Natural Insect Repellent and Essential Oils

Who doesn’t love summer! BBQ’s, swimming and camping are just a few favorite summer activities. However, along with the warm weather and fun, the biting bugs are back. Most people tend to reach for products containing toxic chemicals, but there are safer ways to enjoy the outdoors and summer fun without all the itchy bites or chemicals.

For natural insect repellants, Citronella is probably the most well-known. Numerous recent studies have shown there are other essential oils effective at repelling mosquitoes and other bugs:

Cedarwood

Rosemary

Geranium

Sweet Basil

Citronella

Lemongrass

Thyme

Cinnamon

Clove

Peppermint

Eucalyptus

Lavender

Of the essential oils tested so far, some of those proven to be most effective are: citronella, eucalyptus, lemongrass, cinnamon, clove, and basil. The Naturally Clean Home: 150 Super-Easy Herbal Formulas for Green Cleaning recommends eucalyptus, citronella, rosemary, cedarwood, peppermint (for mice,too), and lavender (especially for moths). Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt in Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy specifically praises lavender as being "highly effective for relieving itching insect bites".

Feel free to experiment with combinations to find what you like best. Although most of these essential oils are generally safe, always consult a specialist, especially with questions regarding use around children and pets.