10 Essential Oils That Naturally Repel Mosquito Bites & Other Uses for Essential Oils

The use of flowers, essential oils and other powerful elements that utilize our ability to smell helps us xperience real wellness and can additionally create lasting abundance. Enter into and claim the transformative power of essential oils.

THIEVES ANTIBACTERIAL OIL RECIPE

This recipe is one of my most favorite. I use it in massage oil, diffuser and in a mist spray bottle for my rooms. The history of this essential oil combination is interesting. According to Young Living (a higher quality oil company) this essential oil blend was inspired by the legend of four 15th-century French thieves who formulated and wore a special aromatic combination of clove, rosemary, vinegar, and other botanicals that they believed provided protection while they were stealing. French authorities recognized that there was such value in this mixture that upon the thieves’ capture, they received a more merciful punishment on condition that they divulge the ingredients in their secret formula. I have heard you can tweet this recipe further by adding a citrus such as orange or tangerine and/or adding nutmeg. I have a bodyworker friend who adds lemon, eucalyptus but I like the solid and balanced combination of this recipe. It stands solid for me and I hope you enjoy it.

This recipe is one of my most favorite. I use it in massage oil, diffuser and in a mist spray bottle for my rooms. The history of this essential oil combination is interesting. According to Young Living (a higher quality oil company) this essential oil blend was inspired by the legend of four 15th-century French thieves who formulated and wore a special aromatic combination of clove, rosemary, vinegar, and other botanicals that they believed provided protection while they were stealing. French authorities recognized that there was such value in this mixture that upon the thieves’ capture, they received a more merciful punishment on condition that they divulge the ingredients in their secret formula. I have heard you can tweet this recipe further by adding a citrus such as orange or tangerine and/or adding nutmeg. I have a bodyworker friend who adds lemon, eucalyptus but I like the solid and balanced combination of this recipe. It stands solid for me and I hope you enjoy it.

Ingredients:
40 drops organic Clove Bud essential oil.
35 drops organic Lemon essential oil.
20 drops organic, fair trade Cinnamon Bark essential oil.
15 drops organic Eucalyptus essential oil.
10 drops organic Rosemary essential oil.

Mosquito Repellent DIY
Those of you who love Young Living essential oils, I have done some research for you! There used to be a Young Living Insect Repellent product that resembled a lotion rather than a spray, and it came bottled for somewhere between $40-$50. It looks like this product is currently not distributed anymore as it shows Out of Stock on the YL website.

However, there’s still good information to be had from the YL website, mainly the list of ingredients used to make this insect repellent lotion.

Here is the recipe:

• Carrier Oil is Sesame oil and should be about 89%
  (some choose coconut, sunflower, almond or other oil as the carrier)
• Citronella (6.5%)
• Lemongrass (1.15%)
• Rosemary (1%)
• Geranium (0.5%)
• Spearmint (0.35%)
• Thyme (0.25%)
• Clove (0.25%)
  *Vitamin E (1%)

IN GENERAL HERE ARE OTHER OILS WHICH HELP REPEL MOSQUITOES
10 Essential Oils That Naturally Repel Mosquito Bites

If you are the type of person who loves to spend more time outdoor but are anxious about insect bites, then worry no more! The following ten essential oils are just what you need to protect your skin from awful insect bites while giving you other health benefits. Some of the oils you might already know from different uses around the house. But please familiarize yourself with these 10 oils again as you’ll be using them to make your DIY bug spray at home. See the ten that made the top of the list and find out more about why they are effective:

Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)
Lavender is best known for its positive effects in terms of relaxation and sleep, but what many people don’t know is that it is also an effective essential oil for bug bites and mosquito bites. Moreover, the distinct lavender scent can also be used as an alternative of mothballs to keep moths and other insects away. You can also spray the lavender oil to cleanse bruises, cuts, and wounds, as well as treat skin irritations. Out of all the essential oils, lavender is considered to be the most versatile oil as it offers a lot of other benefits.

Peppermint (Mentha Piperita)
If you are worried about essential oils having strong smells, then you ought to try the peppermint oil instead. You can use this essential oil as an insect repellent while leaving your skin a minty and clean smell. Peppermint has a natural insect repellent property and the ability to relieve indigestion.
Other benefits of peppermint oil include relief from colds and cough, headache, and sore muscles. It also improves your mental alertness while helping you feel less anxious and less stressed. Shop for pure, undiluted Peppermint oil whenever possible.

Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
Basil is not just a great addition to your mouth-watering recipes, but it is also a proven natural insect repellent. One study¹ revealed that basil contains high levels of larvicide. It is a type of insecticide which specifically targets the larvae stage of insects. This sweet and spicy smelling oil is commonly used in battling against mosquito bites.

Pine (Pinus Slvestris)
Are you obsessed with the distinct smell of pine? Then pine oil is the perfect match for you. Apparently, a group of scientists discovered the repellent effect of pine oils, especially against mosquito bites. Like other essential oils, pine oil is also proven to be more effective as compared to using the synthetic chemical repellents.

