10 Essential Oils You Can Use as Insect Repellent

There’s a reason bugs are called “pests”: they can get in our homes, eat our food, and bother us when we’re outdoors. But if you want to stay natural and keep bugs away, most commercial insect repellents won’t cut it. This is yet another area where essential oils are very helpful.

Here are the best options for use in an essential oil insect repellent.

1. Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lemongrass is loved by many for its pleasing aroma and effect on mood. However, bugs don’t like it—and that’s good news for humans trying to repel them.

Lemongrass essential oil repels a larger variety of bugs than most other single essential oils. A number of essential oil insect repellents use lemongrass. It’s common in lamps, candles, lanterns, tea lights, and other products that protect outdoor areas from pests.

Other ways you can use lemongrass for essential oil insect repellent includes:

• Mixing lemongrass oil with distilled water or rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle for easy use. (Note that undiluted lemongrass oil can cause skin irritation, so make sure it’s mixed with something else. Also, always test a small part of your skin before using on other parts of your body.)
• Adding a few drops to lotions, hand soaps, sunscreens, or other cosmetics for a nice smell and natural repellent for indoor or outdoor pests.
• Mixed with other common essential oils (like the ones below) to create an even more effective repellent.

2. Citronella Essential Oil

Citronella oil works best as an essential oil insect repellent against mosquitoes. It’s made from a mix of herbs and good for natural outdoor coverage.

When citronella is formulated correctly, it can be as effective as DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide), the most common active ingredient in regular insect repellents [1].

The problem with DEET is that it may have a negative or harmful effect on kids, adults, and pets:

• The most commonly reported DEET toxicity symptoms in children, as reported to poison control centers, including lethargy, headaches, involuntary movements or convulsions, and tremors.
• Experts advise those with weakened immune systems, such as children and seniors, be extra careful using DEET products and that long-term or frequent use could cause issues, especially when used with medications or chemicals.
• Plus, DEET is becoming less effective as mosquitoes develop a resistance to it—all the more reason to turni to more natural alternatives.

3. Soybean Essential Oil

Some research show repellent products containing soybean oil can act as a long-lasting mosquito repellent at a similar strength to DEET [2].

Combining soybean oil with other common essential oils, especially lemongrass, also has potential as an insecticide against three mosquito species [3].

4. Cedar Essential Oil

Cedar oil is common in natural insect repellents and as an essential oil insect repellent on its own. It’s been used in pet shampoos and bedding products to help repel fleas, and cedar wood shavings have been used to repel moths from fabric.

This is due to its natural fungicide and bactericide qualities. It also has a pungent aroma that some insects don’t like but that humans find pleasing.

Cedar oil also contains astringent and antiseptic properties, making it a good essential oil for skin too.

5. Peppermint Essential Oil

Most of us love the smell of peppermint essential oil, but bugs do not. This makes it an option for deterring flying insects like flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. You can use it alone or in a blended essential oil insect repellent—bought or homemade.

6. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil can be used as an outdoor bug repellent for humans and dogs when combined with the right other oils. A spray made with lavender, witch hazel, and lemon oil is popular for naturally deterring pests throughout the year.

7. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is probably one of the most well-known essential oils because of its anti-microbial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also shown to be effective as a natural inspect repellent against mosquitoes and other pests [4].

You can use tea tree oil in a homemade DIY spray or look for a natural insect repellent that uses tea tree oil.

Whether you’re hiking, camping, BBQing, or doing anything else with loved ones outdoors, you an essential oil insect spray can help naturally protect you. For a variety of all-natural repellents using the oils listed above, check out our Insect Repellent products here.

Disclaimer: Statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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