Top 8 Essential Oils for Bug Repellent & Bug Bite Aftercare
Sunny summer days are our favorite time to enjoy the beautiful weather and green lush environment while taking part in a variety of fun outdoors activities. This is the time of year when all of the trees, plants, and flowers are in full bloom and that means that all of the little insects that love those plants are also out in full force. Dealing with insects, especially the biting and stinging variety, can really zap the fun out of a beautiful day spent outdoors.
Many products designed to keep insects away are full of synthetic and unknown ingredients that we may not feel great about using around our families all summer long. Essential oils are an effective and natural tool we can use to help us deal with those pesky insects during the warmer months. Some essential oils have the ability to repel insects to help keep our homes and outdoor areas bug free. Other oils have anti-inflammatory and healing properties that allow them to help soothe sore and itchy bug bites for those insects we just couldn't escape. The best part is, some of our most commonly used and loved essential oils have these great benefits as well as many others that are useful during the summertime.
Here are the top 8 Essential Oils for repelling insects and treating bug bites:
Rosemary essential oil can help to repel insects, especially mosquitos, making it great for keeping them at bay during waterside activities. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to help relieve bug bite pain and swelling and prevent infection.
Citronella essential oil is well known for its ability to keep away insects by working to mask the scents that attract bugs to us while leaving a lemony fresh aroma for us to enjoy.
Cedarwood essential oil as well as the wood from which it is derived have long been used to keep insects at bay. It can help protect stored items such as clothing and linens from damaging moths as well as repelling pesky bugs from our gardens.
Cinnamon essential oil has a strong aroma that works to keep many bugs away, including wasps and spiders. It has also exhibited the potential to kill mosquito larvae as a preventative form of pest control.
Tea tree essential oil is well known for its antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that make it great for keeping bug bites clean and preventing infection. It has the added bonus of working as a good natural insect repellent and insecticide.
Try a few of our favorite recipes using these essential oils for bugs & bites!
"Shoo Fly! Don't Bother Me" Insect Repellent Diffuser Blend
Add these essential oils to your favorite home diffuser and diffuse all around the home, especially near doors and windows. Citronella, peppermint, and lavender essential oils combine to deter flying insects that may sneak through open doors as well as discouraging pests like ants and silverfish.
Ingredients
- 4 drops Citronella Essential Oil
- 3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Instructions
Add water to your diffuser up to the fill line. Add drops of the essential oil blend. This diffuser blend recipe is formulated for a 200ml ultrasonic diffuser. Adjust the amount according to size and directions of your diffuser.
Bug Bite Soother Roll On
Quick relief from the pain and itching of a bug bite is important during summer so we can fully enjoy all of our favorite outdoor activities. A handy roll on remedy with lavender, tea tree, and chamomile essential oils will help to soothe pain and itchiness while easing redness and swelling.
Ingredients
- 10 ml Amber Roll On Bottle
- ⅓ oz Fractionated Coconut Oil
- 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
- 5 drops Chamomile Essential Oil
Instructions
Add all the ingredients to the roll on the bottle and shake well to combine. Roll on to insect bites and stings to combat pain and reduce inflammation.
Be Gone Bug Repellent Spray
When we choose to go out and about in their natural environment, there's no way to completely avoid insects so the best thing we can do is repel them from us personally. Rosemary, citronella, and cedarwood essential oils come together to help keep insects away from us so we can enjoy the outdoors while leaving behind an enjoyably fresh and green aroma.
Ingredients
- 4 oz Amber Glass Bottle with Spray Top
- 2 oz Witch Hazel
- 2 oz Distilled Water
- 20 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 20 drops Citronella Essential Oil
- 20 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
Instructions
Add essential oils and witch hazel to your 4oz glass bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water. Attach the spray top and shake until all the ingredients are well combined. Spray on clothing before going outside to repel insects.