Lemon Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Citriodora)
This lemon-scented gum tree is a favorite insect repellent. The lemon eucalyptus’ oil, which is extracted from the leaves, is one example of prominent essential oils for mosquito bites. It also effectively protects the skin from tick bites and can last up to several hours.

Vetiver (Vetiveria Zizanoides)
This perennial grass is abundant in India and Indonesia. While it is commonly known as an excellent source of industrial materials, vetiver surprisingly has a lot more to offer. Aside from being used as a primary material in making baskets and mats, it is also used as a natural mosquito repellent. The woody and earthy smell of the oil can also effectively calm and relieve stress.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
Tea tree extract is popular in the beauty industry as an antibacterial active ingredient to treat pimples and acne, but it does not stop there. Tea tree oil not only has an antifungal ability, but it can also protect and soothe painful bites from mosquitoes and bugs. Tea tree is a very common oil and sometimes can even be found in the drugstore section of your market.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus)
The effectiveness of lemongrass as a mosquito repellent has been the subject of a lot of studies recently. It is because the lemongrass is highly associated to C. Nardus wherein the citronella mosquito repellent was derived. True enough, lemongrass oil also contains insecticidal properties that repel mosquitoes and other insects. If you don’t already have lemongrass in your medicine cabinet for other reasons (such as home cleaning), I’d definitely recommend adding this very versatile oil to your collection soon.

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)
Mosquito bites can be irritating, especially if they keep on coming back, hoping to get a good taste of your skin. If you are looking for an efficient repellent to reduce mosquito activity but want it to be natural and safe, then Thyme oil is an excellent choice. A group of researchers in Ontario found that applying thyme oil on your skin discourages the mosquitoes from sticking around.

Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)
While catnip is popularly used for commercial purposes and is something very addicting for cats, this perennial herb has proven to offer more than just house adornment and fresh minty smell. Catnip is also an excellent repellent for insects like mosquitoes and cockroaches. Up to this day, several studies have been conducted to unveil the mystery behind catnip’s repellent property. However, even though no concrete explanation has been released yet, some researchers can’t deny catnip essential oil’s impressive insect repellent property.Chris Peterson, an entomologist from Iowa State University, said that it is possible that catnip might merely act as an irritant or mosquitoes simply don’t like the smell, but catnip essential oil has an undeniable repellent ability that keeps the mosquitoes away.

How to Make A Mosquito Bug Spray With Essential Oils At Home
Essential oil mosquito repellent

I recommend a blue or amber spray bottle for essential oils. Using a combination of the oils listed above (or what you have at home already), get the following supplies to make your own bug spray at home:

Fill a spray bottle 1/2 full with distilled or boiled water. Some areas, like mainland USA put fluoride in their water and boiling can increase its potency. For this reason distilled water, witch hazel, vinegar or vodka may work better than tap water. The reason an amber bottle vs. a regular plastic one is much better for use with essential oils as it keeps your essential oils safe by protecting them from UV light. Plus, the glass is not affected by strong oils like citrus, whereas plastic reacts to citrus oils and it is not recommended to use citrus oils together with plastics. If you don't have amber go ahead and use what is available to you. When you can upgrade to amber or blue.

Add witch’s hazel to fill almost to the top. You want to leave some room to add oils.

Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin (optional). This helps add a consistency that works well. I usually don't add this.

Add 30-50 drops of the essential oils listed above to achieve your desired scent. The more oils you use, the stronger your bug spray will be. Test out lower amounts so as to have a more mild effect on your own wellness. Build up if you need more effectiveness. Many times a few drops can go a long ways and work wonders.

Use your homemade essential oil bug spray as needed throughout the day. Tweak your mosquito repellent’s scent by playing with different combinations of essential oils – starting with something where you already have the oils at home. That’s always the most economical. Then order one or two additional oils to add to your stock and start making different blends.

Recap and More Ideas:
Some people will use vinegar, or vodka instead of witch hazel. For those making air freshing sprays or those to uplift energies try each out and see what works best for you. Some use custom spray mixes to add to their laundry loads also. Try different uses for your sprays and find oil combinations that support you. A little research online will yield many great recipes to uplift, relax or even help with wellness issues. Carrier oils you can use: Sesame, Avocado, Joloba, Sunflower, Coconut, Almond, vegetable. If you are making a mixture for the skin or for massage coconut, sunflower combination with about 2% essential oil (s) works well. What this means is that 90-97% of the mixture will be JUST the carrier oil.

For your inspiration, here are bug spray essential oil blends that I’ve mixed and liked:

• 10 drops of Lemongrass + 10 drops of Lemon Eucalyptus + 5 drops Tea Tree + 5 drops of Basil
• 25 drops of Lavender + 25 drops of Peppermint
• 10 drops of Lemon Eucalyptus + 10 drops of Vetiver + 10 drops of Basil

Essential oils can be used for sprays, for cleaning, for bath, spa or massage, and even for air diffusers. I sometimes will fold a paper towel and place it in a small ziplock bag. From here I add witch hazel or coconut oil and a few drops of essential oil. Zip it shut and then take with me when I leave the house. Opening this up and letting it sit in my car gives me a natural pick me up while driving. Find the many uses of oils that help support your health and lifestyle. Because the smells of life are important!