There’s nothing like summer evenings filled with warm breezes, dinner on the patio, and long walks at sunset. But nothing sends you back inside faster than a surprise ambush from uninvited buzzing guests.
If you’re looking for a clean, natural way to keep bugs at bay, we’ve got you covered. This simple DIY mosquito spray is made from plant-based ingredients you can feel good about using. It smells fresh, works well, and skips the chemicals commonly found in store-bought repellents.
What You’ll Need
This recipe makes 4 oz of bug spray, just the right size to toss in your bag or keep by the door.
- 2 oz witch hazel or rubbing alcohol
- 2 oz distilled water (boiled and cooled water works too)
- 15 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
- 10 drops citronella essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
These essential oils aren’t just for scent; they’re well known for their ability to deter insects while supporting skin health.
| Essential Oil | Repels | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon Eucalyptus | Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies | CDC-recommended for mosquitoes |
| Citronella | Mosquitoes, flies, gnats, ticks | EPA-registered biopesticide |
| Lavender | Mosquitoes, moths, flies, fleas | Soothing scent, calming to skin |
| Peppermint | Mosquitoes, flies, spiders, ants | Also deters rodents; cooling sensation |
Together, this blend offers reliable protection without the synthetic chemicals that many are sensitive to.
How to Make It
- Pour the witch hazel and water into a clean 4-oz glass spray bottle (amber or cobalt-colored is best). Essential oils can degrade plastic over time and leach harmful chemicals into your spray.
- Add your essential oils.
- Close the lid and shake well.
- Spray lightly on exposed skin or clothing before heading outside.
- Reapply every 2–3 hours, especially if you’re sweating or spending time near water.
A Few Helpful Tips
- Shake the bottle before each use, as the oils naturally separate.
- Store in a cool, dark place out of the reach of children to preserve freshness.
- Do a quick patch test first, especially if you have sensitive skin.
- For young kids, spray on clothing instead of directly on the skin.
Want to take it a step further? Try planting mosquito-repelling herbs, such as basil, rosemary, or lemongrass, around your patio or front porch. Every little bit helps.
A Few Notes on Safety
- Always patch-test before applying spray widely; natural doesn’t automatically mean gentle.
- Don’t use lemon eucalyptus on kids under 3 or if pregnant/nursing; it’s not yet proven safe for them.
- If you have pets, especially dogs or cats, steer clear of concentrated oils like citronella, peppermint, tea tree, or eucalyptus; they can irritate or even poison animals.
- Oils may stain your clothes.
Nature really does give us what we need. With just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes, you can make your own summertime staple, one that smells good, feels good, and helps you stay in the moment without swatting every few seconds.
Enjoy the evenings. Skip the bites!
If you’d like to make your own natural bug spray but aren’t sure where to find clean, therapeutic-grade essential oils, we’ve made it easy for you. We’ve curated a FullScript recommendation list with the exact oils used in our DIY recipe—safe, effective, and trusted by wellness professionals.
Click HERE to request your list. All Ciccone Wellness clients and patients receive 10% off every order through our FullScript store.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Efficacy of Lemon Eucalyptus Oil as a Mosquito Repellent: https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/repellents.html
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Citronella Oil Biopesticide Registration: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/citronella
National Pesticide Information Center, Essential Oils as Insect Repellents: http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/eoingredients.html
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, Repellent Effectiveness of Plant-Based Essential Oils: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17294952/