This Homemade Bug Spray Recipe works, ya’ll!
During the summer months, bugs can come out in full force. Here in Arizona, we’re lucky that although we have the heat, we don’t have the humidity, which really helps reduce the bugs. We aren’t exempt from mosquitos, and those blasted buggers can really ruin an evening outside!
Regular buy sprays contain LOADS of chemicals, and even if you can stand the smell, you can bet your body won’t be able to handle the toxic load. I personally don’t worry about every little chemical that comes our way. I can’t, it would drive me crazy! Living in today’s modern world, it’s inevitable that we’re going to be exposed to higher amounts of toxins than our grandparents. It’s a sad fact, but nevertheless, a fact.
When it comes to homemade bug spray, it’s a no-brainer! Bug spray is SO easy to make homemade! I’m telling you, it’ll take you about 2 seconds to put it together for a summer of bug-free enjoyment! So take my advice and throw this together ASAP!
Homemade Bug Spray
Ingredients:
-
- One 8 ounce spray bottle – PETE 1 or 2 grade plastic is best for essential oils
- 1/2 c, boiled or distilled water
- 1/2 c. witch hazel
- 30Â drops of the Terrashield blend. This repellent blend has the essential oils of skimmia laureola,catnip plant, amyris bark, african sandalwood, cabrueva balsam, wild orange peel, white fir needle, cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus leaf/stem, hawaiian sandalwood, genet absolute and rose flower.
TERRASHIELD OILÂ Â ADD TO CART (free shipping)
Directions: Mix all ingredients and pour into the spray bottle. Spray & rub on the skin before going outside. When applying to the face, spray on hand and rub on face, avoiding the eyes.
You can tell from my homemade garden pest control and my homemade fly spray recipe that the Repellent blend is quickly becoming my favorite summer essential oil blend! This blend smells amazing! It’s like Hawaii in a bottle. It’s such a better smell than store bought, chemical bug sprays!
Other ways I use the TerraShield blend:
TERRASHIELD OILÂ Â ADD TO CART (free shipping)
- I mix it in a spray bottle with water, and I’ve got the perfect bug spray. Mosquitoes can’t stand the smell. Bye bye, ticks. I love it.
- I use it in homemade fly spray for my animals.
- I use that same spray bottle and spray around the doors of my home to keep out roaches, ants, & spiders. Although I don’t mind spiders, they eat other bugs. 🙂
- I use that same spray bottle and spray the shelves of my pantry to keep away weevils.
- I rub 2 drops of it on my dog’s collar to keep away fleas, ticks, and chiggers.
- BONUS: If your kid gets lice, or if it’s going around the school, you can use 5 drops in a regular shampoo to combat them little buggers.
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Hello!!
I’m new to essential oils.
I just bought Terrashield Outdoor blend so I can try your bug repellent recipe since mosquitos love me : (
Do you know if I can buy witch hazel in bigger size bottles? I already use if for my face but I’ve only seen the 8oz and under bottles.
It would be nice if I could get my hands on a larger bottle so I wouldn’t have to buy lots of small bottles of witch hazel.
Thanks!!!!!
Hi Esmeralda-
You can search on amazon as they may have gallon sizes.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
This recipe is so useful! I also use tea tree oil for bed bugs, applying it directly to the affected area or lavender, although this combination that you suggested might work even better. 🙂 thanks
Is it better to use alcohol free witch hazel for bug repellent spray for dogs?
Sure!
Hello! When I click the link to learn more about buying the Repellent blend, I can’t find that product. Can you point me in the right direction?! Thanks!
Thanks for letting me know, Jen! Here’s the correct link: https://store.weedemandreap.com/product/terrashield/
Can I use this on my goats?
Yes!
Can you omit the water? or is that needed because it’s for a dog?
besides the repellent blend, what other essential oils could work with dogs.
Thanks
Hi! I just signed up with your favorite brand of essential oils but I don’t have the Repellent blend yet and I won’t have it for a few weeks. I think my dog may have fleas, although I haven’t found any. He has just been scratching himself A LOT. Any advice? Thanks!
Hi Amanda!
Yes, you can use Lavender 🙂
I don’t see terrashield on sale this month. but i do see juniperberry on sale. where am i missing this? thanks for the recipe!
Christina, this article was from last year, June 2014.
What would you recommend for dog weight loss? TIA!
Hmmm, I’m not sure I could recommend something for that, I would take my dog to the vet for that because it could be something serious.
Is this safe for babies? (1 year old)
It’s safe for babies to be around, but I wouldn’t spray on them;)
You can use an organic lotion and put the terrashield into it. That will rub nicely on the little ones. It is safe to use on babies.
Hi, if you don’t have witch hazel, can you just use water, at least temtemporarily? Thanks
Absolutely!
Hello,
Is this safe on or around cats? Thanks
It’s safe around cats, but I wouldn’t spray it on my cat.
Can I use this bug spray on my dogs? During the summer the flies love to eat at their ears and it’s just awful. I don;t know what to do, I have tried many things
Absolutely, you can use it on dogs!
Am curious about the witch hazel. Think this would work just as well without it?
Any reason why it’s part of your recipe?
Thanks!
Yes, because it mixes well with essential oils. Water just won’t work the same:)
I need some thing to get rid of fleas
This works for that as well, though I probably wouldn’t dilute it as much. For fleas you want a powerful product:)
hey there! thanks for sharing the recipe. i’m new to essential oils the past few months and absolutely in LOVE with all the areas of my family’s lives that it is applicable to. But one thing i wanted to share that was immediately pressed into me when starting oils is to always ALWAYS use glass bottles/containers when working with the oils. They are so raw and pure and potent that they can over time, break down the plastic in the bottles and ultimately be pulling the toxic chemicals from the plastic into the solution, therefore, making it not as pure and whole as you’d like. i don’t say this be critical of your post, please know that. i just say that as a friendly fyi that i, too, am embracing. My water bottles are glass as are my salve containers, spray containers, etc. I get all my glass spray bottles from aroma tools.com…VERY affordable…and essential oil friendly! 🙂 thanks again for sharing your recipe and knowledge!! 🙂
Jaclyn, Thaks for the aromatools website referal! they have incredibly reasonable prices on glass bottles!!
Myoilgear.com has bundles of glass spray bottles for great deals!!