Essential Oils that Repel Bugs: Mosquito & Other Insect Repellents

Warm weather brings sunshine, barbecues, and, unfortunately, plenty of bugs. Instead of spraying your family with harsh, chemical-laden repellents, you can turn to essential oil insect repellents for a safe and effective solution. These bug-repelling oils are proven to keep mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and other biting insects at bay.

Let’s explore how to make your own DIY bug spray and protect yourself from mosquito bites and other insects naturally. We give you a few variations to explore here.

The Problem with Conventional Bug Repellents

Many bug repellents contain DEET, malathion, and permethrin—pesticides that have been linked to numerous health concerns, including:

• Chest pain, dizziness, and skin rashes
• Neurological effects like memory loss and disorientation
• Neurotoxicity and potential links to Gulf War illness
• Decreased blood-brain barrier permeability and motor deficits

Even low-level exposure has been associated with long-term risks. These ingredients aren’t just harmful to humans—they’re also damaging to the environment and your pets.

To mask the chemical odor, many products add synthetic fragrances, but these are often hidden behind the term “fragrance” and may contain hundreds of unlisted chemicals, many of which are endocrine disruptors or carcinogens.

Why Essential Oil Repellents Are Safer

Essential oils are volatile organic compounds that naturally repel insects without harming your body, kids, pets, or your home environment. While they don’t last as long as synthetic sprays, they’re safer and still highly effective when used correctly.

Research shows that several oils offer topical repellent activity, but their protection times are generally shorter than synthetic options like DEET. A 2023 study tested 20 essential oils at 10% concentrations and found that clove, cinnamon, and geraniol offered the longest protection, exceeding one hour. Oils such as peppermint, geranium, lemongrass, citronella, spearmint, and garlic offered protection for over 30 minutes.

In contrast, DEET at 10% provided up to 6 hours of protection under the same conditions.

The most effective essential oils that repel bugs appear to work due to their rich terpene composition, which influences aroma and volatility. No skin irritation was reported in the study, and oils like peppermint and spearmint also provided a natural cooling sensation.

It’s important to note that while essential oils are beneficial, the CDC currently does not list most as recommended bug repellents due to shorter protection times. An exception is lemon eucalyptus oil, a plant-based repellent that is approved by the EPA and shown to offer longer-lasting protection.

To get the most out of your DIY essential oil bug repellent:

• Choose a blend that fits your body chemistry
• Use a good carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, or neem for improved skin absorption
• Reapply every 60 to 90 minutes, or more frequently if sweating or swimming

You can also create a diffuser blend for your patio area to help repel bugs in the environment, and not just through topical application.

Best Essential Oils That Repel Insects

The effectiveness of essential oils can vary depending on the species of insect, concentration, and formulation. Scientifically supported essential oils that repel bugs include:

Bergamot: Contains natural terpenes with insecticidal properties and has shown moderate effectiveness as a mosquito repellent. Studies report that bergamot oil provides about 60–90 minutes of protection and can enhance both repellent effects and scent in blends.

Catnip:  contains nepetalactone, a natural compound that new research has shown to repel mosquitoes up to 10 times more effectively than DEET. Studies report that low concentrations (around 2%) can provide 2 to 4 hours of protection against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Cedarwood: Contains sesquiterpenes that provide moderate repellency by masking human scents. Cedarwood essential oil is often used as a base note in oil blends.

Citronella: One of the most widely studied natural repellents, it provides roughly 90 to 120 minutes of protection by interfering with mosquito receptors.

Clove (very effective): Rich in eugenol, clove oil showed protection times ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 hours against Aedes mosquitoes and other biting insects.

Cypress: Contains alpha-pinene and limonene; exhibits moderate repellency but with shorter duration in laboratory assays.

Eucalyptus: Various species show differing efficacy; lemon eucalyptus is the most notable. Standard eucalyptus oils provide moderate protection, often enhanced by formulation.

Lavender: Contains linalool and linalyl acetate; lavender oil offers modest repellency with protection times often less than an hour, but is valued for scent and skin tolerance.

Lemon Eucalyptus (very effective): Contains p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), an EPA-registered mosquito repellent with efficacy comparable to low concentrations of DEET.

Lemon Myrtle: High in citral, it has demonstrated insect-repellent activity similar to lemongrass but with limited study data on protection time.

Lemongrass: Contains citral, which contributes to repellent activity; tends to provide 30 to 60 minutes of protection in studies.

Patchouli: Demonstrated prolonged protection (~120 to 150 minutes,) especially when combined with sage, effective against Anopheles species.

Peppermint: Exhibits strong repellency with about 3 hours of protection against multiple mosquito species, attributed to menthol and related compounds. Peppermint oil was especially effective against Anopheles dirus (180 minutes), and also protected against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.

Petitgrain: Provided up to 270 minutes of protection against Aedes aegypti and 360 minutes against Culex quinquefasciatus.

Tea Tree: Shows antimicrobial and insect-repellent effects, although often less effective than other oils, with protection times under 1 hour reported.

Thyme: Contains thymol, which has insecticidal and repellent properties demonstrated in various insect species, though protection duration is typically shorter.

Here are some combinations that were studied and shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites and natural pest protection from other biting insects.

