For the past two years I had the pleasure of making natural bug sprays with the 2nd grade class at MHLT. It brings me so much joy to hear their excitement and wonder learning how plants in our own backyards can help deter ticks and mosquitoes.
While not an exhaustive list, here are some of the most common ingredients you'll find on the back of natural bug sprays:
• Catnip
• Lemongrass
• Citronella
• Geranium
• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Patchouli
• Clove
• Cinnamon
• Yarrow
• Sage
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Peppermint
• Cedarwood
• Neem
• Turmeric
What did I miss???
In the bug spray & tick stick that I make every summer, I use catnip as the star repellent by extracting as an alcohol tincture or infused oil. There is a compound in catnip that interfere's with the mosquitoes ability to locate a host (aka you). It's scent is a little earthy, minty, slightly musky. If you grow it in your garden, snip the leaves and stems and try making a tincture as your base... Scroll down to read the recipe at the end.
The other herb I usually use in the base is yarrow. Its bitter and pungent aromatic compounds help deter bugs. I also really love its affinity with blood and antibacterial properties, so if you do get bit, it's going to help your skin create an environment that is less hospitable to certain microbes. This year I ran low on yarrow, so I had the students substitute oregano as extra protection against ticks, which also has antibacterial properties and strong aromatic volatile compounds that mess with the sensory systems of mosquitoes.
Lastly, I like to use a handful of essential oils I listed earlier. The ones I have found to work best are geranium, lemongrass, citronella, lavender, patchouli, and cedarwood.
Essential oils work because the volatile nature of these oils interferes with the mosquitoes ability to sniff out and locate our skin. Mosquitoes locate us as hosts by detecting carbon dioxide, body heat, sweat compounds, and our microbiomes (skin and gut biochemistry).
Strong aromatic oils can mask this, overwhelm a mosquitoes sensory systems, and confuse their receptors. Everyone's biochemistry is different, and one thing to always keep in mind when working with plants- what works for one person may have a slightly different impact for someone else.
You might need to experiment a bit to find the right combo of bug repelling plants for your body. A good idea is to layer bug repelling products, for example: bug soap to wash,
whipped tallow as a moisturizer and skin barrier (ticks and mosquitoes don’t like it),
bug spray all over,
tick stick body balm on your hairline, ankles, and wrists.
If you'd like to try making your own bug spray at home, here is the exact recipe I made with the 2nd graders, try this one at home and see how it works for you:
(this is a picture of the catnip and yarrow tinctures after I strain them)
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DIY Natural Bug Spray for Mosquitoes:
What you need:
Pint Jar and Lid
.5oz Fresh or Dried Catnip Leaves and Stems
.5oz Fresh or Dried Oregano Leaves and Stems
12oz Vodka
10 drops essential oil blend (choose from list above)
Distilled water
- Make a catnip & oregano extract: add .5 oz dried or fresh catnip and .5 oz of dried or fresh oregano leaves in a pint jar, fill with vodka and let it infuse for 4 weeks.
- Strain extract and pour .25 oz in a 2 ounce spray bottle.
-Add 10 drops of essential oil blend from the list above (geranium, lemongrass, citronella, lavender, patchouli, and cedarwood)
- Top off the rest of the bottle with distilled water.
Shake well and apply before going outdoors!
Enjoy :)
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This is shared for educational purposes to support your understanding of herbs and wellness. It is not medical advice; it is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure. If you have specific health concerns, are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications, it’s always wise to check with a trusted healthcare provider.
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