For those struggling to find a natural bug repellent, here is my DIY Natural Bug Spray recipe that is effective and easy to make. Bugs, especially mosquitos simply freaking love me! I have no idea why! But it's really annoying.
What's the Deal with DEET & Why Should You Make Your Own Diy All-natural Bug Spray?
Bug sprays are traditionally made from DEET, yeah sure it works like a charm to zap those pesky bugs but there have also been studies that have suggested that DEET is a neurotoxin that may be harmful to humans.In 2009, the journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found a link between DEET and hypospadias (the penis opening is in the wrong place), yeah I know! Much more research is needed to confirm these types of findings though.
Health Canada, the World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. recommend DEET-based repellants as safe for humans. But they strongly urge consumers to follow manufacturers' directions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. says DEET products are intended only for "spare and infrequent use".
Back in 2004, Health Canada phased out insect repellents with high concentrations of DEET, noting that "even though DEET is a safe product, it will only allow bug repellents with less than 30 percent concentration of DEET. Combination sunscreen/bug lotions won't be allowed at all.
Ultimately you need to do what's right for you and your family. I would never use DEET in my backyard, but if I were trekking through a jungle where malaria was an issue, I'd be okay with short-term use.
Related Articles
PinPinHow To Make A DIY Mosquito Repellent PlanterUpdated: May 30, 2023
PinPinHow to increase biodiversity at home! With your own backyard ecosystem.Updated: Jul 22, 2022
Natural alternatives to DEET
Citronella
Citronella is a naturally occurring oil that repels insects. It is distilled from two types of grass, according to the National Pesticide Information Center. it is currently approved as safe for humans and the environment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Back in 2014, Health Canada wanted to ban it but after public outcry, the agency decided to review its plan to ban the product. As of right now, they advise that it should not be used on infants and toddlers. It is considered to be a safe mosquito repellent. I've used citronella candles, I don't like the smell at all I find you have to sit pretty close to the candle for it to be effective.
Neem/Catnip oil
Neem oil has been used in India for decades and in fact, the Malaria Research Canter in Dehli India found it performed well during trials and in 2006 a study published by the American Chemical Society concluded that catnip oil is a potent mosquito repellent, and is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.
Soybean Oil
Works really well and according to Health Canada, there are no regulations on it.It's a safe alternative for you and your family. They also note that a 2% oil will repel mosquitos for about 3.5 hours and will guard against black flies for about 8 hours.
Bug Zappers
Don't waste your money. They track and kill all kinds of bugs most of which are not mosquitoes. Bees and other bugs are essential to the health of the planet and even the health of your own garden.
DIY Mosquito repellent Planter
This is a simple and fun way to use plants to deter mosquitoes. This planter was designed by my husband Bodhi and has been a HUGE hit here on The Eco Hub.
Place all the ingredients into a spray bottle. Shake well and spray or rub onto the skin.
Have you ever tried to make your own?
For those struggling to find a natural bug repellent, here is my DIY Natural Bug Spray recipe that is effective and easy to make. Bugs, especially mosquitos simply freaking love me! I have no idea why! But it's really annoying.
The DIY recipes on this website are based on my own experiences. I am not a trained chemist, cleaning specialist, or skincare expert. The DIY recipes shared on this website haven’t been tested in a lab. Information about my products or recipes hasn’t been evaluated by Health Canada. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a doctor or specialist and use your discretion, based on your own research, when making homemade products.
One of the easiest homemade bug sprays, simply mix one cup of white vinegar, at Walmart, with three cups of water. You can also add half a teaspoon of dishwashing soap to help the solution adhere. Shake thoroughly and apply to the affected areas.
Vanilla extract is not only a great thing to cook with, but it also makes a great insect repellent–and it smells delicious! Mix it with water and apply it to your skin to repel pests. Add other extracts for even sweeter-smelling results, lavender and mint are great options.
Vinegar is one of the best ingredients to make a pest control spray. Vinegar is one of the best ingredients to make a pest control spray. It is effective in repelling ants, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and many others. Creating a mix is quite simple and is considered safe for humans and pets.
A pesticide is any mixture used to kill, destroy, repel, or mitigate a pest. Pesticide mixtures of household ingredients like dish soap, garlic, and vinegar (Figure 1) may seem harmless and safer than storebought formulated pesticides, but they can actually pose unrealized risks.
Specifically, aphids and fruit flies love the scent of vinegar and will seek it out. You can use this to your advantage by creating traps. Mixing a quart of water, 12 ounces of vinegar, and a tablespoon of dish soap, you can create a mixture that will rid your garden of annoying, buzzing pests.
A garlic and onion spray, for example, is one of the most versatile pesticides for use both indoors and out, on edibles and ornamentals. Chop four cloves of garlic and a large onion, put into a kitchen blender and add two teaspoons of red pepper (cayenne or chili) or two finely chopped fresh hot peppers.
Recipe: Use 2 tablespoons of grated soap per 1 1/2 liters of water. Apply directly with watering can or homemade broom. Gardeners use these sprays effectively to control pests.
Blend 15 drops citronella essential oil, 10 drops lemongrass essential oil, and 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil with 1/4 cup witch hazel to make a powerful insect repellant. Pour the liquid into an empty spray bottle and shake properly. For further potency, add 1 tablespoon of neem oil.
Bugs hate the smells associated with repellency, such as lavender, citronella, vinegar, peppermint, and geranium. These oils are considered a natural way of driving away bugs from your home without harming you, your family, and other animals.
You can either dab it on yourself like this, or if you have a spray bottle, you're gonna open it up, you're gonna pour some vanilla extract into here, you're gonna add some water into here. So I'd say 3 to 4 parts water, one part vanilla. You shake it up. and you just spray on yourself.
The spice contains eugenol, an aromatic compound commonly found in traditional insect repellants. Bugs also don't like cinnamon's powdery texture, and cinnamon has chemicals that have been shown to kill mosquito eggs and repel adult mosquitos, making it a triple-whammy to keep bugs out of the sandbox.
The list of products we recommend changes slightly from year to year, but insect repellents whose active ingredient is deet, at concentrations of 25 to 30 percent, reliably earn our recommendation, as do many (but not all) 15 percent deet sprays.
2.5 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing soap (preferably Dawn or Lemon Joy) and not automatic dishwasher soap Mix with 2.5 tablespoons of vegetable oil per gallon of warm water. Make only what is needed for one day's treatment. An insecticidal soap like this is generally not harmful to plants, animals or humans. Mr.
Both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar are a good base for an insect repellent, as they deter flies and, combined with specific essential oils, will deter mosquitoes and ticks as well. Oils that have excellent repellent properties include geranium, lemongrass, citronella, rosemary and lavender.
Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.