Description
Love being outdoors but hate getting bit by bugs? Here’s a non-toxic, natural homemade alternative to those harmful store-bought bug repellents. The bonus is this DIY version works as well as those containing DEET!
Ingredients
- 15 drops lemon eucalyptus oil
- 10 drops Nature Shield blend (or Kid Safe “Shield Me” blend if using on kids under 10 years)
- 1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
- 2 ounces organic witch hazel
- 2 ounces organic neem oil (or fractionated coconut oil)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a small spray bottle.
- Shake bottle well before each application (and a few extra shakes between applications if spraying more than one person).
- Apply to exposed skin as well as clothes, shoes, hats and backpacks. Be careful to avoid contact with eyes.
Notes
- When packing this bug spray for a hike, toss it in your bag in a sealed zip-top bag to avoid leaks/spills.
- If you won’t be hiking with this spray, these glass spray bottles are recommended.
- I always prefer glass when using essential oils, but because our kiddos pack their own bug spray in their hiking backpacks, we use these plastic spray bottles to avoid broken glass.
- When spraying the face, we recommend spraying a little onto your hands and rubbing it onto your face to avoid accidental spraying in the eyes.
- Our family chooses to use Plant Therapy for their high quality, pure, therapeutic grade essential oils offered at affordable prices. For $10 off your first order, click through any of our Plant Therapy links and sign up for their newsletter. They’ll gift you $10 off of your first purchase. Plus shipping is always free, no matter how small or large your purchase.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: N/A
- Calories: N/A
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: N/A
- Cholesterol: N/A
Hello! Just wondering if the Vanilla Olesoresin EO would work, does it contain vanillin?
Hi Meg! Great question! You could certainly give it a try! The CO2 Vanilla EO is a much thicker product than the solvent extracted Oleoresin, but I’m not certain of the amount of vanillin by comparison. Because we get away with using organic vanilla extract, I’d say it’s worth a shot using the EO, but do know that it wouldn’t be safe to use on children under 6! The CO2 Vanilla is safe for kiddos though! And so is organic vanilla extract! Best of luck and I hope those skeeters leave you alone this summer! 🙂
Would this blend be safe to use on my 5 week old infant?
Hi Chelsie! Great question. Essential oil use on infants and small kiddos is quite a personal choice. It’d be my recommendation not to spray this on your kiddos, but rather spray the person holding them, or just make sure they’re covered in loose fitting clothing to keep the skeeters from landing on their skin. Hope this helps!
What is the difference between the Nature Shield and Plant Therapy’s kids line (Insect Shield or something it’s called)?
Great question Kelli! Plant Therapy takes all the guess work out of wondering if essential oils are safe to use on kiddos (focusing on ages 2-10), so the Kid Safe “Shield Me” blend has Citronella, Grapefruit, Geranium Bourbon, Rosalina and Patchouli, while the “Nature Shield” has Citronella, Geranium Egyptian, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus Globulus, Cedarwood Virginian, Lavender, Tea Tree, Catnip, and Patchouli. Some of the oils listed in the Nature Shield aren’t considered safe for use on children. So, if you’re spraying it on kiddos, go for the Shield Me blend!
Would pure vanilla extract (Kirkland brand) work? It’s not organic but not imitation either.
Yep! That should work great Tracey! You can always increase the vanilla extract to 1 Tbs if you want to be sure you’re getting enough vanillin! 🙂
Very informative! Never occurred to me to add vanilla! Really love all the great info in this post, I shared!
Thanks Dawn! The vanilla is a great trick! We appreciate the share!
When I clicked on the Nature Shield it connected me to the wood dryer post?!
Good catch! Thanks Tracey, it should be updated! Let me know if you have any other questions! 🙂
Woah, I had no idea about the vanilla! Thanks for that tip. I might make some of this next spring for mosquito season in TX but with my own blend. Thanks!
Awesome Shannon! Yeah, the vanilla is a total shocker, right? Hope this helps!
Thanks for sharing. I make one that is VERY effective and uses catnip oil!
Yes! Catnip is another great oil to repel mosquitoes, just added that to the list of oils…thanks Carol!
I need to make some of this. The mosquitoes are getting really awful down here. Is there anything I can use in place of witch hazel, though?
Great question Raia! Although I’ve only used witch hazel, alcohol should be a good alternative. I’m not sure if hydrogen peroxide would work, as I’m not sure if it would interfere with the essential oils or not? Here’s to no biting bugs this summer!
Thank you! 🙂