Natural DIY Bug Spray For You & Pets

Natural Ways To Keep Fleas & Ticks At Bay

Spring & Summer are headed fast our way and with the beautiful sunny seasons come the not so fun bugs! Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes can be a big pain and can cause many health problems.  All blood sucking insects carry diseases and more and more people and dogs are suffering from Lyme Disease caused by deer ticks.  But why not just buy a bug spray?  Bug sprays contain many chemicals and additives that are not good for your skin or the environment like Deet.  Not to mention it can be much cheaper to make your own as well for a more economical household. 

Essential Oils To Keep Bugs Away

There are a number of essential oils you can add to anything that will help keep bugs away from you and your family, including your family pet.  Remember when using essential oils DO NOT put on skin raw.  Add a carrier oil, honey, or shea butter to dilute as to not cause any skin irritation.

• Bergamot
• Cedarwood
• Citronella
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Lemongrass
• Lemon-Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Sage/Clary Sage
• Sweet Orange

The Magic of Neem Oil

Neem is one of my top favorite oils, even though it can smell like gross peanuts, because it is a miracle worker.  Neem is antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and herpes killer.  Neem can be bought in oil or powder form online or at your local Indian Grocery Store.  Neem can be rubbed directly on the skin or added to a dog shampoo or body soap.  I always add a little neem into any bug spray to keep the bugs away.  

Big Tip: Neem can be added to your sprinkler system water to be sprayed onto the grass to keep ticks, mosquitoes and fleas off of your lawn!!

WARNING: Do not consume if pregnant or possibly pregnant due  to neem's supposed birth control effects. Still okay for external use in pregnant women.

DIY Bug Spray Recipe

I like to get a small spray bottle to put mine in for easy application.  Because we will be mixing water with the oils in order for easy spraying be sure to shake well before use due to the separation of oils and water.

Ingredients:

1. Roughly 2 Tbsp. Non-Comedogenic carrier oil such as Argan, Sunflower, Safflower, etc. (See Comedogenic Oil Scale)
2. 3-5 Drops of at least 3 of the above Essential Oils especially Citronella
3. 3-4 Drops of Neem Oil
4. Fill Rest of Container with Water
5. Shake Well
6. Keep in dark cabinet with regulated temperature for longer lasting.  Adding lemon or honey as well works as a preservative.  

For bigger Spray bottles just double or triple recipe

Enjoy the Sunshine and Keep you and your Pets Safe!