Florida is like living in high-definition. Everything is so green and lush; it's sort of like being on a permanent tropical vacation. However, there is one thing I seriously dislike about living in Florida; the mosquitoes! I'm one of those people that get eaten up by bugs during the summer months. My husband and I can sit next to each other outside and he'll be bite-free while I'm covered in dozens of mosquito bites. So, what's a Florida girl to do? Wear an aggressive coating of bug spray has always been my defense, but the more I read about all of the chemicals included in store-bought sprays, the more hesitant I get to even go outside. I don't want mosquito or bug-borne illnesses, but I also don't want to use harsh chemicals if I don't absolutely have to. That's where this homemade mosquito repellent comes in.

Ever since I visited the NOW headquarters I've been using more and more of their products. I love finding new ways to use their vast selection of supplements, beauty items, food products, and essential oils. Every single oil I've used has been fantastic. As a leader in the essential oils industry, NOW offers the highest-quality oils at prices that just cannot be beaten because they've spent year building relationships with their suppliers to get the best prices. They also have their own in-house labs for testing so you can be sure that every item you purchase is pure, fresh, and safe for it's intended usage. I've made quite a few batches of homemade all-purpose cleaning solution and I'm excited to share my latest NOW® essential oils creation - a homemade bug spray.

Why use a Home-made bug spray?

Like most health-conscious people, I try to limit my exposure to harmful chemicals whenever possible. When I visited NOW last year, I learned that the average US woman uses 12 personal care products a day, containing an average of 168 different chemicals. That number is staggering and it's really made me think twice about each and every product I use. I decided to try making a homemade insect repellant to try to cut some of my chemical exposure this summer.

So, what's in this DIY bug spray? I used several different NOW® essential oils to make this spray, including Citronella Oil, Neem Oil, Lemon Eucalyptus Oil (which has done very well in testing with Consumer Reports) Pennyroyal Oil and Tea Tree Oil. This is an adaptation of an outdoor body spray recipe on the NOW website that I altered just a bit. For the base, I used Lavender Witch Hazel. I'd read in several places that Lavender is also an effective bug repellent, so I figured this would work great and would be good for my skin.

Homemade bug spray recipe

4 ounces Witch Hazel (I used Lavender)
4 ounces water
1 drop NOW® Citronella Oil
2 drops NOW® Neem Oil
10 drops NOW® Pennyroyal Oil
10 drops NOW® Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
10 drops NOW® Tea Tree Oil

Just mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and you're all set to go!

Notes: For adults only. Keep out of reach of children. Not for internal use. Eucalyptus and Pennyroyal oils may be harmful or fatal if swallowed. Avoid contact with eyes. Not recommended for pregnant/nursing women. Not intended for use with pets. Discontinue and consult your healthcare practitioner if a rash appears after skin contact.

Once I had my home-made bug spray mixed well, I poured a small amount into a 3-ounce spray bottle that I could throw in my purse and take on-the-go. I made a cute little label for it and was sure to include the ingredients in case anyone else might want to use it while we're out and about.

I love that I'm getting to spend more time outdoors with my kids in the evenings. Watching them play and swim in the backyard is my favorite part of summer!