• Basil and Coriander oils offered around 180 minutes of protection for Aedes aegypti and up to 360 minutes for Culex mosquitoes.
• A combination of Sage and Patchouli showed 270 minutes of protection against Anopheles dirus.
• Other effective oils include Anise, Bergamot, Rosemary, Vetiver, and Citronella (a benchmark natural repellent).
• Clove and Cinnamon oils were found to offer protection ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on concentration.

Research suggests using at least a 2% essential oil dilution with a good carrier oil (like coconut or neem) can offer similar protection to low-concentration DEET, with up to 1.5 hours for many oils, and longer for some listed above. Without the synthetic binding chemical compounds, you’ll want to reapply your essential oil bug repelling blends more often, but you won’t have toxic ingredients to contend with.

Here are a few example recipes we’ve tried with our family that you can use as a base and customize to fit your family’s needs and preferences.  As you can see, there are many possibilities depending on the biting insects in your region, what activities you’re participating in, and the time of year.

First up is our go-to recipe when headed to the pool, family walks, or sports, the typical times we get bitten by mosquitoes! Because of the carrier oil, this recipe is great for your body, but not outdoor spaces…unless you want to create a slip and slide! 

Easy Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent Spray

Author Mama Z

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Quantity

2x4x6x

Ingredients

• 1 ounce carrier oil (mixture of neem, fractionated coconut oil, and/or organic jojoba)*
• 15 drops essential oils**

Supplies

• 2-ounce glass spray bottle

Instructions

 

• Drop essential oils into a glass spray bottle.
• Add carrier oil and shake vigorously.
• Spray and rub onto exposed skin before going outside.
• Reapply every 60–90 minutes.

Notes

*No matter what allergies you may have, there’s a carrier oil that’s right for you.  You can use any or a combination of these:  Avocado, Fractionated Coconut, Grapeseed, Jojoba, Sweet Almond. These are our favorite carrier oils; to see a full list of options, click here.

**Try blends using oils such as:

• Cedarwood
• Citronella
• Clove
• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Lemon eucalyptus
• Patchouli
• Peppermint
• Thyme

Our favorite blend for mosquitoes is 5 drops each of citronella, eucalyptus/lemon eucalyptus, and peppermint essential oils.

Our Homemade Bug Repellent Spray is a comprehensive recipe that deals with all types of seasonal pests. It’s great to apply before a long hike in wooded areas. We even make body creams with the essential oil blend! It’s a great combination of essential oils that keep bugs away and help you smell great. Again, because of the carrier oil, this is not a good spray for outdoor spaces, as it makes them slippery. 

Deet-Free Bug Spray

Author Mama Z

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Quantity

2x4x6x

Ingredients

• 1 ounce organic jojoba OR fractionated coconut oil*
• 3 drops citronella essential oil
• 3 drops cypress essential oil
• 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 3 drops lemon myrtle essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil

Supplies

• 1-ounce glass spray bottle

Instructions

 

• Add essential oils and oil base to a glass spray bottle.
• Replace the top and shake to blend.
• Spray all over the body before going outside (avoid eyes).
• Reapply every couple of hours. Store in a cool, dark place.

Notes

*No matter what allergies you may have, there’s a carrier oil that’s right for you.  You can use any or a combination of these:  Avocado, Fractionated Coconut, Grapeseed, Jojoba, Sweet Almond. These are our favorite carrier oils; to see a full list of options, click here.

Some people use citronella tiki torches on their deck, but we do a combined approach because we don’t use chemical bug spray. We light our citronella tiki torches and utilize our Summer Bug-Repelling Outdoor Blend.

We love using this long-lasting outdoor blend in a diffuser to set the mood, but you can also use it in a continuous spray bottle around the grill and outdoor areas. Here’s a video showing how we multiply the blend and make it into a grill spray. This recipe is great for outdoor spaces and baseboards. 

I always keep a bottle of this Gardener’s Essential Oil Bug Spray in my shed. It includes long-lasting essential oils that keep you pest-free during your entire gardening session! Due to the carrier oil, keep this recipe as a body spray, and avoid spraying it on outdoor spaces. I love this combination because it smells like my garden! I would consider this my “extra-strength” formula.

Gardener's Essential Oil Bug Spray

Author Mama Z

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Quantity

2x4x6x

Ingredients

• 1 ounce Mama Z's Essential Oil Base OR carrier oil of choice*
• 1 tablespoon witch hazel
• 1 teaspoon organic aloe vera gel
• 5 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 4 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 drop thyme essential oil

Supplies

• 2 ounce spray bottle

Instructions

 

• Mix essential oils, aloe, and witch hazel in a spray bottle.
• Add carrier oil. Fasten the lid and shake vigorously.
• To use, spray onto arms and legs and any other skin open to the air before working in the garden.

Notes

*No matter what allergies you may have, there’s a carrier oil that’s right for you.  You can use any or a combination of these:  Avocado, Fractionated Coconut, Grapeseed, Jojoba, Sweet Almond. These are our favorite carrier oils; to see a full list of options, click here.

A Word on Consistency and Customization

Just like perfumes interact with your body chemistry, so do essential oil repellents. If one blend doesn’t work for you, adjust the oils or ratios. With a few variations on hand, you’ll always be prepared.

Looking for home pest control options? Check out how we personalized our floor cleaner with essential oils for pest control to keep out creepy crawlies.

What if you did get mosquito bites, insect stings, or ants? These anti-itch essential oils for bug bite relief will be a huge help, and we show you how to make a simple roll-on for travel-sized convenience.

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